Articles by author: sackles

  • International Cool Climate Wine Symposium postponed to 2021

    Wednesday, March 25, 2020 | By

    The International Cool Climate Wine Symposium is being postponed until July, 2021.

    As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause significant uncertainty and risk to public health around the globe, the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium (ICCWS) 2020 Advisory Organizing Committee has made the decision to postpone its upcoming conference until 2021.The ICCWS 2020, which was slated to take place this July, will now be held at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada from July 25 to 29, 2021. The Symposium is being organized by Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) alongside its research and industry partners across the country.

    This difficult decision was made after careful evaluation of all currently available information from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Niagara Region Public Health, and the World Health Organization.

    The province of Ontario, where the conference was scheduled to be held, is currently operating under a state of emergency. That, combined with global travel restrictions and other rapidly evolving COVID-19 response measures, led the committee to determine that postponing the ICCWS is in the best interest of all attendees, partners, sponsors and organizers.

    “With the great degree of uncertainty that lies ahead, we believe postponing the conference is the best option to ensure a safe and successful event for all involved,” said CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis, Chair of the ICCWS 2020 Advisory Organizing Committee. “While we are disappointed we will not be able to come together to celebrate innovations and advances in cool climate grape, wine and business research this year, we place everyone’s health, safety and well-being above all else. We look forward to showcasing our Canadian grape and wine industry to the world when we host ICCWS in July 2021.”

    All registered delegates, invited speakers, sponsors and trade show exhibitors will be contacted directly in the coming days with more information. All payments made for conference registration, sponsorships and trade show booths will be honoured and applied to the 2021 date. Refunds will be issued to those who do not want payments used for the rescheduled date.

    “We appreciate your ongoing support in this extremely difficult time and wish you all the very best in the weeks and months to come,” said Inglis.

    For further updates as they become available, please visit the ICCWS website.

    Categories: Media releases

  • Continuing Education Update

    Tuesday, March 24, 2020 | By

    Brock University has suspended face-to-face classes and examinations through to the end of the examination period, April 6 to April 23. This includes all CCOVI Continuing Education class offerings and examinations. Please go to CCOVI’s Continuing Education Page and then to your specific course or program for further information and any rescheduled dates.

    WSET: 

    In class courses:
    Currently all face-to-face classes are suspended. Students who are currently mid-course have been notified and will be contacted with further information as it becomes available.

    Online courses:
    Online courses are running and can be a great alternate mode of study. Go to Online Courses  for a full listing of CCOVI’s online offerings. However, examinations for online courses are done face-to-face through your program provider and are currently suspended until after June 1 (see the “Examinations” statement below). Online students are given up to one year from the last date of their course to write their examination.

    Examinations:
    No examinations will take place until after June 1, 2020. Any changes to this date will be based on the advice from public health experts at the regional, provincial and national levels and will be posted to the Continuing Education website. WSET is also working on an online examination option and further information will be circulated as it becomes available.

     

     

  • Closures at CCOVI

    Tuesday, March 17, 2020 | By

    As of Monday March 16, Brock University has mandated that all non-essential employees must now transition to working off-site until further notice.

    This means that CCOVI Analytical Services and Grapevine Virus Testing Service will not be able to receive or analyze samples. We’re disappointed that we won’t be able to keep working with you through this tough time, but we take your health and safety very seriously. This decision was made to mitigate risk, encourage social distancing and protect the health and wellbeing of our clients, Brock faculty, staff, and students, and the broader community. We look forward to seeing you as soon as we can.

    If you need to contact Analytical Services: you can reach Lisa at ldowling@brocku.ca or Shufen at sxu@brocku.ca.

    If you need to contact Grapevine Virus Testing Service: the team can be reached at virustesting@brocku.ca

    For more updates on Brock’s response to COVID-19 visit: brocku.ca/coronavirus/

  • CCOVI Lecture Series now exclusively online

    Friday, March 13, 2020 | By

    As Brock University is suspending face-to-face classes and exams for the rest of this academic term, the final three lectures in our 2020 CCOVI Lecture series will solely continue via livestream. There will be no in-person attendance.

    You can continue to access our lectures at 2 p.m. on Monday March 16, 23 and 30 here.

    The following lectures are affected by this change:

    Monday, March 16
    Jim Willwerth
    CCOVI Senior Viticulturist, Brock University
    Topic: “A decade of freezing buds and blankets. The trials and tribulations of cold hardiness and freeze protection research.”

