Anthony Gismondi: B.C. ruled the roost at WineAlign National Wine Awards

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The 20th WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada results are final. Today we look at the top-10 B.C. wineries ranked by scores from among Canada’s top 25 wineries entering a minimum of five wines, not including icewine.

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La Frenz (No. 1 B.C., No. 2 Canada) and Best Performing Small Winery of the Year earned two platinum, six gold, five silver and seven bronze medals. Jeff and Niva Martin repeat their 2017 wine with daughter Elise Martin in charge of growing the grapes. The good news in 2021 is the many star wines, including the outstanding N/V Liqueur Muscat, 2019 Reserve Ensemble, the 2019 Chardonnay Reserve, the 2018 Cabernets Rockyfeller Vineyard and the 2020 Riesling Clone 21B Freedom 75 Vineyard. The bad news is most are sold out. So you will need to get in line for next year now.

Blasted Church Vineyards (No. 2 B.C.; No. 3 Canada) have quietly resurrected themselves under winemaker Evan Saunders. In all, the Skaha Bench winery grabbed two platinum, six gold, five silver and 11 bronze medals led by the 2019 Big Bang Theory and the 2019 Cabernet Franc. Other bright lights included the 2017 Nectar of the Gods, the 2018 Cabernet Merlot and 2088 Small Blessings Malbec. So watch for this winery in the coming years to continue to press the competition across the Okanagan.

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Road 13 (No. 3 B.C.; No. 6 Canada) continued its top 25 finishes with one platinum, three gold, three silver and five bronze medals. Under the steady hand of winemaker Barclay Robinson, the Rhone-focused winery scored big with its 2019 GSM and 2019 Syrah Malbec. There was equal love for the 2020 Cabernet Merlot and 2019 Jackpot Malbec. Look for a total winery refit to begin next year, adding more lustre.

Quails’ Gate Estate (No. 4 B.C.; No. 7 Canada) had a solid showing grabbing one platinum, three gold, eight silver and four bronze medals. With a major East Kelowna project set to come on stream, the West Kelowna winery will control all its fruit sources moving forward. Some personal favourites that wowed the judges include 2019 Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay, 2019 Richard’s Block Pinot Noir, the 2019 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay and 2018 The Boswell Syrah.

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Mission Hill Family Estate (No. 5 B.C.; No. 8 Canada) grabbed six gold, eight silver and five bronze medals. The famous winery on the hill continues to set standards as its multiple vineyard sources head for complete organic certification. Look for even more innovation under new chief winemaker Corrie Kreibhl as she puts her stamp on the property. Top picks include 2017 Legacy Collection Quatrain, 2019 Legacy Collection Perpetua, 2019 Terroir Collection Vista’s Edge Cabernet Franc, 2017 Legacy Collection Compendium and the Mission Hill 2020 Reserve Pinot Gris.

Nk’Mip Cellars (No. 6 B.C.; No. 10 Canada), under winemaker Justin Hall, took home five gold, four silver and seven bronze medals continuing to add to its legacy of consistent performances at The Nationals. The unique, First Nations winery is well worth a visit, as is a patio lunch. Wines to look for are 2018 Qwam Qwmt Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019 Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay, 2019 Mer’r’iym Red Meritage, 2018 Qwam Qwmt Syrah Syrah/Shiraz and 2020 Mer’r’iym White Meritage.

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Meyer Family Vineyards (No. 7 B.C.; No. 11 Canada) had an impressive strike rate entering seven wines and taking home seven medals. The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir specialist is hitting on all cylinders at the moment. Look for any following stars: 2019 Tribute Series Chardonnay Old Main Rd, 2019 Chardonnay McLean Creek Road, 2019 Micro Cuvee Chardonnay McLean Creek.

Maverick Estate Winery (No. 8 B.C.; No. 12 Canada) had also had a good strike rate with eight entries and eight medals, including one platinum, two gold, three silver and two bronze medals. Top picks of winemaker Andrew Windsor are 2019 Bush Vine Syrah, 2020 Amber Pinot Gris and the 2019 Rubeus Red Blends.

SpearHead Winery (No. 9 B.C.; No. 13 Canada) took home four gold, five silver and four bronze medals. Winemaker Grant Stanley is settled into the East Kelowna winery making refined Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, including 2018 Coyote Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2019 Riesling, 2019 Saddle Block Pinot Noir and 2019 Coyote Vineyard Pinot Noir.

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Painted Rock (No. 10 B.C.; No. 14 Canada) makes two Skaha Bench wineries in the top 10 with four gold, four silver and five bronze medals. The top four picks are 2019 Cabernet Franc, 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 Merlot and 2019 Skaha Bench Chardonnay.

You can read the full results at winealign.com/awards .

Weekend wine picks

Quartz & Yarrow Sustainable White 2020, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada 

$35.99 I 87/100

UPC: 696852012485

Quartz and Yarrow reference two biodynamic preparations, although the Similkameen fruit used in this wine is sustainably farmed in the Similkameen Valley. The wine is mostly Chardonnay, and it presents with creamy yellow apple and a hit of honey. The style is a bit blousy, more California/Rhone white, but a salty mineral finish tightens up the finish. A solid first effort.

