{"id":101858,"date":"2025-05-26T16:19:51","date_gmt":"2025-05-26T20:19:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=101858"},"modified":"2025-06-10T12:17:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T16:17:49","slug":"cuvee-makes-a-splash-in-celebration-of-ontario-vqa-wines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2025\/05\/cuvee-makes-a-splash-in-celebration-of-ontario-vqa-wines\/","title":{"rendered":"Cuv\u00e9e makes a splash in celebration of Ontario VQA wines"},"content":{"rendered":"

With a spotlight on world-class Ontario VQA wines and Niagara\u2019s top culinary talent, the 33rd edition of the Cuv\u00e9e Grand Tasting delivered on its promise to be a savoury and sparkling experience.<\/p>\n

Presented by Brock University\u2019s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) on Saturday, May 24, the fan-favourite affair drew more than 500 guests for an evening featuring selections from the province\u2019s top winemakers combined with delicious food pairings from the region\u2019s leading chefs.<\/p>\n

The evening brought with it an air of patriotism, celebrating VQA winemaking excellence and its starring role in industry worldwide. It\u2019s a climate that has long been fostered by wine aficionados and Ontario-industry insiders, but in recent months has grabbed the attention of the general public.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe big takeaway here is although we have been celebrating VQA winemaking excellence for 33 years, it is now top-of-mind for so many people, including everyone at Cuv\u00e9e,\u201d said the event’s manager Barb Tatarnic.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere’s this emergence of a \u2018support-local\u2019 movement that everyone is truly celebrating while recognizing the impressive talent we have right here in Ontario.\u201d<\/p>\n

As partygoers entered the aptly named Chardonnay Ballroom at the Holiday Inn and Suites St. Catharines Conference Centre, they were greeted by 10 food stations and over 30 wineries encouraging their palates and senses to explore.<\/p>\n

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The Cuv\u00e9e Grand Tasting, the biggest celebration of VQA products of its kind, attracted more than 500 attendees to the Holiday Inn and Suites St. Catharines Conference Centre on May 24.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWe had wineries that are brand new to the industry and some that have built a long tradition of winemaking,\u201d said Tatarnic, CCOVI\u2019s Manager of Professional Studies and Outreach.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur guests loved the different wines and food pairings. You could see that in their faces.\u201d<\/p>\n

The evening was also an opportunity for CCOVI to honour current and future members of the industry, with \u00a0eight awards \u00a0presented.<\/p>\n

The Cuv\u00e9e Vineyard of Excellence Award \u2014 honouring a grower who promotes excellence in their vineyard \u2014 went to Tom Wiley of Wiley Vineyards in Jordan, Ont., while the Cuv\u00e9e Winemaker of Excellence Award was presented to Thomas Bachelder of Bachelder Niagara in Beamsville, Ont.<\/p>\n

The Tony Aspler Cuv\u00e9e Award of Excellence was presented to photographer Steven Elphick, who is well known for his wine images throughout Ontario.<\/p>\n

The remaining awards \u2014 made possible thanks to the Cuv\u00e9e Legacy Fund, which supports scholarships in Brock\u2019s undergraduate Applied Grape and Wine Science programs as well as graduate degrees in oenology, viticulture, wine science, business and tourism \u2014 honoured five students.<\/p>\n

CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis, who presented the awards, reminded the crowd that proceeds from the night\u2019s tickets will be put to good use.<\/p>\n

\u201cCuv\u00e9e is a prime example of a community-university-industry partnership that benefits all involved, with funds raised at the event supporting student scholarships and grape and wine research,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Student award winners included Victoria Parsons for top marks in the Certificate in Grape and Wine Technology program; Evan Smith for top marks in second year of the Applied Grape and Wine Science (OEVI) program; Alex Klauck for top marks in third year of the OEVI program; Simon Koop for highest marks in fourth year of the OEVI program; and Master of Science student Reid Ball for scholastic achievements at the graduate level in grape and wine science.<\/p>\n

Brock President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg joined in the celebration and praised CCOVI for its work supporting the industry and its next generation of leaders.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrock\u2019s strategic plan prioritizes community partnerships and regional development, and tonight\u2019s event is a perfect example of those ongoing efforts,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not just celebrating Ontario\u2019s grape and wine industry; we\u2019re investing in its future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t