The Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute at Brock University is expanding its cider course offerings with a new Advanced Certificate in Cider and Perry Production. Jimi Doidge (left) and Travis Shaw are shown participating in a cider course at Brock in August 2018.Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) continues to lead the way for the booming cider industry with the launch of the Advanced Certificate in Cider and Perry Production.
The advanced-level courses were unveiled Thursday, Feb. 7 by the Cider Institute of North America (CINA) at CiderCon, an annual industry conference being held in Chicago. Brock University joined other CINA program providers, including Cornell and Washington State universities, in making presentations.
The addition of the advanced courses builds on Brock’s offering of CINA’s Foundation Certificate in Cider and Perry Production offered each year by CCOVI.
“Brock University is thrilled to bring the CINA program to the Canadian market and be a key player in driving the industry forward,” said Barb Tatarnic, CCOVI’s Manager of Continuing Education and Outreach. “As a program provider of the Foundation and now the Advanced level of certification, this is a critical step in setting widespread industry standards for the rapidly growing cider and perry industry.”
In addition to being the only Canadian provider of the CINA courses, CCOVI also provides analytical testing services to help cider makers deliver the best product possible.
“Brock played an instrumental role in developing the courses of the Advanced Certificate program, which is the first educational accreditation for cider makers in North America,” said Steven Trussler, the CINA-certified instructor in CCOVI’s cider program. “It builds upon the foundation certificate with a comprehensive program that is intended to take about three years to complete.”
To date, around 100 students have earned the Foundation Certificate in Cider and Perry Production through CCOVI.
“CINA’s curriculum development team represents leaders in the cider industry and partner academic institutions,” said CINA Executive Director Brighid O’Keane. “We’re pleased to announce training opportunities for cider makers to develop their technical skills and gain industry-recognized qualifications in cider and perry production.”
Brock University will offer the following advanced-level courses: Science and Practice of Cider and Perry Production; GMP, Safety and Sanitation of Cider and Perry Production; Essential Sensory Analysis of Cider and Perry; and Essential Laboratory Testing of Cider and Perry.
To find out more about CCOVI and upcoming courses, visit brocku.ca/ccovi
