Judges
The WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (NWAC) is judged by some of Canada’s most respected wine experts. The judging panel is comprised of some of Canada’s leading wine writers, journalists, sommeliers, buyers and industry professionals. The competition also seeks out new and emerging talent in the industry to be part of the panel. This blend of experience and enthusiasm, brought by judges from many regions across Canada, ensures a comprehensive view of the wine world’s most current state.
You can follow the 2013 NWAC and our judges tweets from start to finish on Twitter @WineAlign and look for the hashtag #NWAC2013 .
Our Judging Process
All competition wines are blind-tasted and judged in categories according to varietal or style, not by region, using the same 100-point system as used by WineAlign.
Our panels consists of Canada’s top wine writers, educators and judges who taste wine from around the world and across Canada. There are no Canadian winemakers on the panel.
The judging is overseen by WineAlign principal critics and partners Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason.
If you would like a sample of the scoring guidelines, please contact Competition Director Steve Thurlow Steve@WineAlign.com
Each wine earning the requisite points will get a medal.
Exceptional wines among those scoring 90 points or more will be awarded a Platinum medal.
Gold medals = 90 – 100 points
Silver medals = 88 – 89 points
Bronze medals = 87 points
The 2013 Judges (in no particular order)
Anthony Gismondi
British Columbia
Co-Head Judge
WineAlign, Vancouver Sun
Follow on Twitter @TheSpitter
David Lawrason
Ontario
Co-Head Judge
WineAlign, Toronto Life, Ottawa Magazine
Follow on Twitter @DavidLawrason
Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson
Manitoba
Winnipeg Free Press
Follow on Twitter @BenSigurdson
Bill Zacharkiw
Quebec
WineAlign, Montreal Gazette
Follow on Twitter @BillZacharkiw
Craig Pinhey
New Brunswick
CBC Radio, New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal
Follow on Twitter @frogspadca
DJ Kearney
British Columbia
Wine and Spirits Education Trust
Follow on Twitter @djwines
Gurvinder Bhatia
Alberta
Edmonton Journal
Follow on Twitter @EdmontonWineGuy
Janet Dorozynski
Ontario
WineAlign and
Global Practice Lead – Canadian Wine at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Follow on Twitter @WineTrackMind
Jessica Bryans
British Columbia
Beverage Purchasing Manager for the Joey Restaurant Group
Follow on Twitter @JessicaBryans
John Szabo
Ontario
WineAlign, City Bites
Follow on Twitter @JohnSzabo
Margaret Swaine
Ontario
WineAlign, National Post, Gault Millau
Follow on Twitter @GlobalTaster
Nadia Fournier
Quebec
Le Guide Du Vin, Guide du vin Chroniqueuse, L’actualité, Libre-Service on MAtv
Follow on Twitter @NadiaFournier
Rémy Charest
Quebec
Palate Press, The Wine Case, CJAD 800AM
Follow on Twitter @RemyCharest
Rhys Pender
British Columbia
Wine Plus+
Follow on Twitter @WinePlus
Sara D’Amato
Ontario
WineAlign
Follow on Twitter @SaradAmato
Steve Thurlow
Ontario
Competition Director
WineAlign, Wine for Life, IWEG
Follow on Twitter @SteveOnWine
Tom Firth
Alberta
Cowtown Wine, City Palate Magazine, Avenue Calgary
Follow on Twitter @CowtownWine
Treve Ring
British Columbia
EAT Magazine, Sip
Follow on Twitter @Treve_Ring
Questions or comments? Contact us: Awards@WineAlign.com