Articles from:February 2025

• Ontario wines to take centre stage at annual industry celebration

  Tuesday, February 11, 2025 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE – February 11, 2025 – R0022

  The Ontario grape and wine industry is gearing up for the province’s largest showcase of VQA excellence.

  Returning to Niagara for its 35th year, Cuvée is a weekend-long celebration with proceeds supporting the future of the industry through grape and wine scholarships and research initiatives at Brock University.

  Hosted by the University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), the event is centred on the Grand Tasting — the largest celebration of VQA wine of its kind — where industry professionals and wine enthusiasts will indulge in a curated selection of vintages from Ontario’s top winemakers.

  The Grand Tasting takes place Saturday, May 24 at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Centre in St. Catharines.

  “We are proud to organize a unique and highly anticipated event that showcases true Ontario quality,” says CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis. “Ontario wines are among the best in the world, and our winemakers in attendance will unveil their personal favourites for guests to enjoy.”

  Barb Tatarnic, who oversees the event, adds that while Cuvée has obvious appeal for wine lovers, it isn’t just for them.

  Food enthusiasts will also experience a unique journey, with 10 live cooking stations featuring gourmet cuisine and elegant desserts that complement the evening’s wines, she says.

  “We will have nearly 100 of the top wines from Ontario’s award-winning winemakers and some of the most delicious food pairings that our celebrated Niagara chefs can dream up. It’s a recipe for an unforgettable night,” Tatarnic says. “There is no better time than now to celebrate the Ontario wine and food scene. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, this would make the perfect gift for that special someone in your life.”

  The night also features the Après Cuvée after party with live music and additional tastings of VQA wines as well as selections from local micro-breweries and cideries.

  “Guests can dance the night away with our live band, which will be announced soon, and enjoy a selection of local craft beer, ciders, sparkling wine and Icewine,” says Tatarnic.

  While the Grand Tasting is a Cuvée highlight, those looking to expand the celebration can participate in the Cuvée En Route Passport program, which runs from Friday, May 23 to Sunday, May 25.

  With a Cuvée passport, guests can visit Niagara wineries and taste exclusive wines. The passport is included in the Grand Tasting ticket or can be purchased separately.

  A special rate of $225 per Grand Tasting ticket is available until Tuesday, Feb. 18 using the promotional price ticket option on the Cuvée website.

  Ticket options are also available for groups of six to nine people or 10 and more.

   

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  *Maryanne St. Denis, Manager, Content and Communications, Brock University, [email protected] or 905-246-0256

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  Categories: Media releases

• Ontario wines remain a world-class choice in face of U.S. tariffs: Brock experts

  Thursday, February 06, 2025 | By Brock University

  EXPERT ADVISORY – February 6, 2025 – R0021

  As Canadians embrace the “buy local” movement in response to now-paused U.S. tariffs, experts in Ontario’s grape and wine industry are reminding consumers of the top-shelf products available in their own backyards.

  The growing swell to support Canadian businesses represents an opportunity to further highlight the world-class wines produced in the province and their impact, says Debbie Inglis, Director of Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI).

  The CCOVI Researcher and Professor of Biological Sciences says Ontario wines, along with those produced in other provinces are a boon for the Canadian economy.

  A report from Wine Growers Canada found that in 2019 alone the grape and wine industry contributed $11.6 billion to the Canadian economy while also employing more than 45,000 people across the country.

  While U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian goods may lead to the removal of U.S. alcohol from local shelves, wine lovers needn’t worry about access to quality product, Inglis says.

  “Here in Niagara, wineries are producing some of the best wines in the world — Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals, just to name a few,” she says. “Everyone can find a style of wine that they love, all while supporting the critical ‘buy local’ message that will benefit Canada during this unique period in its economic history.”

  Although Trump’s tariffs were put on a 30-day pause earlier this week, a decision to move forward with their implementation in the future could mean increased costs for businesses and job losses in a variety of sectors, in addition to slower national economic growth.

  “The mere uncertainty of the trade environment caused not only by the tariffs and counter-tariffs, but also by the delayed start dates, will inevitably slow overall business activity,” says Lester Kwong, Brock Associate Professor of Economics and CCOVI Fellow.

  “Efforts to find substitutes in both the input and output markets, by wineries and grape growers, will divert resources away from activities that could otherwise be used to help their business thrive in a more stable trade environment,” Kwong says.

  Businesses, he adds, may opt for costlier short-term partnerships instead of more beneficial long-term cost-saving ones in the face of such uncertainties.

  To ready for the tariffs’ potential impact, Inglis encourages Canadians to “embrace the importance of buying local wines and increase the economic benefits that our homegrown wineries and grape growers provide to this country.”

  She also urges wine enthusiasts and those looking to work in the sector to become more knowledgeable about Ontario’s industry and its offerings.

  CCOVI — Canada’s largest grape and wine research, outreach and continuing education centre — provides a variety of learning opportunities focused on Ontario wines and winemaking.

  For example, the upcoming five-week Certification in Ontario Wines online course builds a strong foundation around the history of Ontario wine and its different appellations, tastes and aromas.

  “It’s perfect for the enthusiast hoping to take their passion to the next level, or anyone wishing to work, or currently working, in a winery or a restaurant,” Inglis says. “The course provides the knowledge and confidence to be a champion of Ontario wine.”

  Successful course participants are fully certified by three authorities: CCOVI, the Ontario Wine Appellation Authority and the Ontario Craft Wineries.

  Debbie Inglis, Director of Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, and Lester Kwong, Associate Professor of Economics and CCOVI Fellow, are available for media interviews on this topic.

  
  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  *Maryanne St. Denis, Manager, Content and Communications, Brock University, [email protected] or 905-246-0256 

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  Categories: Media releases