    Monday, March 23
    Belinda Kemp
    CCOVI Senior Oenologist, Brock University
    Topic: “Effect on honey, dusty off-flavours and acetic acid in sparkling wines made from varying amounts of sour rotten grapes.”

    Monday, March 30
    Lester Kwong
    Associate Professor of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Brock University
    Topic: “Judging Wines: Preferences, Evaluation, and Aggregation.”

  • Cuvée 2020 has been cancelled

    Friday, March 13, 2020 | By

    Friday, March 13, 2020
    2:07 p.m.

    As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a threat to public health, Brock University is taking necessary steps to protect the safety of our students and staff, but also of our neighbours and community partners, including our guests and friends of Cuvée.

    As Brock monitors the advice of public health experts at the regional, provincial and national level, it has announced it is suspending all University-hosted events through June 1.

    As a result, Cuvée 2020 has been cancelled. This difficult decision is taken out of concern and regard for the wellbeing of all members of the public.

    We will be reaching out to all of our partners and ticket holders in the coming days with further information, and we sincerely thank everyone for the continued support of Cuvée.

    We appreciate your patience and ongoing support. Stay safe, and watch this website and cuvee.ca for further information — including the date for Cuvée 2021.

    Categories: Media releases

  • Bids open to host International Cool Climate Wine Symposium 2024

    Wednesday, March 04, 2020 | By

    Brock University is hosting the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium (ICCWS) for the first time in Canada this July and is responsible for selecting the host country for the 2024 conference.

    As Brock University prepares to welcome the world at the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium (ICCWS) this July, the organizing committee will also be responsible for selecting the host country for the 2024 conference.

    Those interested in hosting the upcoming conference are being invited to create a pitch video and submit their bid on the ICCWS 2020 website from now until March 31, 2020.

    The prestigious international conference is held in a different country once every four years, with Canada winning the bid to host the 2020 conference from July 12 to 16 at Brock. This is the first time the conference has been held in Canada and it will feature a full-slate of rigorous scientific programming and pre- and-post-conference events to highlight the country’s grape and wine industry. Canada’s conference pitch was a collective effort between Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) and stakeholder organizations across the country.

    Brock’s Debbie Inglis, Chair of the ICCWS Advisory Organizing Committee and Director of CCOVI, said the ICCWS offers an exceptional opportunity for the winning host country to share their unique cool climate story and showcase their wines to the world.

    “The conference brings the foremost experts in viticulture, oenology, wine business, sustainability and science communications together to share cutting-edge research that will help strengthen cool climate grape and wine production in not only the host country, but around the world,” she said. “I look forward to seeing the pitch videos and selecting the next country to host this important conference for our industry.”

    Pitch videos should be a maximum of 10 minutes in length and must include the following:

    • An overview of the host country and its grape and wine industry
    • Ease of access to the conference location by flight, train or car for international delegates
    • Other tourist interests to experience in the area
    • The partners developing and running the conference (local municipalities, government, academia, industry)
    • The conference theme, some program highlights to be developed and the envisioned conference format for lectures, technical sessions and workshops
    • The proposed date for the conference in 2024, the expected conference venue and the number of delegates that can be accommodated
    • Any experience the organizing committee has with conferences of this calibre

    Videos should be uploaded digitally to either YouTube, Dropbox or iCloud for the committee to access and download. The winner will be announced at the ICCWS 2020 closing ceremony on Thursday, July 16.

    For more information and to submit your bid, please visit the ICCWS 2020 website.

  • March Dates & Deadlines

    Monday, March 02, 2020 | By

    Continuing Education

    March 2 to April 5: ONLINE – WSET LEVEL 2 AWARD IN WINES
    Explore major grape varieties and important wine regions in which they are grown, the styles of wines produced from these grapes and key classifications and labelling terminology.
    Registration for this course is now closed.

    March 16 to April 19: ONLINE – WSET LEVEL 2 IN SPIRITS
    A specialized program for individuals wishing to develop their expertise in spirits and liqueurs. You’ll learn about the production methods and characteristics of the main spirit categories while also exploring key brands and the use of spirits in cocktails.
    For more information and to register click here.

    March 23 to April 26: ONLINE – WSET LEVEL 2 AWARD IN WINES
    Explore major grape varieties and important wine regions in which they are grown, the styles of wines produced from these grapes and key classifications and labelling terminology.
    For more information and to register click here.

