July 18
This fun event coincides with i4C’s Friday Night Flights being held at the Niagara District Airport in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
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Brock research highlights market growth opportunities for sustainable wine
New research from Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) is providing insight into how wine retailers and producers can enhance consumer engagement with sustainable wines.
Just as more individuals are making eco-conscious choices, the wine industry is making inroads in creating more sustainable products, while also recognizing the environmental costs of traditional production methods, says Gary Pickering, CCOVI Researcher and Professor of Biological Sciences and Psychology.
“From the considerable water usage, use of fertilizers and chemicals, and even the effort to get finished product to market locally and around the world, wineries are beginning to understand this environmental cost and starting to explore more sustainable options,” he says. “We wanted to understand where that intersection of industry, sustainability value and
Gary Pickering, Brock University Professor of Biological Sciences and Psychology.
consumers is occurring and why.”
Published in the Journal of Wine Research and Food Research International, the resulting studies saw more than 700 Canadian wine consumers surveyed to determine their relationship and intentions with sustainably-produced wine.
“Much of the previous behavioural research around sustainable wines was limited to organic wine and measures of willingness to pay,” says Pickering. “Going beyond this, we explored a much wider range of factors, including social and economic dimensions of sustainability, consumer knowledge and the influence of wine engagement and demographics.”
To explore consumer behaviour regarding sustainable wines, Pickering used the survey to understand individuals’ perceptions of sustainable wines, and determined what demographic and behavioral measures could predict their interest in buying and paying a premium for them.
He began by identifying eight sustainable wine behaviours, based on previous research, that motivate people to engage with ecofriendly wine. These behaviours reflect active choice decision-making, such as choosing wines for environmental reasons or paying more for socially responsible wines when there is a cheaper alternative.
The survey also explored the level of involvement consumers had with wine, categorizing participants on their knowledge of and interest in wines, as well as their purchase frequency.
The final data piece to add market context to the study was consumer demographics.
The results showed that while many Canadians do not have a deep engagement with sustainable wines, there is significant potential to move them toward purchase of more sustainably-produced products through communication initiatives.
“Reviewing the data, it is evident most Canadian wine consumers are in a change state when it comes to sustainable wine behaviours,” says Pickering. “We can see there is a need for education and certification initiatives, such as sustainability labelling, to encourage and maintain the consumer shift to sustainable wines.”
The highest engagement with sustainable wines was with individuals who were typically younger, willing to spend more per bottle, more involved with wine generally and had acquired higher levels of education than other respondents.
“As a result, it could be argued that the more consumers know about and are engaged with wine, the greater the opportunities are for sustainability-orientated growers and producers in Canada,” Pickering says. “While 22 per cent of survey participants reported having no or very limited knowledge of sustainable wines, there’s no indication they are opposed to choosing more eco-ethical wines.
“Ultimately, our findings provide not only a foundation for further study, but also by identifying different consumer segments based on demographic and behavioral characteristics, marketers and retailers can better position sustainably produced wines. Ultimately, we are confident that by understanding and influencing consumer choice, this demand behaviour can support the sustainability initiatives happening throughout the Canadian wine industry.” he says.
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Great Chardo Swap boosts scholarship fund
Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) has raised $30,000 in support of the Karl J. Kaiser Memorial Fund through its Great Chardo Swap initiative.
The fund establishes scholarships for students studying Oenology and Viticulture (OEVI) at Brock.
Dedicated to advancing the Canadia
Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute Director Debbie Inglis said the funds raised in partnership with WineAlign as part of the Great Chardo Swap will be invaluable in supporting the next generation of winemakers.
n grape and wine industry, CCOVI developed the Great Chardo Swap to showcase different styles of Chardonnay, Ontario’s most widely planted white vinifera grape. The project, which brought together 12 of Niagara’s top winemakers to explore the impact of terroir versus winemaking, resulted in a limited release of unique Chardonnays from two vintages and vineyards in Niagara.
