And the Winner is...

A listing of all 103 bottles selected in our third annual international wine competition.

To check product availability in BC Liquor Stores, click here. Note: This symbol * indicates a restricted listing (bottles that are only available from private wine stores and winery shops).

BEST IN SHOW

Nk'Mip Pinot Noir 2005, B.C. $21.99 +626424. Click here for details.

SPARKLING WINE

Best of Category: Codorniu Cuvée Raventos, Spain $19.99 +521773
A delicious, distinctively Spanish wine with extra finesse.

Bottega Petalo Vino del Amore Moscato, Italy $17.99 +580993
Miraculously floral, and delightfully not too sweet.

Codorniu Pinot Noir Brut, Spain $19.99 +104034
New Wave Spanish sparkler with Pinot Noir backbone.

Deinhard Lila Imperial Riesling Brut, Germany $13.99 +159558
Old standby seems to get better every year. Outrageously good value.

Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut, Washington $19.99 +398198
Awesome bargain from Washington.

Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut, California $29.99 +192898
Like a cool breeze off the bay.

Lanson Black Label Brut, France $49.99 +41889
Unbeatable Champagne value.

Louis Roederer Brut Premier, France $61.95 +268771
The definition of elegance.

Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs, California $39.99 +195529 *
Stunning value from the Napa Valley.

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Spain $14.99 +158493
Super dependable Cava—tastes like $20.

Sumac Ridge Steller’s Jay Brut 2002, B.C. $24.99 +264879
B.C.’s classic bubble.

Valdo Prosecco, Italy $19.99 +550111
Super stylish less-is-more Italian fizz.


LIGHT WHITE

Best of category: Dr. Loosen Riesling Dr. L 2005 Germany $16.95 +599274
How’s this for too-good-to-be-true: it’s Riesling, it’s German, it’s fun and it’s eminently affordable.

Alliance Loire Saumur les Pouches 2005, France $15.99 +284968
Steely, sophisticated Chenin Blanc at a great price.

Cave Spring Riesling Off Dry 2005 Ontario $18.99 +234583
Niagara really excels at Riesling, and it doesn’t get better than this.

Chateau de Chasseloir
Muscadet Sur Lie 2005, France $19.25 +107862
Old-school Muscadet with plenty of depth.

Cono Sur Gewürztraminer 2005 Chile $10.99 +494708
Great Gewürz flavour, killer price.

Hardys Stamp Series Riesling Traminer 2005, Australia $9.99 +448548
Heaps of fruit for cheap. A real steal at $9.99.

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan, Viognier Private Reserve 2005 B.C. $15.99 +593129 *
Captivating tropical aromas—floral, exotic, exciting.

Laurenz und Sophie Singing Grüner Veltliner 2005, Austria $19.99 +458034
Deliciously tangy and crisp.

Peter Lehmann Weighbridge Chardonnay 2005, Australia $13.99 +611434
Big time Aussie flavour, bargain price.

Quails’ Gate Riesling Limited Release 2005 B.C. $15.99 +308312
Classic, “Best of B.C.” floral/green apple/mineral aromas and flavours.

Summerhill Pyramid Winery Ehrenfelser 2005, B.C. $18.95 +440016 Organic
Charming, delicate “walk in the woods” floral fragrance.

Quails’ Gate Chenin Blanc Limited Release 2005, B.C. $18.99 +391854
Crisp, fresh and lively with peach, grapefruit and mineral complexity.

Tantalus Riesling 2005, B.C. $19.90 +589036 *
Serious Okanagan Riesling with a zap of lemon in the finish.

Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Chile $13.99 +602649
Juicy melon and gooseberry flavours from cool-climate Casablanca.

Wild Goose Riesling God’s Mountain 2005, B.C. $16.95 +305391
Top single-vineyard Riesling from the South Okanagan. What a bargain!

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Riesling 2005 Australia $14.99 +528216
Aussie Riesling par excellence.

MEDIUM WHITE

Best of Category: Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2006 New Zealand $22.95 +493619
Layers of textbook herbaceousness, lime, gooseberry and stoniness combine and linger, seemingly forever.

Yellow Tail Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2005, Australia $12.99 +366151
Classic Aussie lemony/grapefruit flavour, and very well-priced.

Casas del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Chile $18.15 +740878
Big generous mouthful of ripe melony fruit.

Church and State Chardonnay Church Mouse 2005, B.C. $17.99 +762401 *
Great first effort from new Vancouver Island winery.

Sumac Ridge Sauvignon Blanc Black Sage 2005, B.C. $16.99 +986505 *
A buttery, toasty take on Okanagan Sauvignon. Full of flavour.

Cono Sur Viognier 2006, Chile $10.99 +566836
World’s best value Viognier?

Gallo Turning Leaf Chardonnay 2004 California $11.99 +409805
Very dependable buttery/tropical California Chard.

Evans and Tate Chardonnay Margaret River 2005, Australia $22.99 +379149
Lively lemony Chard from cool-climate Western Australia.

