Wine aficionados from around the world can soak up Brock University’s leading grape and wine research as the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) Lecture Series returns for its 11th year.

Ten speakers from across CCOVI’s network of researchers, scientists, fellows and professional affiliates are participating in this year’s series. Topics will span a wide range from the debate over screw cap versus cork closures on wine bottles, to why we buy certain sparkling wines and the latest research on cold hardiness, leaf removal impacts and extracting polyphenolics during ice syrup production.

The series has become a highly anticipated event both locally and for those accessing the lecture remotely through livestreaming capabilities. In 2017, the CCOVI Lecture Series garnered more than 1,200 views from 51 countries around the world.

“We are pleased to once again bring the latest in grape and wine research from the lab to the classroom,” said CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis. “Sharing knowledge and providing outreach opportunities like the lecture series is an important part of CCOVI’s mandate and is of tremendous benefit to our industry and our students.”

The series will begin Monday, Jan. 15 with a special presentation of the late Karl Kaiser’s popular talk, “Pinot Noir: The savage yet seductive grape,” by Flat Rock Cellars winemaker David Sheppard.

Having worked predominantly on Pinot Noir production alongside Kaiser at Inniskillin makes Sheppard uniquely qualified to pay tribute to the industry icon though sharing his still-relevant lecture with a new audience.

“Being able to once again share Karl Kaiser’s lecture and record it for future generations to access is so exciting,” said Inglis. “He was a gifted educator and there is no better way to pay tribute to his life’s work than beginning our lecture series by educating a new generation.”

The free lectures start at 2 p.m. every Monday and will take place in room H313 of the Mackenzie Chown complex at Brock University. Paid parking is available in the nearby Lot E. The lectures will also be available to watch online by visiting call.lifesizecloud.com/call/8600991

For more information and to see archived lecture videos, visit the CCOVI Lecture Series website.

2018 CCOVI Lecture Series:

• Jan. 15:  David Sheppard, Winemaker, Flat Rock Cellars
  “Pinot Noir: The savage yet seductive grape.”
• Jan. 22: Janet Dorozynski, Trade Commissioner, Canadian Wine, Beer, Spirits and Tourism at Global Affairs Canada
  “Promoting Canada internationally through wine and food.”
• Jan. 29: Belinda Kemp, CCOVI Senior Oenologist, Brock University
  “How method, timing and severity of leaf removal impacts Cabernet franc wine flavour.”
• Feb. 5: Ronald Jackson, Wine Writer, Author
  “Get corked (the intricacies of cork closures and their alternatives).”
• Feb. 12: Annette Nassuth, Associate Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph
  “Do grapes SCREAM for frost tolerance?”
• Feb. 26: Jim Willwerth, CCOVI Senior Viticulturist, Brock University
  “Effects of abscisic acid form, concentration and application timing on grapevine cold hardiness.”
• Mar. 5: George Soleas, President and CEO at LCBO
  “TBA”
• Mar. 12: Tek Thongpapanl, Professor of Marketing and Product Innovation,
  Marketing, International Business & Strategy, Goodman School of Business, Brock University
  “Why we buy the sparkling wine that we buy.”
• Mar. 19: Baozhong Meng, Associate Professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph
  “Grapevine viruses, their impact and their distribution in Ontario.”
• Mar. 26: Jeff Stuart, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
  Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Brock University
  “Sweet, sticky, and healthy — using metabolomics to develop a ‘green’ protocol for extracting resveratrol and other polyphenolics from the waste pomace of ice syrup production.”