“The Great Chardo Swap has been a true collaboration from beginning to end. It would not have been possible without our incredible industry partners, from the participating winemakers to the wonderful team at WineAlign,” said CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis. “Karl was an incredible innovator and leader in the Ontario wine industry and we look forward to leveraging the funds raised to support the next generation of winemakers.”
CCOVI partnered with WineAlign to facilitate the orders of the Great Chardo Swap wines, which gave consumers the unique opportunity to explore 12 exclusive wines from each vintage developed as part of the initiative while supporting Brock students. The wines were released in February 2023 and sold quickly, with wine lovers across the country eager to try the unique offerings.
Bryan McCaw of WineAlign is pleased to have had the chance to support the country’s foremost wine research institute and to assist in bolstering the fund for future generations studying grape and wine science at Brock.
“We’re happy that our Exchange service was able to facilitate the Great Chardo Swap sales and charitable contributions for such a worthy cause,” he said. “We’ve been steadfast in our support of the Ontario and Canadian wine industry since our inception 15 years ago.”
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CCOVI introduces new micro-credentials to roster of professional and continuing studies offerings
Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) is launching a host of new micro-credential offerings targeted at boosting the skills and knowledge of those working in the wine and cider industry.
Micro-credentials, which are short courses designed to cultivate and verify a particular skill set desirable to employers, help participants to bridge pre-existing skills and knowledge in order to meet rapidly changing labour market demands.
In alignment with the Institute’s mission to provide continuing education and professional development opportunities to industry, successful completion of a micro-credential at CCOVI serves as a verification of the corresponding skills for employers. In addition to the credentials boasting the authority of Canada’s foremost institute dedicated to grape and wine research, education and outreach, the training programs are also subject to Brock University’s quality assurance processes and are approved by Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
With the introduction of the new micro-credentials, CCOVI is offering professionals the opportunity to upskill in advanced wine and cider production, wine marketing and the wine and spirits qualifications of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).
“We are excited to be launching these new micro-credentials, which are designed to provide targeted training and certification to wine and cider professionals,” said CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis. “These courses are a valuable resource for anyone looking to expand their skillset and advance their career in the industry.”
The new micro-credentials cover a range of topics related to the wine and cider industries, including sensory evaluation, lab skills and brand storytelling. The WSET qualifications cover a broad range of wine and spirits knowledge, from beginner to advanced levels.
“This is an exciting development for the Institute and our stakeholders and partners, as it provides a new way for professionals to continue learning and growing in their careers,” said Inglis. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact these micro-credentials will have on the industry as a whole.”
The following micro-credentials are available now and those interested can explore course availability and register via CCOVI’s professional and continuing studies web page:
- Certification in Ontario Wines
- Foundation in Winemaking (In-person and online)
- Wine Faults and Sensory Evaluation
- Winery Lab Skills
- Social Media Storytelling for Wine Brands
- Cider and Perry Production: Foundation (In-person)
- Essential Lab Testing of Cider and Perry
- Essential Sensory Evaluation of Cider and Perry
- Level 1 Award in Spirits (In-person and online)
- Level 1 Award in Wine (In-person and online)
- Level 2 Award in Spirits (In-person and online)
- Level 2 Award in Wine (In-person and online)
- Level 3 Award in Wine (In-person and online)
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CCOVI appoints new scientists in entomology and oenology
Brock University’s flagship research institute, the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), has appointed two new members to its team of scientists.
After a comprehensive global search for the top candidates, CCOVI Director Dr. Debbie Inglis is pleased to announce Dr. Malkie Spodek will join the Institute as Scientist in Entomology and Dr. Jennifer Kelly will take on the role of Scientist in Oenology effective May 1, 2023.
Spodek brings a wealth of knowledge in the field of plant protection and entomology. She is a Hemipteran specialist, which includes scale insects, psyllids, whiteflies, aphids, cicadas and leafhoppers, many of which are important agricultural pests. Prior to joining CCOVI, she spent five years as a research entomologist, where she focused on finding sustainable pest management solutions for the agricultural needs of the Arava region in Israel. She has also previously worked in biosecurity and helped to develop import regulations with risk assessments for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Israel.
