County hospital supporters get a taste of nation’s award-winning wines

Girlfriends gathered at the tasting in support of Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.

Supporters of the County’s hospital scored mostly happy faces on their tastings of some of the nation’s award-winning wines Saturday.

They were their own judges at the second annual ‘Wine Passport to Canada’ tasting event hosted by the Rotary Club of Picton and the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation, at the Crystal Palace in Picton.

Rotary past-president Rob Leek prepares to pour tastes for patrons

The tasting featured more than 1,200 wines, ciders and meads from more than 200 premier wineries and vineyards across Canada.

This event was presented by The All Canadian Wine Championships. They were sourced from the recent judging competition and represent all wine-making provinces, said Bev Carnahan, ACWC director.

“This unique event offers the perfect opportunity for avid wine lovers to sample from hundreds of wines not normally accessible,” she said noting “There is only one bottle of each, so it is really a scavenger hunt for wine lovers.”

Carnahan said the championships, established in 1981, follow the progress of the country’s wine industry.

“This year’s judging marks 36 years of critiquing Canadian wines, by an esteemed panel of 19 wine writers, sommeliers and accredited wine judges from coast-to-coast who spent three days in the County to review 1,322 entries from 210 establishments.”

While British Columbia’s 807 entries won 313 awards, Ontario’s 368 entries won 127 awards – including County wine entries that resulted in All-Canadian Medals of Merit for Waupoos Estates Winery, Casa Dea, Lighthall Vineyards, Three Dog Winery, Sandbanks Winery and Karlo Estates.

Net proceeds of the tasting event will benefit the PECMH Foundation’s current LIFE SAVER Campaign Phase II for medical equipment. This year’s efforts centre on replacing three colonoscopes and three gastroscopes for the endoscopy department as well as fundraising for a new monitor that will improve the observation of sedated patients.

Rotary members and friends were hosts, introducing guests to the variety of wines available at the Crystal Palace, and offered up to 10 tastings that patrons judged for themselves. Their part of the proceeds from the event will go to support Rotary’s efforts relating to literacy in Prince Edward County.

Bids at the silent auction also went toward the causes.