Judgement BC Winners
The Wines of British Columbia were put to the ultimate test at the final Judgment of BC on Tuesday, October 29, where special guest and wine expert Steven Spurrier joined 32 top wine professionals from around the world and across the country to take part in a full-day, blind tasting of 24 of BC's celebrated grape varieties; Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah against 16 international benchmarks.
The following BC wineries took home top prizes in their categories. Arrowleaf Cellars ranked first among the Pinot Noir flight. Meyer Family Vineyards came in first for the flight of Chardonnay, with 50th Parallel Estate Winery in close second. For the Riesling flight, CedarCreek Winery came in second with St. Hubertus and Oak Bay Estate Winery coming in third. The final flight of Syrah saw BC wines take all three top spots with Tightrope Winery coming in first, Le Vieux Pin Winery in second and Stag's Hollow Winery and Vineyard in third.
"Chardonnay has struck me in the last few days, Riesling as well, but Syrah is becoming particularly exciting. The thing with Syrah is that it can do well planted up north, but it can also do well in the south and there are very few varietals that can span both." said international wine judge Jaime Goode of Wine Anorak.
Hosted by the BC Wine Institute, and curated by Vancouver based wine expert DJ
Kearney, the final Judgment of BC took place in Penticton in the heart of wine country. Inspired by the legendary Judgment of Paris in 1976, the inaugural Judgment of BC was hosted in 2015 by the BC Wine Institute in honour of Steven Spurrier's visit to British Columbia. Five years later, the BC wine industry was thrilled to welcome Steven Spurrier of Decanter Magazine back to BC wine country.