    CCOVI Lecture Series

    March 9: Sudarsana Poojari
    CCOVI Senior Virologist, Brock University
    Topic: “    Advances in the diagnosis of grapevine virus diseases.”

    March 16: Jim Willwerth
    CCOVI Senior Viticulturist, Brock University
    Topic: “A decade of freezing buds and blankets. The trials and tribulations of cold hardiness and freeze protection research.”

    March 23: Belinda Kemp
    CCOVI Senior Oenologist, Brock University
    Topic: “Effect on honey, dusty off-flavours and acetic acid in sparkling wines made from varying amounts of sour rotten grapes.”

    March 30: Lester Kwong
    Associate Professor of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Brock University
    Topic: “Judging Wines: Preferences, Evaluation, and Aggregation.”

    affiliated events

    March 16: ICCWS 2020 early bird deadline
    The International Cool Climate Wine Symposium (ICCWS) is coming to Canada from July 12 to 16, 2020, where leading researchers, winemakers, grape growers, educators and media from around the world will gather at Brock University for the 10th instalment of the symposium. Early bird pricing is currently available for conference registration at $800 for professionals (regular $1150), and $500 for students. This includes access to research seminars, masterclasses, wine tastings and workshops and will be available until March 16 at 11:59pm EST.
    Visit registration page
    Download the program schedule (PDF)
    View the hour-by-hour program schedule

    Cuvée 2020 tickets on sale
    Tickets are on sale now for the Cuvée Grand Tasting, to be held on April 25.
    The Cuvée en Route program runs the entire weekend of Cuvée, from April 24-26

    Categories: Dates and Deadlines

  • Tickets selling fast for Ontario’s biggest VQA celebration

    Tuesday, March 20, 2018 | By

    MEDIA RELEASE: 19 march 2018 –R00057

    The wines have been chosen and Ontario’s top winemakers are ready to pour their favourites this Friday, March 23 at the 30th annual Cuvée Grand Tasting.

    Organized by Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), the Cuvée Grand Tasting takes place at Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls and is expected to be another sold-out affair. The event is the largest celebration of VQA wine of its kind, and highlights the $4.4-billion Ontario wine industry.

    “We’ll have 48 of Ontario’s best and brightest VQA wineries on hand this year pouring two of their winemakers’ favourite wines for our guests to enjoy,” said Cuvée manager Barb Tatarnic. “Local chefs will also be serving our guests a variety of tantalizing culinary options that are sure to excite every palate as we celebrate this 30-year milestone.”

    As well as providing the opportunity to showcase VQA wines to consumers, Cuvée also provides future grape growers and winemakers the chance to interact directly with key industry players.

    The event generated

    more than $37,000 for the fund in 2017 alone.

    “Winning the Graduate Scholarship last year was a tremendous honour and the recognition amongst elite contributors to the wine industry was quite surreal,” said Brock PhD candidate Jennifer Kelly, a beneficiary of the Cuvée Legacy Fund. “It’s such a fun event and offers a unique opportunity for students to access people they may otherwise never have a chance to meet. It also allows everyone to connect with industry friends who are rarely all in one place.”

    Champions in the province’s wine industry will also be showcased at the event, including the first-ever Winemaker of Excellence award. The winner will be announced live before the evening’s popular Après Cuvée begins. Guests are then invited to dance the rest of the

    Proceeds from the event support the Cuvée Legacy Fund, which was established to fund

    industry-driven research initiatives and scholarships for students.

    evening away to live music from local band The Associates, as well as sample Icewine, sparkling wine, cider and local craft beer selections.

    The Cuvée en Route passport program will extend the wine celebration all weekend long running from March 23 to 25 at participating wineries across Niagara. A complete list of participating wineries at the Grand Tasting and en Route can be found at cuvee.ca

    Tickets, which include both the Friday night Grand Tasting and the en Route passport are available online at cuvee.ca/tickets for $200 per person. Tickets for the en Route passport only are $30.

    For those attending the Grand Tasting, a free shuttle service will be available to bring guests from the Scotiabank Convention Centre parking lot right to the front doors.

    NOTE: Media interested in attending Cuvée Friday are asked to RSVP as soon as possible to Media Relations Officer Dan Dakin below.

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

    * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

    Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

    Brock oenology and viticulture student, Genevieve Dublow, is among the numerous student volunteers who participate in Cuvée by working directly with the industry’s top winemakers during the Grand Tasting. This year’s Cuvée event is taking place Friday, March 23 at Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls.

