Modelled after the famous “Judgment in Paris,” which saw California wines triumph over some of the best French wines in the 1970s, the aforementioned challenge was developed to showcase the ancient craft of coopering and to demonstrate the importance of barrels in winemaking.
In 2009, Craik brought together seven cooperages from around the world to compare the effect of similar barrels on one wine. Pitting the best from A&K Cooperage, Canadian Oak Cooperage, Carriage House Cooperage, Demptos Napa Cooperage, Okanagan Barrel Works Ltd., Radoux U.S.A., and Seguin Moreau U.S.A. against one another, Craik asked all cooperages to submit one American oak barrel to a general standard for the competition. Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate of Oliver, B.C. donated a single-block of Cabernet Sauvignon, made by award-winning winemakers Brooke Blair and Derek Kontkanen.
Once in the barrel, the wine was tested at regular intervals to see how it developed. Finally, the champion was announced at the final tasting after 12 months: Seguin Moreau, with Okanagan Barrel Works following close behind in second place.
With the wine made, aged and judged, Craik has shifted his focus to charity. The wine will be showcased at the Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival, with an auction to take place June 10 at the Walnut Beach Resort in Osoyoos, B.C. Profits from the sales will be donated to local charities, including The United Way and Kelowna Children’s Hospital Wing.
The wines will be available to purchase in cases comprised of eight bottles, featuring a bottle from each of the individual barrels and one bottle with a wine blended from the seven cooperages.
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