Last year at the Fine Wine Reserve, I did a preview of this event and there was a three-way tie for first place, with Piper Heidsieck, Jackson-Triggs and Henry of Pelham all winning someone's number one choice.

Sommelier and wine writer Lindsay Groves' tasting, which I was unable to attend, had some interesting results, which Lindsay kindly forwarded to me.

The scoring structure was different: rather than highlighting which ones were a number one pick - is that a bit too "winner take all"? - the scores were tallied and the aggregate totals earned by each wine established the ranking.

Once again Henry of Pelham shone, taking the two top spots: 

1. 2002 Cuvée Catharine Brut, Henry of Pelham
2. NV Cuvée Catharine Brut, Henry of Pelham
3. 2004 Premier Cuvée, 13th Street Winery
4. NV Brut, Veuve Clicquot
5. NV Brut Reserve, Taittinger

There are a few points worth noting about the scoring system. For example, four of the 12 wines were one individual taster's favourite and another's least favourite - not only reducing scores, but suggesting there can be a great deal of variation in even skilled tasters' views. And Taittenger had high overall scores but was no-one's favourite.

Reconfiguring based on "favourite," however, Henry of Pelham still comes out on top:

2 tasters picked 2002 Cuvée Catharine Brut, Henry of Pelham
2 tasters picked  NV Cuvée Catharine Brut, Henry of Pelham
1 picked NV Brut, Piper-Heidseick (and gave it 93 points)
1 picked both 2003 Proprietors Grande Reserve Method Classique Jackson Triggs and 2004 Premiere Cuvee and 13th Street Winery (and gave both 90 points)

And 1 taster had no fewer than four wines scoring 90 points (the highest mark that taster gave) - two of them were the Henry of Pelhams, and the other two were NV Brut Veuve Cliquot and 2004 Proprietors Grande Reserve Method Classique Jackson Triggs.

One thing that's clear is that Ontario is now producing a number of sparkling wines that really do hold their own in direct comparision with fine examples the ne plus ultra of sparkling wines.

Lindsay, who set things up, did not taste. The tasters were, in no particular order, Peter Bodnar-Rod, Michael Pinkus, Michael Vaughan, Julian Hitner, Sara d'Amato

Disclaimer: Peter Bodnar-Rod is an outstanding sommelier and taster, but it's worth noting that he is the Sales and Marketing Director for 13th Street Winery.

Full list of wines poured:

NV Brut Imperial, Moët & Chandon
2006 Cuvée Peter Huff Blanc de Blanc, Huff Estates
NV Trius Brut, Hillebrand Estates
NV Brut Reserve, Taittinger
NV Brut, Piper Heidsieck
NV Cuvée Catharine Brut, Henry of Pelham
NV Cuvée Catharine Rosé Brut, Henry of Pelham
NV Brut, Veuve Clicquot
2003 Proprietors Grande Reserve Méthode Classique Brut, Jackson-Triggs
2002 Cuvée Catharine Brut, Henry of Pelham
2000 Funk Blanc de Noir, 13th Street Winery
2007 Rosé Sparkling, Hinterland Wine Co.
2004 Proprietors Grande Reserve Méthode Classique Brut, Jackson-Triggs
2004 Premier Cuvée, 13th Street Winery