gold medals aren’t easy to come by at intervin. our judges are a discerning bunch.

A record number of gold medals were awarded this year, not because our standards slipped, but because the quality of the submissions jumped. Strong classes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah set the pace, with a notable improvement in overall quality for rosé, Pinot and Chardonnay. Good egg

Red Rooster Winery 2015 Golden Egg Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $55 This unique Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre blend offers a mix of savoury and floral notes that enticed our judges. The seamless texture and complexity also helped push it to the front of the class.

italian Charm

Ruffino 2015 Modus Tuscany, Italy $29.95 (912956) Launched in 1997, Modus has consistently counted amongst Ruffino’s most celebrated and age-worthy reds. A repeat winner at InterVin, the 2015 is a rich and complex wine with broad appeal.

Watch Out

Trius Winery 2016 Showcase Watching Tree Vineyard Wild Ferment Chardonnay Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $36.75 Watching Tree Vineyard was known as the Oliveria Vineyard, which has long been the source of Trius WInery’s finest Chardonnays. This is a truly memorable wine.

Sweet Valley

la Crema 2015 Russian River Valley Pinot noir California, United States $49.95 Rich and complex, La Crema’s Russian River Valley Pinot shows a complex and savoury palate of earth, mushroom, forest floor and ripe berries before exiting with a sweet, long finish.