In addition to her extensive background in identifying insects that are inadvertently imported with agriculture produce, Spodek brings hands-on experience working directly with farmers to address their pest challenges. She was also involved in several biocontrol projects, including using birds to manage insect pests, and has discovered and described several insect species new to science.
Her experience in running workshops and lecturing on agriculture topics such as plant pests, plant diseases and biological pest control will be invaluable to the Institute from an outreach perspective.
Spodek received her BSc in Environmental Studies and postgraduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing from York University in Toronto. She went on to complete her MSc in Agricultural Sciences in Entomology and PhD in Agro-Ecology and Plant Health from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel.
She currently serves as the Collection Manager of Hemiptera at The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History in Tel Aviv, Israel and is a member of the Entomological Societies of Canada, the U.S. and Israel.
“I am excited about this opportunity to work with grape growers in the wine region of Ontario and to apply my international experience to develop research programs that will build on current pest management practices,” said Spodek.
Kelly brings a unique perspective to the oenologist position, as she has worked in the grape and wine industry for over a decade in both cellars and an academic capacity, with the majority of this time focused on research that sought to improve the quality of Ontario wine and address specific industry challenges.
Before completing her PhD at Brock, Kelly worked in wineries across Niagara and the Barossa Valley in Australia, gaining practical, hands-on wine production experience. Her PhD and post-doctoral projects focused on research pertinent to the Niagara grape and wine industry, involving local yeast isolates, red wine production, botrytis and volatile acidity concerns and aromatic white wine production with a focus on fruity aromas associated with Sauvignon blanc.
Kelly’s focus on developing mitigation tools to assist industry with resilience to climate change and experience testing oenological methods on wine quality and consumer preferences through her PhD and post-doctoral research demonstrate her ability to tackle industry challenges in premium wine production.
Her research experience in basic wine analysis, advanced aroma chemistry, wine sensory evaluation and consumer behavior will also serve the Ontario and broader Canadian wine industry in addressing their needs.
She has also taught labs in wine chemistry, wine microbiology, wine sensory evaluation; run workshops in wine appreciation for non-specialists; and holds an advanced certificate in teaching and learning in higher education, which will be beneficial in CCOVI’s outreach efforts.
Kelly completed her Honours BSc in Psychology and BSc in Natural Sciences at Lakehead University and earned her PhD in Biotechnology in Oenology at Brock University. She also holds a Wine and Viticulture Technician Certificate from Niagara College.
She currently serves as Senior Lab Demonstrator and Professional Studies Instructor at CCOVI.
“I am honoured and excited to take on the role of CCOVI Scientist in Oenology,” said Kelly. “I truly believe in our grape and wine industry and am eager to address their needs through future research endeavours. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in CCOVI, the wider Brock community and industry partners once again and look forward to the 2023 harvest.”
Inglis is looking forward to Spodek and Kelly joining the CCOVI team in May.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Spodek and Dr. Kelly to our team at CCOVI. Their combined expertise in entomology and oenology will greatly enhance the Institute’s ability to address the challenges faced by the grape and wine industry in our region and beyond,” said Inglis. “We look forward to the contributions they will make to CCOVI’s leading edge research programs and outreach initiatives.”
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Order to explore the Great Chardo Swap wines!
What dictates the style of a wine, the winemaker, or the terroir?
The Great Chardo Swap, spearheaded by Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) Principal Scientist Belinda Kemp, sought to answer that very question.
The concept? Six winemakers from east of the Welland Canal made wine from Chardonnay grapes grown on the west side of the canal, and six winemakers from the west side made wine from grapes grown on the east. Beyond using the same juice, closures and bottles, winemakers had free rein to craft their wines however they desired.
