German wine professor Monika Christmann has been named the keynote speaker in oenology for Brock University’s upcoming International Cool Climate Wine Symposium (ICCWS) 2021.

Christmann has served on the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) since 1995, where she is now Vice-President, and is the head of both the Department for Oenology and Wine Technology and the Winery at Hochschule Geisenheim University. She also gives lectures for professional training programs, such as the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), in countries around the world.

She will discuss the topic of Preserving Cool Climate Wine Styles in Times of Climate Change at the symposium.

“I feel very honoured to be invited as a keynote speaker to this upcoming ICCWS,” Christmann says. “Around the world we are all experiencing dramatic situations due to climate change. So, it is of greatest importance to share our knowledge within the vitivinicultural sector to minimize problems and ensure a good future.”

David Heatherbell, the principal founder of 1984’s inaugural International Cool Climate Wine Symposium in Eugene, Oregon and frequent presenter at the symposium, is pleased that Canada won the bid to host ICCWS 2021.

The symposium will take place from July 25 to 29, 2021 at Brock University. It will feature four days of rigorous scientific content, as well as networking events and pre- and post-conference programming to highlight Canada’s diverse grape and wine regions. More than 50 leading scholars in cool climate grape and wine research will be speaking at the conference in keynotes, seminars, masterclasses, workshops and as panelists.

Established in 1984, the symposium takes place in a different country once every four years. Brock won the bid in 2016 to be the host site for the conference in 2020, thanks to a collective effort between its Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) and stakeholder organizations across Canada. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the symposium was postponed from its originally scheduled date in 2020 to July of 2021.

David Heatherbell, the principal founder of the inaugural ICCWS in Eugene, Oregon, who has presented at four of the conferences since, said he is pleased that Canada won the bid to host ICCWS 2021.

“I cannot think of a more appropriate host nation and venue than Canada,” said the former Oregon State University oenology professor. “As an emerging wine region receiving increasing recognition for its cool climate wine styles, and with Brock University having had the vision to create the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute for research and teaching, it is much deserved.”

The first ICCWS in 1984 welcomed 620 registrants from 18 different countries. As interest in the production of premium varietal table wines from cool climate regions was increasing at the time, the symposium aimed to promote the exchange of ideas and expertise between the local and international industry. Heatherbell said he has seen the ICCWS continually evolve to respond to the changing needs of the cool climate grape and wine industry since its inception.

The focus of the ICCWS 2021 will be on ensuring the vitality of cool climate winemaking and grape growing in the face of changing climatic conditions.

Debbie Inglis, Chair of the ICCWS Advisory Organizing Committee and Director of CCOVI, said the conference offers a significant opportunity to share the research being done at Brock and in other cool climate regions around the world, to help the industry adapt and thrive in response to those changes.

“A central theme of the conference is how adversity drives innovation to achieve success across the entire grape and wine value chain,” said Inglis. “The Canadian grape and wine industry has long had to be nimble and resilient to succeed in a challenging and ever-changing industry. I look forward to sharing innovative research with our colleagues from around the world and showcasing the Canadian grape and wine industry at the same time.”

Heatherbell, who will be attending the upcoming conference and participating in the opening ceremonies, said he is impressed by the work being done at CCOVI and the breadth of programming developed for the conference.

“I am pleased to see the symposium retain its identity and relevance, and that this 10th symposium also recognizes the need for innovation and adaption to meet new challenges in viticulture and oenology,” he said. “It will energize and foster development of industry, institute and university programs, and further enhance the Canadian story and the recognition of Canada as a significant emerging wine country.”

The hour-by-hour program for the upcoming International Cool Climate Wine Symposium (ICCWS) 2021 is now available, giving an in-depth look at the breadth of cutting-edge research and unique programming opportunities that will be available at the prestigious conference.

Media accreditation is also available for the conference, and interested media are asked to apply on the ICCWS 2021 media page.