Canada's Best Wines: Chardonnay
To Canadian wine lovers, Chardonnay represents so many things—and it unites and ties the country’s wine regions together.
That is why the most widely celebrated grape variety is the impetus for an annual homecoming at Niagara’s i4c Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration every July. Is there a comparable grape that speaks of its origins in more varied tones? The WineAlign critics unearthed nearly exact parity in excellence between examples from British Columbia and Ontario, with one standout from Nova Scotia. Quebec Chardonnay also impressed, and while not finding spots in the top 20, there were examples everyone would gladly enjoy.
No one said it’s easy to make good Chardonnay. The endeavour is puzzling, like getting lost in a maze, fraught with wrong turns and dead ends. Fortunately, the top Canadian Chardonnays have made good on their high-quality promise. Wine writer Andrew Jefford recently said, “Chardonnay, when grown in the right sites, can shoot loveliness about. It’s the litmus varietal.” Wine expert Ian D’Agata has declared squarely: “I really do believe Canada makes world-class Chardonnays.” True that. —MICHAEL GODEL
Our Picks:
1. QUAILS’ GATE ROSEMARY’S BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2018,
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VQA Okanagan Valley B.C.
$58 | 93
3. MISSION HILL PERPETUA 2018,
Okanagan Valley B.C.
$60|93
5. LIGHTFOOT & WOLFVILLE ANCIENNE CHARDONNAY 2017,
Annapolis Valley N.S.
$57|93
7. MIRABEL VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY 2018,
VQA Okanagan Valley B.C.
$32 | 92
9. CAVE SPRING CELLARS CSV CHARDONNAY 2018,
VQA Niagara on the Lake Ont.
$30 | 92
11. 13TH STREET L. VISCEK VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2018,
VQA Creek Shores Ont.
$35 | 92
13. MALIVOIRE MOTTIAR CHARDONNAY 2018,
VQA Beamsville Bench Ont.
$35|92
15. MEYER MICRO CUVÉE CHARDONNAY OLD MAIN ROAD VINEYARD 2018,
VQA Naramata Bench B.C.
$65|92
2. LEANING POST SENCHUK VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2018,
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore Ont.
$45|93
4. TAWSE CHARDONNAY QUARRY ROAD VINEYARD 2016,
VQA Twenty Mile Bench Ont.
$37|93
6. 50TH PARALLEL CHARDONNAY 2018,
VQA Okanagan Valley B.C.
$56|92
8. STRATUS CHARDONNAY 2019,
VQA Niagara on the Lake Ont.
$49|92
10. MEYER MCLEAN CREEK ROAD VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2018,
VQA Okanagan Falls B.C.
$33 | 92
12. QUAILS’ GATE STEWART FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2018,
VQA Okanagan Valley B.C.
$46 | 92
14. ROSEHALL RUN JCR ROSEHALL VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2018,
VQA Prince Edward County
$36 | 92
16. MEGA- LOMANIAC RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2017,
VQA Twenty Mile Bench Ont.
$35|92