Thanks to a partnership with WineAlign, wine lovers can explore these exclusive bottles for themselves, all while supporting students studying grape and wine science at Brock University. Wines will be sold by the case (12 bottles) for $299 plus shipping, with $150 from each case sale donated to the Karl J. Kaiser Memorial Fund to establish scholarships for students studying Oenology and Viticulture (OEVI) at Brock University, with a charitable receipt of $150 provided to each customer. The Kaiser Family is grateful for everyone’s contributions and efforts on this project to support the fund that was created in memory of iconic Canadian pioneering winemaker Karl Kaiser.
WineAlign’s Michael Godel tasted through the wines last July, “The results from The Great Chardo Swap are astonishing and compose a picture of nature versus nurture. The question is, which matters more? For neophyte Bench winemakers trying to figure out fruit from Niagara-on-the-Lake it is important to remember lions of the industry like Karl Kaiser and Donald Ziraldo, but also the fact that Montague is a really good vineyard. For makers on the Niagara flats it’s an opportunity to push making Bench chardonnay into a new milieu, to turn it into something it’s never been known to do before. The only way to know is to decide for yourself. Purchase and taste through one of these cases – You just might find your own answer.”
Wines are available for purchase in 12 bottle case formats:
- Mixed case from all 12 wineries from 2017
- Mixed case from all 12 wineries from 2018
- Random mixed case of Chardonnays from various wineries from 2017 or 2018
These wines were produced in limited quantities, so place your order as soon as possible to ensure you have the opportunity to taste these unique expressions of Niagara Chardonnay for yourself!
The Great Chardo Swap winemakers include:
East-side winemaking team
- Fabian Reis, Ferox by Fabian Reis
- J.L. Groux, Stratus Vineyards
- Ann Sperling, Southbrook Vineyards
- Amélie Boury, Château des Charmes
- Nicholas Gizuk, Inniskillin Wines
- Craig McDonald, Trius Winery
West-side winemaking team
- Casey Kulczyk, Westcott Vineyards
- Emma Garner, Thirty Bench Wine Makers
- Angelo Pavan/Gabriel Demarco, Cave Spring Vineyard
- Lawrence Buhler, Henry of Pelham Family Estate
- Shiraz Mottiar, Malivoire Wine Company
- Thomas Bachelder, Bachelder
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Remembering Paul Pender
It is with great sadness that the CCOVI team learned of the tragic and senseless loss of well-known winemaker Paul Pender of Tawse Winery in Vineland. Paul was deeply involved in the Niagara wine community and was a regular collaborator and participant at many CCOVI education events including FIZZ Club, Experts Tasting and Cuvée. Many of us at CCOVI had the pleasure of working with Paul through the years and will miss his brilliance, sense of humour and easy-going nature.
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Brock’s CCOVI celebrates 25 years of research excellence
Karl Kaiser and Donald Ziraldo at the opening of Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, in the new Inniskillin Hall building, in 1999.
Although harvest season is always a special time in Niagara, this vintage also marks a major milestone for Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI).
The Institute turned 25 last month, commemorating a quarter-century since its inception on Oct. 26, 1996.
“While things have changed a great deal over the past 25 years, our commitment to our industry and community partners has remained at the heart of what we do at CCOVI,” Director Debbie Inglis said. “It has been amazing to see everything we have accomplished together.”
The time for popping sparkling wine and gathering in celebration will come in 2022, as soon as it is safe to do so in true CCOVI style. For now, the CCOVI team is reflecting on its two and a half decades of achievements.
The idea for CCOVI began at the Queen’s Landing Forum in Toronto, where 37 individuals from Brock University and the grape and wine community determined that the industry needed its own cool climate grape and wine research institute.
In this Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) file photo, Jim Willwerth is seen collecting samples of grapevines for CCOVI’s VineAlert program.
A short time later, CCOVI was born, in partnership with the Wine Council of Ontario (now known as the Ontario Craft Wineries and Wine Growers Ontario) and the Grape Growers of Ontario (GGO).
The Institute has since become internationally recognized for its leading-edge research and its continuing education, outreach and professional development opportunities. It is still supported by its inaugural partners today and has inked new partnerships with Ontario Grape and Wine Research Inc. (OGWRI) and the Canadian Grapevine Certification Network (CGCN), among others.