Golden Mile Chardonnay No Wood 2005 B.C. $15.90 +493106 *
Chablis-like crispness and purity. A steal at $15.90.

Gray Monk Pinot Gris 2005, B.C. $15.99 +118638
B.C.’s very first Pinot Gris—better than ever.

Hogue Pinot Grigio 2004, Washington $13.49 +624486
Refreshing, easy-going peachy/citrusy Pinot Grigio.

Inniskillin Okanagan Pinot Grigio Reserve 2005, B.C. $15.49 +989368
Pure Okanagan fruit—like a crisp, juicy apple.

Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio 2005 Italy $15.49 +312801
Very Italian: almond-like nuttiness and citrus-peel tartness.

Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2006, New Zealand $16.99 +324095
Classic cool-climate Kiwi Sauvignon.

Nk’Mip Pinot Blanc 2005, B.C. $15.99 +626432
Exciting anytime, anywhere B.C. white.

Sandhill Pinot Blanc 2005, B.C. $16.99 +541185
As Okanagan as they come—honey, peach and sage.

Sumac Ridge Black Sage Pinot Blanc 2005, B.C. $15.99 +393728
Impressive toasty, oaky, vanilla and spice flavours.

RICH WHITE

Best of Category: Saintsbury Chardonnay Carneros 2004, California $35.99 +359281
Delicious now, this wine will continue to develop and age gracefully.

Argiolas Nuragus di Cagliari S’elegas 2005 Italy $19.99 +457929
Very classy Sardinian white.

Beringer Chardonnay Napa 2004 California $24.99 +348342
A California classic. Consistently great.

Cusumano Insolia 2005, Italy $17.99 +141242
Beautiful Mediterranean flavours—lemon blossoms and herbs.

Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina 2005, Italy $27.99 +634907
Rich, luxurious citrus/honey/mineral flavours from Southern Italy.

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Chardonnay Grand Reserve 2005 B.C. $19.99 +572065
Another blockbuster from J-T. Tons of flavour.

La Crema Chardonnay 2004, California $33.99 +366948
Supremely well balanced and very complex.

St. Hallett Poacher’s Blend 2006 Australia $12.99 +535963
Anytime Aussie shrimp-on-the-barbie screwtop sipper.

Township 7 Chardonnay Reserve 2004, B.C. $24.90 +34579 *
Unbelievably complex wine for the price. Bravo.

Vina Chilcaya Chardonnay 2005 Chile $11.99 +119917
Stunning newcomer from Chile. Amazing value.

SAKE

Sake Hitosuji Junmai Koshu Vintage Sake 1998, Japan $26.63 +256800
Last year Hitosuji Junmai vintage sake completely bowled over our judges. This year was a repeat performance. Junmai is traditional artisan sake made from specially milled pure rice.
It is never heated, and should be shown the same respect as the finest wine. This is amazingly refined and complex, with spectacular, long-lasting honeyed and nutty flavours.


ROSE

Best of Category: Joie Pinot Noir Rosé 2005, B.C. $18.40 +255000 *
Snappy blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from one of the Okanagan’s ever-growing brigade of boutique wineries.

Marques de Caceres Rosado 2005, Spain $14.99 +361188
Unspeakably pretty—and it tastes as good as it looks.

LIGHT RED

Best of Category: Nk’Mip Pinot Noir 2005, B.C. $21.99 +626424 *and Best in Show. Click here for details.

Finca Luzon Jumilla 2005, Spain $14.99 +384438 Organic
The perfect blend of Old World funky earthiness and rich blackberry fruit.

Bodegas Palacio Glorioso Crianza 2003, Spain $16.99 +361469
Archetypal Rioja—sweet oak + raspberries + cream.

Castillo de Monséran Garnacha 2004 Spain $9.99 +197806
Monster bargain—lovely honeyed, herbal, plumy fruit.

Peller Estates Pinot Noir Private Reserve 2005, B.C. $16.99 +618314
Peller kicks it up a notch—this is fresh, juicy, gulpable Pinot.

Quails’ Gate Pinot Noir Family Reserve 2004 B.C. $39.99 +639658
Very serious Pinot Noir—layers of cherry/spice/mineral complexity.

Tohu Pinot Noir Marlborough 2004 New Zealand $32.99 +885
Super stylish Kiwi screwtop Pinot.

Finca Los Primos Malbec 2005 Argentina $9.95 +632919
Classic Argentinian red: mellow, round, and smooth. A great buy.

MEDIUM RED

Best of Category: Vasse Felix Shiraz Adams Road 2004 Australia $24.99 +324038
Fantastic value from the ultra-fashionable region of Margaret River in Western Australia.

Baron Philippe de Rothschild Escudo Rojo 2004, Chile $19.95 +577155
Distinguished Rothschild red blend from Chile.

Casas del Bosque Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2004 Chile $23.93 +153528
Chilean Cab with attitude—sassy fruit, muscular structure.

Deen de Bortoli Petit Verdot Vat 4 2004
Australia $17.99 +80358 Explosive fruit, layers of spice, mouthfilling creamy texture.

