BC wineries storm the All-Canadian Wine Championship

In a show of either self-confidence or aggressive marketing, British Columbia wineries entered two-thirds of the wines at the recent All-Canadian Wine Championships.

A total of 1,322 wines were entered in the ACWC, the oldest of the national wine competitions. British Columbia wineries accounted for 807 of the wines entered. Ontario wineries entered only 368 wines.

And British Columbia wineries took two of competition’s five trophies for best wines in their categories.

The wine judged to be the best white in the competition was Arrowleaf Cellars Dry Riesling 2015. This wine from a Lake Country vineyard is a tremendous value, at $16 a bottle, for a wine of this quality.

The best red wine in the competition was judged to be Deep Roots Winery Syrah 2014, a $34 wine from a Naramata winery that has begun to earn a reputation for Syrah.

The top sparkling wine in the competition was judged to be Archangel Chardonnay Sparkling 2011 from Angels Gate Winery in Ontario.

The top Icewine was judged to be a 2014 Cabernet France Icewine from Magnotta Winery, also based in Ontario.

The top fruit wine was an iced apple wine from a Quebec producer, Cidrerie du Minot.

Following is the list British Columbia producers winning best of show awards – in effect, double gold medals.

The complete results are at allcanadianwinechampionships.com.

The ACWC is now in its 36^th year. The wines were adjudicated over three days by 17 judges from across the country, including five from British Columbia.

Congratulations to all the winning producers.

Bench 1775 Winery Whistler Riesling Icewine 2014

Bench 1775 Winery Bliss Icewine 2014

Bench 1775 Winery Viognier 2015

Black Widow Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Black Widow Winery Hourglass 2014

Blue Grouse Estate Winery Quill Red 2014

Cassini Cellars Nobilus Merlot 2013

CC Jentsch Cellars Small Lots Malbec 2014

CedarCreek Estate Winery Estate Merlot 2014

CedarCreek Estate Winery Meritage 2013

Deep Roots Winery Chardonnay Unoaked 2015

Forbidden Fruit Winery Caught Apricot Mistelle 2014

Forbidden Fruit Winery Flaunt Sparkling Plum 2015

La Frenz Winery Liqueur Muscat NV

Moraine Estate Winery Gewürztraminer 2015

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2014

Robin Ridge Winery Cabernet Franc 2013

Rocky Creek Winery Wild Blackberry NV

Ruby Blues Winery Commune Pinot Gris 2015.

Silverside Farm & Winery Tayberry Wine 2015

SpierHead Winery Pinot Noir Cuvée 2013

Stag's Hollow Winery & Vineyard Syrah 2013

Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Noir 2013

SummerGate Winery Riesling 2015

Wild Goose Vineyards & Winery Mystic River Pinot Blanc 2015