50/50 Vancouver's Proposed Anti-Wine Bylaw

This year more than 1,000 wines were reviewed at the annual Calgary-based tastings by more than two dozen tasters from across the country.

To be clear, I am the editor-in-chief of Wine Access and the head judge of the competition, but as is normal all wines are tasted blind and, in the case of the category winners, often three times. It's been fashionable to take potshots at wine competitions results and judges, and I'm sure in some cases it is warranted. All I can say is that at the International Value Wine Awards, the judging is as thorough as it can be. I can honestly say that the results of the International Value Wine Awards reflect the care and attention my team takes to makes sure every wine gets its due process.

The 2009 tasting was the third and largest competition and was by far the most exciting in terms of results. Wineries are always asked to enter the latest vintages but sometimes the vintage submitted runs out and the winery releases the next year, which can make locating some of the winning wines problematic. Keep in mind the complete results include 29 category champions, and 17 categories by country, as well as a list of Killer Values red and white wines sold in Canada for less than $15, and can be viewed at www.wineaccess.com.

Every wine entered in the IVWA must sell in at least one Canadian locale for less than $25, so you know what that means: It is likely you will pay more for some of the winners due to our punitive provincial wine taxes. Today I wanted to share some of the most interesting and highly economic labels you can still find in British Columbia wine stores and drink at home, soon to be the best value location to consume wine in B.C.

Come to think of it, drinking at home could well become a favourite Vancouver pastime if city hall officials persist with the new harebrained 50/50 rules in city restaurants. I can't wait to see the reaction of IOC officials when they are told the $350 wine they are ordering must be accompanied by a food purchase of equal or greater value.

Here are some highlights of the very best values.

You will have to search for the B.C.'s Thornhaven Gewurztraminer 2008, likely in restaurants or online from the winery, but this wine really impressed the judges and stole the category from Alsace and the rest of the world.

The Winery of Good Hope swept the Chenin Blanc category but the Man Vintners Chenin Blanc (Steen) 2008 from the Western Cape was a very respectable Judge's Choice at $12. It has a round, slightly fat entry with baked apple, grassy, lees, cooked grapefruit flavours.

Among the Red Blends, we really loved the Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap Syrah - Mourvèdre - Viognier 2008 and its wild smoky meaty notes mixed with plenty of ripe blackberry/blueberry fruit and spicy licorice flavours.

One of the top Country wines still in circulation in B.C. has to be the Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Ridge Quartage 2006, a blend of cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, cabernet franc and merlot 2006 from Barossa Valley. It is even better than the fine '04 version with its attractive blueberry, cassis and red licorice notes and rich and supple palate. Expect big flavours of cassis, plums blueberry and black olive flavours with some underlying small-grained tannins. You can drink this now with grilled meats or hold it for two or three years for even better results. Well done, Barossa.

One of the comforting things about the IVWA is it can reassure one that some of your old favourites labels still measure up. Case in point: St. Hallett Poacher's Blend Semillon Sauvignon 2008. Look for a zesty grapefruit, green pea and mineral nose with a wisp of residual sugar in its fig, apple, honey, butter flavours and aftertaste. Perfect for Pan Asian food.

Another well-known wine that impressed the judges is the Cono Sur Viognier Limited Release 2008 from Valle del Colchagua. Amazing spicy, nectarine, honey, grapefruit and orange aromas for $11. The palate is lively with spicy, floral, ginger, orange, juicy melon flavours. Elegant and fun with lots of fruit. Consistently fine and the 2008 is one of the best yet. Stock up.

For something completely different check out the Williams & Humbert Dry Sack Sherry N/V. Look for an inviting nutty, buttery, soy, rancio nose with smoky date streaks with spicy walnut, buttery flavours. Well made, nutty style with some weight. Serve fireside with some spice almonds.