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M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2019, Rhone Valley, France 

$19.99 I 89/100

UPC: 03391181110136

Belleruche is classic Chapoutier, biodynamically farmed, vinified in concrete and stainless steel to better showcase the fruit and add texture. The blend is 80/20 Grenache/Syrah from grapes drawn from across the appellation. Year in and year out, it is one of the best value blends in the market and 2019 is no exception. Round, medium-bodied, and packed full of red and black fruits, it’s flecked with fresh pepper, a scrub of Garrigue, and a touch of youthful tannins. Stock up.

Lake Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Sonoma County, California, United States 

$28.99 I 89/100

UPC: 729188948088

West Kelowna is home to the Stewart Family wine fortune at Quails’ Gate, but they also have expanded to California as the Lake Sonoma brand owners. It has cabernet style and weight right off the hop, flashing dark, ripe cassis with plenty of spice and toasted oak from the barrels. I like that the tannins are rich and dense but not hard, and they finish Sonoma savoury with just a hint of dryness. Decant and drink, or cellar for another three years. Think grilled beef for best results now.

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De Martino Legado Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Valle del Maipo, Chile 

$28.99 I 91/100

UPC: 7804395000286

The Legado wines come from highly selected vineyard parcels that reflect the essence of their origin via the wine’s intensity, character, and elegance. First up, this intense red comes in at a comfortable 13.5 per cent alcohol. The winemaking is mostly standard: destemmed and sorted grapes fermented in stainless steel, aged one year in French barriques. Expect ripe blueberry, black cherry with a strong cigar leaf undercurrent. The lush, smooth textures fill out the finish with impressive intensity and length. Select private wine shops only.

Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Sangiovese — Canaiolo Nero 2018, Tuscany, Italy 

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$43.99 I 91/100

UPC: 08032049113023

Two Chianti Classico vineyards joined together in the 1950s to form what is now called Isole e Olena. The wines are made under the watchful eye of Paolo de Marchi, a.k.a. Mr. Sangiovese. Marchi adds a bit of Canaiolo and Syrah to shape this delicious 2018 Sangiovese that spends a year in large casks, leaving little evidence of wood other than a fullness in the mouth. It hits the palate with a mix of black cherries and raspberries, dusted with pipe tobacco, smoke and a spicy finish. So make your favourite ragu and get ready for a night in Tuscany that would make the natives jealous.

Recipe match: Crispy fried brussels sprouts

This delicious side dish, Created by Bryan Satterford, the chef and co-owner of Juke Fried Chicken, Ribs & Cocktail Bar , sees a sweet lemon-and-savoury lemon vinaigrette added into the mix with the fall-favourite vegetable Brussels sprouts.

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Crispy fried brussels sprouts

3/4 lb (12 oz) Brussels sprouts

Preserved lemon vinaigrette (recipe below)

2 tbsp (30 mL) Canola or grapeseed oil

Crispy garnish of your choice

Clean the Brussels sprouts by trimming their stems and cleaning off any loose excess leaves. Cut each in half lengthwise (or quarters if very large).

Place a heathy amount of oil in a large thick bottom frying pan on medium high heat. Once oil is hot place the Brussels in cut side down in the pan. Allow to slowly cook on the sliced side until golden and crispy.

Be sure to manage your heat, the trick is to have the pieces of sprouts cook all the way through while cooking only on the one side. So, if the heat is too high, the sprouts will brown too fast but be raw in the middle. If the heat is too low or you over crowd your pan, you will simply steam your sprout and it will take forever to finish cooking without any colour.

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If you are preparing a large amount, cook in batches and keep finished sprouts warm in a low oven.

Once all the Brussels sprouts are cooked toss with the vinaigrette to your taste. Finish your Brussels sprouts with any crispy garnish you like. Seasoned nuts, seeds, toasted breadcrumbs, crushed Ritz crackers or potato chips etc.

Preserved lemon vinaigrette

1 whole preserved lemon, seeds removed, either store-bought or homemade

3 tsp (15 mL) anchovy paste

5 tbsp (75 mL) confit or roasted garlic

1/2 + 2 tbsp (150 mL) fish sauce

1 1/2 tsp (7.5 mL) chili flakes

1 garlic cloves

3/4 cup + 1 tbsp (200 mL) lemon juice

1/8 cup + 1tbsp (45 mL) white wine

1 1/4 cup (310 mL) olive oil

1/2 cup (125 mL) granulated sugar

Place all ingredients minus the oil in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth and uniformed. Slowly drizzle oil while the blender is running to make an emulsified dressing. Adjust the dressing to your taste, it should be a balance of salty/sweet/spicy and salty. The remainder of the dressing can be kept for 3-4 days in the fridge.

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Recipe match

Brussels sprouts with a preserved lemon vinaigrette should be a fun pairing with fresh salty white wine. 

Imbzzl Fast Double Cross Pinot Gris 2020, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $21.49

As a Pinot Gris, this joins a long list of ripe and slightly tart editions in the market. Nectarine notes lead pear/apple fruit with a citrus ending. Ready to drink. Serve with creamy pasta dishes to the best effect.

Sartarelli Classico Verdicchio 2019, Marche, Italy $21.99 

A light, straw yellow colour previews a delightful white wine seemingly built for the west coast table. The Verdicchio grape is a fun journey yielding tight, grassy green apple, crunchy pear, and green melon flecked with melon and tangerine rind with a delicate citrus current flowing through the wine.