From exploring new Ontario wine varieties to tackling vineyard viruses, industry experts will discuss the latest grape and wine research when the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) Lecture Series returns for 2025.<\/p>\n
Beginning Monday, Jan. 27, the nine-week series will allow members of the Brock and wider communities to benefit from free public talks, offered in person and online, featuring the work of CCOVI-affiliated researchers. CCOVI Principal Scientist, Grapevine Virology Sudarsana Poojari will kick off the series with the lecture Diagnostic Tools and Techniques for Plant Virus Identification.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis series is important because it gives CCOVI grape and wine researchers the opportunity to speak about the impacts of their research and how that research helps grow and improve productivity in the industry,\u201d says CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis.<\/p>\n
While CCOVI develops its industry research priorities in response to the needs of growers, wine makers, winery owners and associated stakeholders, Inglis says getting information into the hands of those who need it most is just as important as doing the research.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd one way for us to do that \u2014 to make sure that the results are getting translated and mobilized \u00ad\u2014 is through the CCOVI lecture series,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Now in its 18th year, the series also serves as a valuable resource library with each year\u2019s content archived on the CCOVI website<\/a> for anyone to access anytime.<\/p>\n \u201cNot only are there new data, new implications and new results coming out each year, but we also find that people sometimes need a refresher or to take in a topic addressed a few years ago,\u201d says Inglis.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s topics include disease and insect issues in the vineyard, new grape varieties for Ontario wine, local yeast strains for wine improvement and the important role storytelling plays in wine marketing.<\/p>\n