In light of Friday’s announcement from the University, CCOVI’s Analytical Services and Grapevine Virus Testing Services will both be closed on Wednesday, July 1, Thursday, July 2 and Friday, July 3, along with the rest of the Brock campus.
We will be happy to see you again on Monday, July 6.
Happy Canada Day!
– Lisa and Shufen (Analytical Services)
– Tony and Sud (Grapevine Virus Testing Services)
June 29 to July 26: ONLINE – WSET LEVEL 1 AWARD IN WINE
This is a beginner level wine course for those starting a wine career or those wishing to explore wine for personal interest. There is no prerequisite to register.
Registration Deadline: June 22, 2020 (10 am)
For more information and to register click here.
June 8 to July 12: 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 Deadline: June 1, 2020 (10 am)
For more information and to register click here.
June 22 to July 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.
Registration Deadline: June 15, 2020 (10 am)
For more information and to register click here.
Monday June 1 to June 28: ONLINE – WSET LEVEL 1 IN SPIRITS
This is a beginner level course for those starting a career in the spirits industry or those wishing to explore spirits for personal interest. There is no prerequisite to register.
Registration Deadline: May 25, 2020 (10 am)
For more information and to register click here.
Monday June 29 to August 2: 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.
Registration Deadline: June 22, 2020 (10 am)
For more information and to register click here.
Starting June 1st WSET students will be able to take their English language examinations for WSET Level 1 (Wine or Spirits) as well as WSET Level 2 (Wine or Spirits) on a computer at their home. Examinations may now be taken using Remote Invigilation (RI) technology. RI enables a candidate to sit their Level 1 exam on a computer in a secure, invigilated environment from their home where they are monitored via webcam, screen sharing technology and a secondary recording device. If you are interested in taking your examination by Remote Invigilation, please review the Candidate Information-Remote Invigilation document to assess your suitability for this type of examination. There is an additional charge to take your examination by RI (see below). Contact Barb Tatarnic at ccovi@brocku.ca if you have any questions and to confirm that you have read the Candidate Information–Remote Invigilation document and will proceed to register for your examination. See registration links below.
* Requests received past the Registration Deadline cannot be accepted.
WSET LEVEL 1 IN WINE: Monday June 15 – 6-6:45 p.m. (45 minutes)
Registration Deadline: May 22 (by 4 pm). Register Here
WSET LEVEL 1 IN WINE: Monday June 29 from 6-6:45 pm – 45 minutes
Registration Deadline: June 5 (by 4 pm). Register here
WSET LEVEL 1 IN WINE: Monday July 13 from 6-6:45 pm – 45 minutes
Registration Deadline: June 19 (by 4 pm). Register here
Good news! We have been given the green light for CCOVI’s Analytical Services and Grapevine Virus Testing Services to re-open next week. Our hours will be more limited, but we hope to do your essential tests. We will begin accepting emails on Monday, May 11 to begin scheduling sample drop-offs for Tuesday, May 12.
To keep everybody safe, service procedures will be slightly different for accepting samples:
Step 1:
Download and fill out the appropriate Sample Submission form:
Analytical Services form
Grapevine Virus Testing Services form
Step 2:
Email the form to ccovilab@brocku.ca (Analytical Services) or virustesting@brocku.ca (Grapevine Virus Testing Services) as a PDF, scan, or picture of the filled form. (No paper forms please!)
Once we receive the order, we will schedule sample drop-off for the next day.
Step 3:
Package your samples in a closed box or bag with the company name on the outside.
Step 4:
Bring your samples to Inniskillin Hall at the scheduled drop-off time. We will set up a table outside of the entry doors, since all of the doors are locked. Leave your samples on the table and we will retrieve them shortly.
For more information on our services, click the applicable link below:
Analytical Services
Grapevine Virus Testing Services
Thanks and talk to you soon!
– Lisa and Shufen (Analytical Services)
– Tony and Sud (Grapevine Virus Testing Services)
After a brief hiatus, the next presentation in the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) Lecture Series will be held via livestream on Monday, April 6 at 2 p.m.
CCOVI’s Senior Oenologist Belinda Kemp will livestream her lecture, “Effect on honey, dusty off-flavours and acetic acid in sparkling wines made from varying amounts of sour rotten grapes” from her home using the Lifesize video conferencing service.
The lectures are open to the public, and all are welcomed to tune in online and learn something new while practicing safe physical distancing at home. Details about accessing the livestream can be found on CCOVI’s Lecture Series webpage. The lecture will also be recorded, and that video, as well as Kemp’s lecture slides, will be available online on the same website. All other slides and videos from past lectures in the series are also housed on the website and will be updated regularly.
The final lecture scheduled in the series will not take place this year and will instead be added to the 2021 CCOVI Lecture Series. Lester Kwong, CCOVI Fellow and Brock Associate Professor and Department Chair of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, will give his lecture presentation in 2021. Stay tuned for the date of this lecture, and the entire program for the 2021 series, when it is announced.
The International Cool Climate Wine Symposium is being postponed until July, 2021.
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.
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.
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/
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.”
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.