Cuv\u00e9e weekend is fast approaching and guests this year will have the opportunity to sample the best VQA wine and food Ontario has to offer in a whole new way.<\/p>\n
Hosted by Brock University\u2019s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), the Cuv\u00e9e Grand Tasting is the largest celebration of Ontario VQA wine and food of its kind. This year\u2019s event takes place Saturday, March 23 at Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls, with the Cuv\u00e9e en Route passport program once again extending the wine celebration all weekend long at participating wineries.<\/p>\n
Nearly 900 people attended last year\u2019s Cuv\u00e9e Grand Tasting, with proceeds supporting scholarships for Brock\u2019s Oenology and Viticulture students, as well as grape and wine industry-driven research initiatives at CCOVI.<\/p>\n
New this year, guests can experience Cuv\u00e9e using augmented reality. CCOVI has teamed up with HoloEducate, an augmented reality company founded by students from Brock. The mobile application LifeAR will allow guests at the Grand Tasting to view wine selections and even purchase wine online.<\/p>\n
Guests can download the free app before and during the Grand Tasting and then use their phones to scan the large wine bottles found in the middle of each wine station. They\u2019ll be able to see a list of the wineries, which wines they\u2019re pouring and even purchase those wines immediately online.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be a unique and fun experience for our guests at this year\u2019s event, allowing them to experience Cuv\u00e9e like never before,\u201d said Barb Tatarnic, Cuv\u00e9e manager.<\/p>\n
The LifeAR app can also be used before the event to scan the Cuv\u00e9e logo to view a video of last year\u2019s celebration.<\/p>\n
At the Grand Tasting, guests will enjoy culinary delights from celebrated local chefs at live cooking stations and wines from 48 of Ontario\u2019s top winemakers, who will present two of their favourite wines.<\/p>\n
The Grand Tasting is followed by the Apr\u00e8s Cuv\u00e9e after party, which features live music from the Associates, Icewine, sparkling wine, cider and local craft beer.<\/p>\n
The 2019 lineup of Niagara\u2019s best chefs at Cuv\u00e9e will include:<\/strong><\/p>\n A complete list of participating wineries can be found at cuvee.ca<\/a><\/p>\n\n