Chris Holman (BSc ’15), Jackson Triggs Winery, and Christopher Waters, CCOVI continuing education instructor, speak to Grape and Wine Festival-goers during the Educate Your Senses wine and cheese speaker series last year. The sessions take place both Saturdays of the festival, Sept. 21 and 28, in Montebello Park. Anyone who drinks wine may be able to vaguely describe the way it tastes and smells, but Niagara Grape and Wine Festival attendees have the chance to educate their senses while they sip along with the winemakers who made them.
Continuing its long-standing tradition, Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) is hosting its popular Educate Your Senses wine and cheese speaker series both Saturdays of the festival (Sept. 21 and 28) in Montebello Park.
“CCOVI has been hosting the Educate Your Senses speaker series for more than two decades, providing quality educational opportunities to the community,” said Barb Tatarnic, CCOVI’s Manager of Continuing Education and Outreach. “It is a great opportunity for festivalgoers to meet the winemakers in a causal and entertaining setting and find out what goes into making the wine in their glass.”
The seminars will be hosted by Britt Dixon, CCOVI’s Communications Specialist and self-declared wine enthusiast, who will introduce attendees to some of Niagara’s top winemakers, including alumni of Brock’s Oenology and Viticulture program, as they share their experiences and stories behind their wines. The interactive series also gives guests the opportunity to ask questions as they taste.
Each winemaker will pour two wines for the audience to sample alongside cheese pairings provided by the Dairy Farmer’s of Ontario.
Educate your Senses on Saturday, Sept. 21:
2 p.m. Marc Pistor (BSc ’06), Winemaker, Alvento Winery
3 p.m. Angela Kasimos (Bsc ’06), Winemaker, Hernder Estate Winery
4 p.m. Sebastien Jacquey, Winemaker, Megalomaniac
Educate your Senses, Saturday, Sept. 28:
3 p.m. Richie Roberts (BSc ’04), Winemaker, Fielding Estates Winery
4 p.m. Jamie Slingerland (2015 Grape King), Director of Viniculture, Pillitteri Estates
Location: Roy T. Adams Bandshell, Montebello Park, St. Catharines
Cost: Two tokens ($3.50 per token). Brock alumni will receive a free wine glass with registration and receive half off the seminar cost. Tokens are available for purchase at Montebello Park throughout the weekend. Seating is limited and registration for seminars will be at the Roy T. Adams Bandshell only. Seminars run rain or shine.
