Canadian Winery Wins the Pinnacle Award

By / Food / November 19th, 2010 / 1

Canada’s Jackson Triggs Okanagan Estate captured the ‘Best Canadian Producer’ award at the annual International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC), held on November 16 in London, England. The IWSC is considered to be one of the most influential wine competitions of its kind. Jackson Triggs’ Okanagan Estate Winemakers Brooke Blair and Derek Kontkanen were on hand to accept the award, presented by Prince Michael zu Salm-Salm, President, IWSC.

“Being awarded ‘Best Canadian Producer’ at the IWSC is an honour and a testament to the great teamwork at Jackson Triggs. It’s the ultimate recognition and win,” says Derek Kontkanen.

“This IWSC award is something winemakers strive for – it’s the pinnacle. Being in London to accept the award on behalf of our team added a whole new dimension to winning, making it even more memorable,” adds Brooke Blair. Jackson Triggs has had the unprecedented honour of winning the ‘Best Canadian Producer’ title seven times at IWSC, and twenty one times in global wine competitions – a feat no other Canadian winery can claim.

IWSC entrants are judged and evaluated in a rigorous two-stage judging process that includes professional blind tasting, and detailed technical analysis. This year, the IWSC received entries from over 80 countries worldwide. Jackson Triggs Estate Wines won 29 IWSC awards across both appellations. Brooke Blair was awarded the ‘World’s Best’ Trophy for her Jackson Triggs Proprietors’ Grand Reserve Merlot 2007. Derek Kontkanen, Okanagan Estate White Winemaker earned the ‘World’s Best’ Product Trophy for Best Dessert Wine for his Proprietors’ Grand Reserve Riesling Icewine 2007.

In my humble opinion, Jackson Triggs has come a long way since its early years in the mid-1990s. Now, vineyards in the sunny and warm Okanagan can only have a positive effect on the structure, aroma and taste of the wine. In Ontario, the winery is a very California modern building that’s awesome in an architectural kind of way.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rosemary Mantini has always loved words. When she isn't working as the Associate Editor at Tidings Magazine, she's helping others achieve their writing dreams, and sometimes she even relaxes with a good book and a glass of wine.

Comments are closed.

North America’s Longest Running Food & Wine Magazine

Get Quench-ed!!!

Champion storytellers & proudly independent for over 50 years. Free Weekly newsletter & full digital access