A year after CCOVI was created, Brock’s Oenology and Viticulture program welcomed its first cohort of undergraduate grape and wine students. Hundreds of graduate and undergraduate students have been trained by the CCOVI team since.
In 1999, Donald Ziraldo and John Howard led a $2.1-million fundraising campaign from members of the national grape and wine industry, allowing CCOVI to open the doors to its very own building: Inniskillin Hall.
Del Rollo, Chair of The Board Of Directors, Wine Growers Ontario, said all the Institute has achieved over the past 25 years “has been, and will continue to be, fundamental to the success of Ontario’s grape and wine industry.”
“Wine Growers Ontario thanks CCOVI for its dedication to our industry that supports more than 18,000 jobs in Ontario,” he added.
Tim Kenyon, Brock’s Vice-President, Research, congratulated “the entire CCOVI team” for the tangible impact its research program has had over the last two and a half decades.
“CCOVI has earned its excellent reputation by supporting scientific and scholarly inquiry in genuine collaboration with industry, community and government partners,” he added.
Ziraldo, who is still a close partner of the institute today, points to the flagship VineAlert program as an example of the game-changing research coming out of CCOVI. The program alerts growers to plummeting temperatures so they can turn on their wind machines to help protect their vines from winter damage.
“Before CCOVI created this, you had to essentially go out and hold a thermometer up in the air,” Ziraldo recalled. “I remember driving around at night to check the temperature of different vineyards, it was just crazy. Now you can set it up so that the wind machine comes on automatically to align with Brock’s data.”
CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis, centre, is pictured speaking with Karl Kaiser and Donald Ziraldo at the 10th anniversary celebration of Brock’s Oenology and Viticulture program in 2010.
OGWRI Chair Matthias Oppenlaender and GGO CEO Debbie Zimmerman also raised a glass to the impact CCOVI has had on “Ontario’s 500 grape growing farm families.”
“CCOVI’s ongoing research and support of Ontario’s grape growers is crucial in improving grapevine health, including mitigating winter injury,” they said in a joint statement on behalf of the GGO, OGWRI and CGCN. “The successful development of VineAlert is a major accomplishment for CCOVI and an important tool for protecting our vineyards to ensure the local grape and wine industry remains strong and sustainable.”
CCOVI’s robust research program tackles industry research priorities from the vine to the glass, as well as providing Preharvest Monitoring, Analytical Services and Grapevine Virus Testing. It also hosts thousands of community and industry members at its outreach events every year and provides professional certifications in wine, cider and spirits to more than 200 continuing education students annually.
Ontario Craft Wineries President Richard Linley said the organization has been “proud to partner” with CCOVI, highlighting their collaboration on the first-of-its-kind Certification in Ontario Wine.
“We look forward to further building on our partnership with CCOVI as our industry and this valuable institution continues to grow,” he added.
As for what lies ahead, Inglis is excited by CCOVI’s work to better understand consumer choice using augmented and virtual reality technology in the Institute’s R3CL Lab, its initiatives to support the sustainability of the industry and mitigate the impacts of climate change, and the implementation of a national clean plant program for grapevines.
All of which, she stresses, are possible thanks to CCOVI’s strong partnerships.
Brock University Interim President Lynn Wells echoes the sentiment.
“CCOVI’s numerous research, outreach and continuing education activities over the past 25 years have created meaningful and lasting partnerships within our local community and beyond,” she said. “We look forward to seeing what the next 25 years will bring.”
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New Outreach Brief Available: Tips For Managing Sour Rot in the Winery
Sour rot is a recurring problem in early season thin-skinned, tight-clustered grape varieties, such as Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Gamay and Baco noir, and has been responsible for more than $1.5 million in crop loss in a given season in the Ontario region, when weather conditions promote infection.
CCOVI has assembled an Outreach Brief: Tips For Managing Sour Rot in the Winery, to help the industry addresses the challenges associated with sour rot, such as helping winemakers minimize the negative impacts of sour rot on wine quality and decrease a loss of income from reduced yield.
