From improving cool climate vineyard resilience to strengthening consumer connections, industry experts will share insights on a range of grape and wine topics during this year’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) Lecture Series.

The annual outreach initiative, which runs from January to March, highlights research findings and methods that benefit the grape and wine industry.

“The CCOVI Lecture Series is a highly anticipated event that we take great pleasure in presenting,” says CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis. “This year’s lineup will be as informative and useful as ever thanks to the commitment of our Researchers, Scientists, Fellows and Professional Affiliates and their eagerness to share their knowledge.”

All lectures are free to attend and take place on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. in room H313 of the Mackenzie Chown Complex. Paid parking is available in the nearby Lot E. Livestream information along with archived recordings can be found on the CCOVI Lecture Series website.

The series kicks off Wednesday, Jan. 14 with CCOVI Principal Scientist Sud Poojari, who will present The Foundation of the CLEANSED Project for Developing Genomic Tools supporting the Canadian Clean Plant Program for Grapes.

CLEANSED stands for CLEan plAnt extractioN SEquencing Diagnostics.

The second lecture in the series will feature CCOVI Senior Scientist of Entomology Malkie Spodek, who will discuss Pheromone Lures: Their Role in Vineyard Insect Pest Management on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

Those interested in learning why low- and no-alcohol beverages taste the way they do or how to produce great tasting wines without all the sugar needed to create ethanol can join CCOVI Senior Scientist in Oenology Jennifer Kelly on Wednesday, Jan. 28 for The Pursuit for Lower Alcohol: Strategies for the Future.

“We have tried to make this event as available and accessible as possible,” says Inglis. “This is an event that people who work, study or simply have an interest in the grape and wine business can attend. Last year’s series attracted 310 live views and more than 1,200 views to the videos later posted online.”

Lectures taking place during February and March include:

• Wednesday, Feb. 4: Michael Ripmeester and Sara Murdoch — Motivations and Expectations: A Geodemographic Analysis of Wine Club Members
• Wednesday, Feb. 11: Jim Willwerth — Improving Resiliency in Cool Climate Vineyards
• Wednesday, Feb. 25: Joachim Scholz — Mapping the ‘Bon Vivant’: A Process for Defining Unique Sub-Archetypes for Your Own Brand
• Wednesday, March 4: Kevin Usher — Nitrogen Application and Precision Management of Nitrogen Using Remote Sensing
• Wednesday, March 11: Liette Vasseur — Looking at Vineyards as Biodiverse Agroecosystems for Sustainability
• Wednesday, March 18: George Van der Merwe — Saccharomyces Yeasts and Fermentation
• Wednesday, March 25: Antonia Mantonakis — How Words Shape Wine: The Hidden Psychology of Vowels and Taste

For more information on the series, visit the CCOVI ExperienceBU page.