Belinda Kemp is CCOVI's new senior scientist. 
Belinda Kemp is CCOVI's new senior scientist.
Belinda Kemp has been named the new senior scientist in oenology at Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI).
After an international search, CCOVI recruited Kemp from Plumpton College in the United Kingdom to apply her extensive research and outreach experience to the Canadian grape and wine industry.
“We are very pleased to welcome Belinda to our team,” said CCOVI director Debbie Inglis. “Her knowledge and previous experience will help CCOVI continue to deliver on industry-driven research priorities and transfer that knowledge back to Canadian grape growers and winemakers.”
Kemp holds a PhD in viticulture and oenology from Lincoln University, in Lincoln, New Zealand. Her recent research has focused on the effects of leaf removal on Pinot Noir flavour and aroma, vine spacing on Regner wine, Pinot Noir tannin composition and the effect on flavour, as well as research on sparkling wine.
Kemp says she is excited about the opportunity to start work at CCOVI.
“The ability to carry out research that is important and useful to growers and producers is extremely important to me,” Kemp said. “The high quality reputation that CCOVI has in the viticulture and oenology world for teaching and research was also a big part of my decision to come work in Canada.”
Kemp also noted that the Canadian wine industry is going through exciting times, attracting international attention for a wide range of wine styles. Other wine regions, including the United Kingdom, focus on a limited number of wine styles.
First on her agenda will be meeting with industry stakeholders to identify research priorities.
Kemp will work in tandem with Jim Willwerth, CCOVI’s senior scientist in viticulture, providing research and outreach services locally and nationally.