    – 30 –

    Categories: Media releases

  • 2018 CCOVI News

    Thursday, January 18, 2018 | By

    2018 Winter Edition 
    2018 Spring Edition
    2018 Summer Edition 
    2018 Fall Edition

    Categories: CCOVI Newsletters

  • Brock set to share cutting-edge wine research with return of CCOVI Lecture Series

    Wednesday, January 10, 2018 | By

    MEDIA RELEASE: 10 JANUARY 2018 –R00006

    Wine aficionados from around the world can soak up Brock University’s leading grape and wine research as the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) Lecture Series returns for its 11th year.

    Ten speakers from across CCOVI’s network of researchers, scientists, fellows and professional affiliates are participating in this year’s series. Topics will span a wide range from the debate over screw cap versus cork closures on wine bottles, to why we buy certain sparkling wines and the latest research on cold hardiness, leaf removal impacts and extracting polyphenolics during ice syrup production.

    The series has become a highly anticipated event both locally and for those accessing the lecture remotely through livestreaming capabilities. In 2017, the CCOVI Lecture Series garnered more than 1,200 views from 51 countries around the world.

    “We are pleased to once again bring the latest in grape and wine research from the lab to the classroom,” said CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis. “Sharing knowledge and providing outreach opportunities like the lecture series is an important part of CCOVI’s mandate and is of tremendous benefit to our industry and our students.”

    The series will begin Monday, Jan. 15 with a special presentation of the late Karl Kaiser’s popular talk, “Pinot Noir: The savage yet seductive grape,” by Flat Rock Cellars winemaker David Sheppard.

    Having worked predominantly on Pinot Noir production alongside Kaiser at Inniskillin makes Sheppard uniquely qualified to pay tribute to the industry icon though sharing his still-relevant lecture with a new audience.

    “Being able to once again share Karl Kaiser’s lecture and record it for future generations to access is so exciting,” said Inglis. “He was a gifted educator and there is no better way to pay tribute to his life’s work than beginning our lecture series by educating a new generation.”

    The free lectures start at 2 p.m. every Monday and will take place in room H313 of the Mackenzie Chown complex at Brock University. Paid parking is available in the nearby Lot E. The lectures will also be available to watch online by visiting webapp.lifesizecloud.com

    For more information and to see archived lecture videos, visit the CCOVI Lecture Series website.

    2018 CCOVI Lecture Series:

    Jan. 15:  David Sheppard, Winemaker, Flat Rock Cellars
    “Pinot Noir: The savage yet seductive grape.”

    Jan. 22: Janet Dorozynski, Trade Commissioner, Canadian Wine, Beer, Spirits and Tourism at Global Affairs Canada
    “Promoting Canada internationally through wine and food.”

    Jan. 29: Belinda Kemp, CCOVI Senior Oenologist, Brock University
    “    How method, timing and severity of leaf removal impacts Cabernet franc wine flavour.”

    Feb. 5: Ronald Jackson, Wine Writer, Author
    “Get corked (the intricacies of cork closures and their alternatives).”

    Feb. 12: Annette Nassuth, Associate Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph
    “Do grapes SCREAM for frost tolerance?”

    Feb. 26: Jim Willwerth, CCOVI Senior Viticulturist, Brock University
    “Effects of abscisic acid form, concentration and application timing on grapevine cold hardiness.”

    Mar. 5: George Soleas, President and CEO at LCBO
    “TBA”

    Mar. 12: Tek Thongpapanl, Professor of Marketing and Product Innovation,
    Marketing, International Business & Strategy, Goodman School of Business, Brock University
    “Why we buy the sparkling wine that we buy.”

    Mar. 19: Baozhong Meng, Associate Professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph
    “Grapevine viruses, their impact and their distribution in Ontario.”

    Mar. 26: Jeff Stuart, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Brock University
    “Sweet, sticky, and healthy — using metabolomics to develop a ‘green’ protocol for extracting resveratrol and other polyphenolics from the waste pomace of ice syrup production.”

     

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

    * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

     Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

    – 30 –

    Flat Rock Cellars Winemaker David Sheppard, left, with the late Karl Kaiser. Sheppard will kick off the 2018 CCOVI Lecture Series Monday, Jan. 15 by giving a talk originally presented by Kaiser titled “Pinot Noir: The savage yet seductive grape.”

    Categories: In the news, Media releases

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