This brief was created with support from Ontario Grape and Wine Research Inc. and the Canadian Grapevine Certification Network(CGCN-RCCV), as part of the Grape and Wine Science research cluster.
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Brock University toasts gift of 2,500 historically significant wines
Toronto-based wine expert Michael Vaughan has donated his collection of rare, award-winning Canadian wines to Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI).
Renowned wine expert Michael Vaughan has selected Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) as the new home of his impeccably preserved collection of award-winning Canadian wines.
The Michael Vaughan Wine Collection contains 2,500 bottles of historical wines from across the country, including a number of extremely rare bottles that date back decades. The collection has been personally curated and preserved by Vaughan and contains some of the last-remaining bottles of their kind that are still in mint condition and drinkable.
Vaughan, who earned his PhD in International Economics from the University of Toronto, was a Professor of Economics at Ryerson University before becoming an award-winning national wine writer and critic. He said his collection was curated with intellectual pursuits in mind. As an educator himself, Vaughan said he felt CCOVI’s state-of-the-art facilities and reputation for research and educational excellence made it an ideal partner for both housing and utilizing his unique collection.
“I wanted to make sure the wines I have accumulated went somewhere where they could be a useful learning experience,” he said. “I wanted to share them with an academic institution. The most important one for me was Brock, because it made sense that it went to a place where the students, the faculty and the winemakers could experience the evolution of these wines and see how good they still were and how they had changed over all of these years.”
Brock University has become a trusted steward for unique, historically significant collections, including the Alexander Hamilton collection that was donated to the Brock Library’s Archives and Special Collections last year.
CCOVI Debbie Inglis is pictured adding some of the wines in the Michael Vaughan Wine Collection to the Institute’s cellar.
Debbie Inglis, Director of Brock’s CCOVI, said the Michael Vaughan Wine Collection is a prime example of how gifts of this kind and ongoing partnerships with donors can serve students, researchers and the community for years to come.
“This generous donation, coupled with Michael’s expertise, will be a valuable asset to the Institute as we work to address the evolving research and outreach needs of our industry and educate future generations of grape growers and winemakers,” she said. “This collection serves as a living history of the evolution of Canadian wine, allowing us to learn from the past and bolster the sustainability and success of our industry in the future.”
The collection will be housed in CCOVI’s 44,000-bottle capacity wine cellar, where the wines will be climate-controlled, archived and preserved as part of the Institute’s Canadian Wine Library.
“This donation contains wines from some of Canada’s top wine vintages, including 1998 and 1999, and to have these coming through our doors is very exciting,” said Barb Tatarnic, CCOVI’s Manager of Continuing Education and Outreach. “It opens up a treasure trove of opportunities for CCOVI to take a deep dive into these wines and to offer tastings and research opportunities that look at things like ageability, the impact that good vineyard practices have on the quality of wines, climate, weather impacts on vintage variation and much, much more.”Vaughan has been studying, collecting and writing about wine for more than 50 years, documenting the 1970s resurgence of the Canadian wine industry first-hand. He is the Publisher/Editor of Vintage Assessments, a not-for-profit publication dedicated to professional buyers, sommeliers and wine lovers, and has personally tasted and critiqued tens of thousands of the world’s top wines.
The value of the collection he is gifting to Brock lies in the health of the wines themselves, which he preserved in a climate- and humidity-controlled environment and routinely evaluated for quality using a time-honoured technique to preserve their integrity.
“I keep my wine very cold because I don’t want it to evolve, so my secret of having wines that are still drinkable after 50 years is the temperature,” Vaughan said. “The wines that have been donated to CCOVI had never moved out of my climate-controlled storage.”
Vaughan will continue to offer his breadth of expertise and collaborate with CCOVI on various outreach, research and educational opportunities involving the presentation of these wines going forward.
“This is the fun part,” he said. “I really want to continue working with Brock, including on some interesting projects I have in mind.”
CCOVI, which is poised to celebrate its 25th anniversary in October, is developing plans for hosting these opportunities, as well as an event to celebrate the donation, in the near future.
