News

  • CCOVI Lecture Series continues via livestream April 6

    Thursday, April 02, 2020 | Posted by

    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.

    Categories: What's happening at CCOVI

  • International Cool Climate Wine Symposium postponed to 2021

    Wednesday, March 25, 2020 | Posted 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, What's happening at CCOVI

  • Continuing Education Update

    Tuesday, March 24, 2020 | Posted 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.

     

     

    Categories: What's happening at CCOVI

  • Closures at CCOVI

    Tuesday, March 17, 2020 | Posted 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/

    Categories: What's happening at CCOVI

  • CCOVI Lecture Series now exclusively online

    Friday, March 13, 2020 | Posted 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.”

    Categories: What's happening at CCOVI

  • Cuvée 2020 has been cancelled

    Friday, March 13, 2020 | Posted 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: What's happening at CCOVI

  • Bids open to host International Cool Climate Wine Symposium 2024

    Wednesday, March 04, 2020 | Posted 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.

    Categories: What's happening at CCOVI

  • March Dates & Deadlines

    Monday, March 02, 2020 | Posted 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, What's happening at CCOVI

  • CCOVI in the news – 2020

    Wednesday, January 15, 2020 | Posted by

    March 3, 2020 – The Brock News -Bids open to host International Cool Climate Wine Symposium 2024
    January 7, 2020 – The Brock News – Popular CCOVI Lecture Series returns this month
    January 4, 2020 – The Daily Courier – The Okanagan’s newest winery

    Categories: In the news

  • January Dates & Deadlines

    Thursday, November 14, 2019 | Posted by

    January 6 to February 9: 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.

    January 6 to February 2: 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.
    For more information and to register click here.

    January 13 to May 4: WSET LEVEL 3 AWARD IN WINES
    This is an advanced level course for wine industry professionals, or those seeking to join the profession, or for wine enthusiasts wishing to develop a deeper understanding of wine. This qualification will assist those who may be required to make professional evaluations of wines as to its quality and commercial value.  Level 3 will provide registrants with in depth product knowledge that, in turn, will strengthen and support your job skills in product selection for the retail and hospitality sectors.
    For more information and to register click here.

    January 14 to March 10: WINES OF ONTARIO
    A special interest course focused on the wines of Ontario – how they are grown and made. Become familiar with VQA wines and the viticultural areas in which they are grown. Upon successful completion students will receive the Ontario Craft Wineries (formerly known as the Wine Council of Ontario) Certification.
    For more information and to register click here.

    January 15 to April 1: WINE APPRECIATION II – WINE REGIONS OF THE WORLD
    This is a special interest course designed to deepen and refine your wine tasting skills as you explore the major wine regions of the world. Discover wines from historic Old World regions as well as the emerging New World wine regions including South Africa and New Zealand.
    For more information and to register click here.

    January 27 to March 1: 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.

    ICCWS 2020 registration open & Sponsorship and Tradeshow opportunities available
    The International Cool Climate Wine Symposium (ICCWS) is coming to Canada next summer and sponsorship opportunities are now available along with Tradeshow registration. From July 12 to 16, 2020, leading researchers, winemakers, grape growers, educators and media from around the world will gather at Brock University for the 10th instalment of the symposium.
    Visit registration page.
    View Sponsorship and Tradeshow opportunities. 

    Cuvée 2020 early bird tickets on sale
    Early bird tickets are on sale now for the Cuvée Grand Tasting to be held on April 25th.
    Plus the Cuvée en Route program runs the entire weekend of Cuvée April 24-26

    Niagara Icewine Festival 
    Celebrate Icewine and all things VQA at the 25th Annual Gala on Friday, January 10, 2020. Plus, choose your wine adventure with a Discovery Pass and enjoy carefully curated wine pairings at participating wineries every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from January 10-26.
    For more information visit their website.

    Categories: Dates and Deadlines, What's happening at CCOVI

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