In November 2009 OntarioWineReview asked average everyday wine drinkers to join us to choose Ontario’s best Gewurztraminer, a People’s Choice Challenge if you will.  Over the course of 4 nights our guests tried 46 Gewurztraminers, judging them on three criteria:  1. Do you like you it; 2.  Would you buy it; and 3. Is it good value.  Here are the results of those 4 evenings (For the Newsletter article click here ).

OVERALL Top 10 Ontario Gewurztraminers …

                   1.    Calamus Estate Winery 2008 Gewurztraminer
                   2.    Pillitteri Estates Winery 2008 Fusion Riesling/Gewurztraminer
                   3.    Rosewood Estates 2008 Gewurztraminer
                   4.    Pillitteri Estates 2008 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer
                   5.    Cave Spring Cellars 2007 Gewurztraminer
                   6.    Malivoire Wine Company 2008 Gewurztraminer
                   7.    Strewn Winery 2008 Riesling/Gewurztraminer
                   8.    Flat Rock Cellars 2008 Gewurztraminer
                   9.    Smith & Wilson 2008 Gewurztraminer (Cherieau)
                 10.    Pelee Island 2006 Gewurztraminer Reserve

A GREAT BIG THANKS to our sponsors and partners for the Great Gewurztraminer Challenge: 
Starting with our venue, Campbell House.  Our glassware sponsor Schott Zwiesel , Lloyd of Fortessa Canada , you are the man – anyone who knows Lloyd or has met him, knows that to be true.  Thanks to Hillebrand and Nyarai Cellars for providing our guests with pre- and post-tasting wines.  Speaking of tasting, I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank Upper Canada Cheese for making this a delicious event with the addition of their Comfort Cream and Niagara Gold cheeses.  Raymond Emes, of Balluchon Café (221 Sorauren Avenue in the Roncesvalles area), your coffee always delights, never fails to impress and helps to get everyone home safely.  And finally, to the wineries (listed below) who entered their wines into the Challenge – without you the above thank yous would not be necessary, nor as important.

Best of Category:
Regular Gewurztraminer:  Calamus Estate Winery 2008 Gewurztraminer
Blend: Pillitteri Estates Winery 2008 Gewurztraminer / Riesling Fusion
Dessert Style: Pillitteri Estates Winery 2008 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer

The Top 21 Best Value Gewurztraminers
(all bottle are 750ml unless otherwise noted)
1.    Calamus    - 2008 Gewurztraminer ($15.00)
2.    Pillitteri - 2008 Riesling / Gewurztraminer ($13.00)
3.    Smith & Wilson - 2008 Gewurztraminer ($13.00)
4.    Pelee Island - 2006 Gewurztraminer Reserve ($14.95)
5.    Rosewood Estates - 2008 Gewurztraminer ($18.00)
6.    Cave Spring - 2007 Gewurztraminer ($15.95)
7.    Strewn Winery - 2008 Riesling / Gewurztraminer ($11.75)
8.    Pillitteri - 2008 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer ($25.00 / 375ml))
9.    Palatine Estates - 2008 Gewurztraminer ($13.75)
10.    Reif Estate Winery - 2007 Riesling / Gewurztraminer ($14.95)
11.    Hillebrand - 2008 Gewurztraminer ($11.25)
12.    Flat Rock Cellars - 2008 Gewurztraminer ($18.95)
13.    Legends    - 2008 Gewurztraminer ($12.95)
14.    Colchester Ridge - 2008 Gewurztraminer Icewine ($14.00 / 200ml)
15.    Pelee Island - 2006 Riesling / Gewurztraminer ($10.95)
16.    Fielding Estate Winery - 2008 Gewurztraminer ($16.00)
17.    Malivoire - 2008 Gewurztraminer Icewine ($34.95 / 200ml)
18.    Stoney Ridge Estate Winery - 2008 Gewurztraminer ($17.00)
19.    Vineland Estates - 2007 Gewurztraminer ($14.95)
20.    Palatine Estates - 2006 Gewurztraminer Icewine ($29.95 / 200ml)
21.    Malivoire - 2008 Gewurztraminer ($24.95)


Wineries that participated in the Great Gewurztraminer Challenge …
Angels Gate, Calamus, Caroline Cellars, Cattail Creek, Cave Spring, Chateau des Charmes, Colchester Ridge, Fielding, Flat Rock, Harwood, Henry of Pelham, Hernder, Hillebrand, Konzelmann, Legends, Malivoire, Niagara College, Palatine Hills, Pelee Island, Peninsula Ridge, Pillitteri, Puddicombe, Ravine Vineyard, Reif, Riverview, Rosewood, Smith & Wilson, Stoney Ridge, Strewn, Vineland

Be sure to check out the poll on the home page of the website to vote for our next Challenge grape.