West Kelowna’s Kalala Organic Estate Winery received best in the world for its Chardonnay Icewine at this year’s Chardonnay du Monde Competition in France.
Kalala 2013 vintage Chardonnay Icewine went up against entries from all over the world and clearly made their mark - there were over 300 international expert judges to impress!
The icewine that won best in the world was harvested in 2013, which was a very good year Sidhu said and of the 782 wine samples from 39 countries that entered the competition, the 2013 Chardonnay Icewine received the highest number of points, granting it the top spot at this year’s Chardonnay du Monde Competition.
Karnail Singh Sidhu
Karnail Singh Sidhu, Kalala Organic Estate Winery
“Oh, it’s feeling great,” says Karnail Singh Sidhu, Owner, Proprietor, Managing Director and Viticulturist for the winery.
The honour isn’t just about his winery- an achievement like this will help to bring international attention to the wine industry in the Okanagan and the entire region.
“It is good for us. It is also good for the whole industry” says Sidhu.
Tibor Erdelyi, chief winemaker at Kalala Organic Estate, has been with Kalala since the beginning- when they first opened to the public in 2008 and doesn’t hold back when asked the secrets to making the world’s best Chardonnay Icewine.
“It really depends on your vineyard. Good grapes make good wine. Ninety per cent of wine making happens in the vineyard.” Says Sidhu
“One thing might be the way we make the icewines over here; with the prolonged fermentation, longer fermentation brings more balance between sugar and acid content. It also makes for a little higher alcohol concentration than most icewines.” Erdelyi says.
Kalala Organic Estate has officially reached the culmination of winemaking- the best Chardonnay Icewine on earth!
Congratulations to Kalala and all their success- enjoy!