This year’s competition saw a record number of entries from around the globe. This diversity is found in our list of winning wines, with 13 countries represented in the final results (Georgia included!). B.C. again led the charge with 28 winners, showing that our local heroes have never tasted better. Even with slightly higher price tags, their quality and regional expression is undeniable. The complete list of winners include a wide array of styles and tastes, and shows that you can find value anywhere on the price spectrum. Drink up!
The Judging Process
Our judges were divided into four teams, each with a facilitator. Flights of wine were organized by style and price. Wines were tasted blind on a like-with-like basis. Winners were chosen by consensus; judges collectively decided which wines represented the best quality and value. The four panels united for a playoff of all category winners. Our Best in Show? The DeAngelis Marche Rosso Anghelos IGT 2007.
The Winners
The Judges
Camille Blanchard Senior Store Manager, Liberty Wine Merchants
Michelle Bouffard Co-owner, House Wine
Geoff Boyd Director of Bar Development, Joey Restaurant Group
Christina Burridge Drink Editor, Vancouver magazine
Sid Cross Taster, educator, journalist
Mark Davidson Department Head, International Sommelier Guild
Park Heffelfinger Co-owner, Memphis Blues BBQ House
DJ Kearney Chief judge, sommelier, instructor, journalist, consultant
Kurtis Kolt Wine director, journalist, consultant
Judith Lane Food, wine, and travel journalist
Tim Pawsey Food and wine journalist
Barbara Philip MW, BCLDB, and Barbariain Wine Consulting
Iain Philip Senior Wine Instructor, Art Institute of Vancouver
Rhys Pender Owner, Wineplus
Mark Shipway Administrator, WSET wine program, Art Institute of Vancouver
Mark Taylor Owner/sommelier, Cru Restaurant
Andrea Vescovi Sommelier, Blue Water Cafe
BACK ROOM STAFF
Dee Anand, Christine Coletta, Steve Dimond, Rachelle Goudreau, Pat Hake, Kimberley Hall, Roger Maniwa, Celia McBride, Mik Piltz, Julian Scholefield, Tish Thibault
THANK YOU
Special thanks to the Vancouver Club for hosting our three-day competition