De Bortoli Petite Sirah dB Selection Australia $11.99 +336750
Heaven-sent house red! An incredible steal.

DeAngelis Anghelos Marche Rosso 2003, Italy $36.16 +626259
Seriously sophisticated Mediterranean red.

La Vieille Ferme Cotes du Ventoux 2004, France $13.99 +263640 Organic
Delightfully juicy red blend from Southern France.

Hungerford Hill Shiraz Viognier Fishcage 2004, Australia $16.99 +204362
Gorgeous label, sensible screwcap, supremely tasty juice.

Tormaresca Paiara Negroamaro 2003 italy $10.99 +378182
Hip and delicious Negroamaro from up-and-coming Puglia.

Penny’s Black Chook Shiraz Viognier 2005, Australia $19.95 +171991
Velvety Shiraz/Viognier co-ferment from McLaren Vale.

Ruffino Il Ducale Toscana 2003 Italy $19.99 +872572
Aristocratic, benchmark Chianti from a classic estate.

Twin Fin Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 California $14.99 +343640
Mellow, fruity wine in a sensational package.

RICH RED

Best of Category: Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Shiraz Proprietor’s Grand Reserve 2004, B.C. $25.99 +732172
Magically combines Old World (smoky, gamey, herbal) and New World (fresh, fruity) characteristics.

Bonterra Vineyards Syrah 2003, California $21.99 +573709 Organic
Pristine Syrah from Mendocino County. Organics make the difference here.

CedarCreek Cabernet Sauvignon Platinum Reserve 2004, B.C. $44.99 +607234
A B.C. classic. Plush, richly oaked.

Cusumano Syrah 2004, Italy $17.99 +15479
Outrageously smooth and rich Syrah from the hottest name in Sicily.

Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel 2004 California $19.95 +297929
Buy it for the sensational old vine fruit—or just for the name.

Duckhorn Decoy Napa Valley Red Wine 2002, California $54.95 +394429 *
Elegant, concentrated, rich and multi-layered. A classic Napa thoroughbred.

Hogue Merlot Genesis 2002, Washington $19.99 +349415
Full-bodied Washington State Merlot with crowd-pleasing moves.

Glen Carlou Syrah 2004, South Africa $29.99 +153841
A show-stopper from Paarl. Dense Syrah fruit and ripe silky tannins.

Penfolds Shiraz Kalimna Bin 28 2003, Australia $34.99 +422782
Ripe, juicy seductive Shiraz. Echoes of Grange for a song.

Jacobs Creek Shiraz Reserve 2003, Australia $20.49 +556696
Serious value for reserve quality level. Lots of peppery flavour.

Peter Lehmann Shiraz Eight Songs Barossa 2001, Australia $48.88 +135558
A small price to pay for hedonistic spicy fruit and powerful structure.

Sandhill Small Lots Three 2003, B.C. $29.99 +55574
Audacious blend of Italian and French grapes from one of B.C.’s top vineyards.

Sumac Ridge Meritage Black Sage Vineyard 2004, B.C. $25.00 +985523 *
Larger than life, heavyweight, “Order of Canada” wine.

Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, California $24.99 +335794
Quintessential Napa Cab.

Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise, 2004 Australia $17.99 +19935
Barbie-friendly red blend at wallet-friendly price.

Wolf Blass Cabernet Sauvignon Premium Selection 2003, Australia $29.99 +321927
This epic wine always delivers.

Zunio Zinfandel 2003 California $13.99 +189993
Gobs of mulberry fruit, serious spice, ridiculous value. What are you waiting for?


DESSERT

Best of Category: Bodegas Castaño Monastrell Dulce 2001 Spain $26.95 +43562
Super-concentrated blackberry and dried raisin flavours with caramel, toffee, and chocolate undertones.

Concha y Toro Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2002, Chile $14.95 +1628
Dazzling honeycomb and lemony crisp sweet sipper.

Fabiano Rugola Recioto della Valpolicella 2001, Italy $39.09 +134817
Gargantuan, complex fruity/savoury flavours for aged cheese or meditazione.

Kermode Himalayan Blackberry Port 2005, B.C. $24.95 +855403 *
A unique regional specialty—pure B.C. summer flavour.

Peller Estates Private Reserve Trinity Icewine 2005, B.C. $49.99 +199752
Refreshingly balanced and stylish icewine from the Okanagan, with classic B.C. apricot, apple and honey flavours.

Raven Ridge Granny Smith Cider 2005 B.C. $35.65 +61903 *
A moderately sweet, lightly spirited cider with intense tangy apple flavour.

FORTIFIED

Best of Category: Hardys Whiskers Blake Tawny Port NV Australia $24.99 +478537
A delicious, super-concentrated raisiny elixir.

Quinta do Noval Late Bottled Vintage Port 1999, Portugal $31.99 +570374
The real deal from the Douro valley. Drink now or for years to come.

BACK TO WINE AWARDS

Read more in the Wine Awards guide:

The Year in Wine: A look at the top wine trends from 2006
Show-Stopping Bargains: All our winners are great buys, but these six elicit special mention.