Written by Rosemary Mantini | 05 March 2010

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Redelmeier conceived the idea for the British media tasting after Niagara’s Le Clos Jordanne won a prestigious competition last year in Montreal pitting French wines against wines from the United States. Le Clos Jordanne’s Chardonnay served as the “ringer” in the contest and emerged victorious in the category. Hearing Le Clos winemaker Thomas Bachelder say in a radio interview that any number of wineries in Ontario could have won the contest, Redelmeier came up with the idea of promoting Ontario Chardonnays as a group effort. “A rising tide lifts all boats,” he says, describing his personal philosophy. “It’s wrong to be very competitive with each other. The guy down the road is not the competition. The guy in Chile is the competition.”

To that end, the London event at Canada House will be a collegial tasting, not a competition, with sampling tables spread from Ontario east to west – from Prince Edward County, Niagara to Lake Erie North Shore – to mimic the geographical distribution of the participating wineries. “We’re all in this together,” says Redelmeier. “The event is as much about producing fellowship as promoting our wines. What we’re trying to do is build the Canadian brand.”

In keeping with the egalitarian theme, Canadian judges determined that only two wines per winery would be sent to England. They also allowed a winery to submit one library wine older than five years. “That means no matter how big the winery,” Redelmeier says, “only the best will be showcased.”

The 34 Ontario VQA Chardonnays from 21 wineries to be poured at Canada House in London on May 17, 2010 include:

Cave Spring Cellars CSV 2003
Cave Spring Cellars CSV 2005

Chateau des Charmes Barrel-Fermented 2007

Chateau des Charmes Musqué 2008
Closson Chase Kocsis Vineyard 2007

Colio Estates CEV 2006
Colio Estates Musqué 2007
Coyote's Run Black Paw Vineyard 2008

Creekside Estate Queenston Road Vineyard 2008
Flat Rock Cellars Reserve 2007

Flat Rock Cellars The Rusty Shed 2008

Henry of Pelham Barrel-Fermented 2007
Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve 2007

Hidden Bench Tête de Cuvée 2006
Hidden Bench 2007
Hillebrand Showcase Wild Ferment 2008
Huff Estates South Bay Vineyard 2007
Lailey Brickyard Vineyard 2008

Le Clos Jordanne LCJ Vineyard 2006
Le Clos Jordanne Talon Ridge 2007

Malivoire Moira Vineyard 2004
Malivoire Moira Vineyard 2005
Norman Hardie Unfiltered  2008
Peller Estates Signature Series Sur Lie 2007

Peller Signature Series Sue Lie 2008
Peninsula Ridge Reserve 2007
Ravine Rowan Vineyard 2008
Ravine Rowan Vineyard Reserve 2008
Rosehall Run Rosehall Vineyard 2008
Rosehall Run Cuvée County 2008

Southbrook Poetica 1998

Southbrook Poetica 2005
Southbrook Triomphe Certified Organic 2008
Tawse Quarry Rd Vineyard 2007

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