Judges

The WineAlign World Wine Awards of Canada (The Worlds) is judged by some of Canada’s most respected wine experts. The judging panel is comprised of some of Canada’s leading wine writers, journalists, sommeliers, buyers and industry professionals. Winemakers, marketers and retailers are not included. The competition also seeks out new and emerging talent in the industry to be part of the panel. This blend of experience and enthusiasm, brought by judges from many regions across Canada, ensures a comprehensive view of the wine world’s most current state.

You can follow the 2014 WWAC and our judges tweets from start to finish on Twitter @WineAlign and look for the hashtag #WWAC14 .

Our Judging Process

All competition wines are blind-tasted and judged in categories according to varietal or style, not by region, using the same 100-point system as used by WineAlign.

Our panels consist of Canada’s top wine writers, educators and judges who taste wine from around the world and across Canada. Collectively, so far this year, our judges have visited virtually every wine producing region in Europe and the New World already in 2014.

The judges are grouped in panels of three or four, each led by an experienced captain that enables group discussion aimed at getting accurate consensus.

The judging is overseen by WineAlign principal critics and partners Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason.

The 2014 Judges (in no particular order)

Anthony Gismondi
British Columbia
Co-Head Judge
WineAlign, Vancouver Sun
Follow on Twitter @TheSpitter

David Lawrason
Ontario
Co-Head Judge
WineAlign, Toronto Life, Ottawa Magazine
Follow on Twitter @DavidLawrason

Bill Zacharkiw
Quebec
WineAlign, Chacun son Vin, Montreal Gazette, CHOM FM
Follow on Twitter @BillZacharkiw

Treve Ring
British Columbia
WineAlign, EAT Magazine, Sip
Follow on Twitter @Treve_Ring

DJ Kearney
British Columbia
Wine and Spirits Education Trust
Follow on Twitter @djwines

Janet Dorozynski
Ontario
WineAlign and
Global Practice Lead – Canadian Wine at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Follow on Twitter @WineTrackMind

Rémy Charest
Quebec
WineAlign, Chacun son Vin, Palate Press, The Wine Case, CJAD 800AM
Follow on Twitter @RemyCharest

Rhys Pender, MW
British Columbia
Wine Plus+
Follow on Twitter @WinePlus

Sara d’Amato
Ontario
WineAlign
Follow on Twitter @SaradAmato

Brad Royale
Alberta
Wine Director, Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts
Follow on Twitter @BradRoyale

Craig Pinhey
New Brunswick
Telegraph Journal, East Coast Living, TAPS Magazine, Progress
Follow on Twitter @frogspadca

Michelle Bouffard
Quebec
Certified sommelier, AIWS, Housewine, CAPS-BC
Follow on Twitter @housewine_girls

Steve Thurlow
Ontario
WineAlign, Wine for Life, IWEG
Follow on Twitter @SteveOnWine