Certification in Ontario Wines for:

• Ontario grape and wine industry participants, especially in retail and marketing
• Those aspiring to join the Ontario grape and wine industry
• Anyone with a general interest in Ontario wine

Week 1: Course Introduction and Introduction to the World of Wine

• A foundational introduction to the Ontario wine industry and a sense of place from a global perspective

Week 2: Origins of the Ontario Wine Industry, Appellation Systems and the Vintner’s Quality Alliance of Ontario

• History of Ontario wine.  The meaning and value of the VQA.

Week 3: Viticulture, Winemaking and Wine Styles

• Foundations in grape growing and winemaking, Ontario varietals and styles.
• Ontario’s VQA Wine Appellations, DVA’s, certification process and regulatory body to ensure authentic wines of origin.

Week 4: Critical Sensory Assessment of Wine

• Ontario benchmark varietal wines.

Week 5: Understanding the relationship of food and wine Certification.

• Increased confidence in Ontario wines, introduction to food and wine. Value of buy local.

Study materials: Upon receipt of course fee students will be provided with the text, Wine Appellations of Ontario – An Introductory Course for Wine Knowledge. Fourth Edition by Dave Larocque, Wine Culture for the Wine Council of Ontario. Wine Council of Ontario, 2015.

Students are given a list of general styles which students will need to taste as part of their online activities. Cost of wine(s) is not included in course tuition.

Prerequisites

• No prerequisites required

Technology Requirements

• Laptop: Windows 10 or higher or equivalent operating system with recommended 8 GB of  RAM and at least 16 GB of free hard disk space and Wi-Fi capabilities.
• Laptop with integrated webcam and microphone recommended.
• Access to reliable high-speed broadband internet access (Cable, DSL, LTE) with a minimum bandwidth of 15 Mbps is recommended.

CCOVI, Brock University – once you have completed the course, all successful participants will receive a certificate from CCOVI, Brock University. (Pass: 50 to 69%; Pass with Merit: 70 to 89%; Pass with Distinction: 90% or better).

Ontario Wine Appellations Authority (OWAA) – once you have completed the OWAA Level 1 Ontario Wine Appellations webinar registrants may complete the online examination (if not already taken). Successful candidates will be given an E-Certificate if the registrant receives 80% or better on the multiple-choice examination.  OWAA is the authority that oversees Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) in Ontario.

Ontario Craft Wineries (OCW) – Course registrants may take the additional certification through Ontario Craft Wineries (if not already taken).  This online examination consists of 50 multiple-choice questions with one hour to complete.  A Certificate of Merit is issued if the registrant receives 86% or better and is sent directly by OCW.