NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. — The Niagara College Teaching Winery collected a total of nine medals in June — two silver and one bronze at the Ontario Wine Awards, and two gold, three silver and a bronze at the National Wine Awards of Canada.
The Ontario Wine Awards recognize Ontario Vintners Quality Alliance wines for their quality, distinction and brilliance. This year, 74 wineries from the Niagara region, Prince Edward County and southwest Ontario entered 600 wines in the competition.
The college’s awards include silver for Balance Dry Riesling 2020 (Quench Magazine Riesling Dry Award); silver for Dean’s List Viognier 2020 (Dry White Varietals Award); and bronze for Balance Gamay Noir 2018 (George Brown Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts Gamay Award).
Additionally, Niagara College alumnus Paul Pender, who passed away in February, was awarded the Winemaker of the Year Award for his contributions to the Ontario wine industry. In his memory, the Ontario Wine Awards created the Paul Pender Memorial Rising Star Award. Its first recipient was Niagara College alumnus Alex Baines, who now works at Hidden Beach Estate Winery in Beamsville, Ont.
At the National Wine Awards of Canada, the college’s 2020 Dean’s List Cabernet Sauvignon and 2020 Les Marmitons Chardonnay were each awarded gold medals, while the 2020 Dean’s List Merlot, 2020 Dean’s List Meritage and 2020 Balance Dry Riesling were each awarded a silver medal. The NV Balance Brut earned a bronze.
We should include a focus on the Ontario Wine Awards, not just Niagara winning their awards. I believe I may have a press release from the Ontario Wine Awards, which is now produced by George Brown College. This is very one sided from Niagara so we need to provide an overview of the entire wine program…I’ll try to dig it up.
