The month of May hosts many different award ceremonies across many different industries. One of my favourite is the Ontario Wine Awards held at Niagara on-the-lake’s Queen’s Landing. Andy Brandt, the former head of the LCBO, presented this year’s awards. Whether or not he had had a drink beforehand was unclear but it was clear that he was not comfortable pronouncing many of grape varietals…especially those rooted in another language. This did, however, make for a humorous evening.

VQA’s Chateau des Charmes took home many awards over the evening. Most importantly, they were awarded ‘White Wine of the Year’ for their 2012 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling. Angels Gate Winery won ‘Red Wine of the Year’ with their 2010 Mountainview Pinot Noir. Winemaker of the year went to Brian Schmidt of Vineland who referred to wine as ‘liquid music-‘ (Isn’t it though?!)Inniskillin swept the ice-wine category and Jackson Triggs won ten awards across many of their varietals.

But what does this mean for us normal folk? How will this knowledge help us to make better decisions while wandering the aisles of the LCBO?

Let me tell you: It means that we should probably spend this weekend tasting the best that our Province has to offer- specifically the 2014 Wines of the Year both white and red.

A trip to these wineries should not go a miss either. With summer almost here, Niagara is so close to Toronto and hundreds of B&B’s are waiting to make your breakfast (and bed), so there is no reason why we shouldn’t head down to Ontario’s winemaking capital. One can tour a winery or one can choose to tour eight wineries…(If you choose to tour eight, make sure you’ve got a DD). You will be able to sample these aforementioned, and other award winning, wines.

Chateau des Charmes 2012 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling is on for $21.95 at the LCBO while Angels Gate 2010 Mountainview Pinot Noir is $19.75.

Not only will these wines be delicious but you will also impress everyone when you show up to party with ‘Award Winning VQA wines’…And isn’t THAT what it’s all about?

Girls of TO would love to know your favourite Ontario wine- Tell us in the comments below or on Twitter or Facebook.

Happy Sipping!

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