News
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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
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
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)
Categories: What's happening at CCOVI -
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.”
Categories: What's happening at CCOVI -
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
Categories: What's happening at CCOVI -
CCOVI in the news 2023
April 16, 2024 – The Brock News – New CCOVI Advisory Council Chair brings wealth of industry experience
April 12, 2024 – The Brock News – Minister’s visit highlights Brock’s commitment to sustainable agriculture
April 9, 2024 – The Brock News – Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson tours CCOVI
April 3, 2024 – The Brock News – Brock celebrates wine industry’s best at Cuvée’s big return
April 3, 2024 – Wine Behind the Scenes – From Wine Server to PhD: Massive Leaps in Wine with Jennifer Kelly (podcast)
March 25, 2024 – The Brock News – Tickets selling fast for Ontario’s biggest VQA celebration
March 19, 2024 – Newstalk 610 CKTB – iHeartRadio Podcast “$3.5M grant to help Brock research farm.
March 19, 2024 – The Standard – Brock University’s research farm gets funding to grow.
March 18, 2024 – NewAG International – Canada University Granted $3.5-Million For Grape/Wine Agriculture Research
March 16, 2024 – Thorold Today – $2.5M grant to help Brock Research farm grow future of sustainable agriculture
March 16, 2024 – NiagaraThisWeek – Brock University’s research farm gets funding to grow.
March 15, 2024 – The Brock News – Brock research farm to grow future of sustainable agriculture in Canada with $3.5M CFI grant
March 14, 2024 – The Standard – ‘The consumer just wants a great bottle of wine’: Brock University researchers tackling climate change impact on quality
March 11, 2024 – The Brock News – CCOVI awarded $2.4M for grapes, wine research under Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership
February 26, 2024 – Wine Business Monthly – The Judgement of Bordeaux and the Sleeping Giant North of the U.S. – The Niagara Wine Region
February 22, 2024 – CCOVI’s research – and industry impact – highlighted at Ontario convention
February 5, 2024 – The Brock News – Toast of the town: Cuvée returns to raise a glass to excellence in Ontario wine
February 2, 2024 – The Source, Your TV – Dr. Jennifer Kelly and the CCOVI Lecture Series 2024 (alt: YouTube)
January 25, 2024 – The Brock News – A brand new fizz: CCOVI club bubbles with ideas, research
January 17, 2024 – The Brock News – CCOVI Lecture Series kicks off
January 8, 2024 – Industry leaders to share grape and wine expertise through CCOVI Lecture series
January 4, 2024 – Brock study explores tool to protect Niagara grape growers against weather-related losses
December 20, 2024 – CHCH – Ontario shoppers influenced by signatures on wine bottles: Brock
December 18, 2023 – The Brock News – Signatures on wine bottles shown to influence Ontario shoppers: Brock research
December 4, 2023 – The Brock News – Brock Research highlights market growth opportunities for sustainable wine
October 3, 2023 – The Brock News – OEVI grad celebrates first LCBO release
November 16, 2023 – The Brock News – Niagara Falls MP tours CCOVI
August 16, 2023 – The Brock News – Brock knowledge mobilization research aims to help Niagara grape growers
July 27, 2023 – The Brock News – School of Cool Wine celebration returns
May 23, 2023 – The Brock News – Barb Tatarnic lauded for continuing education leadership
May 11, 2023 – The Brock News – Great Chardo Swap boosts Brock Scholarship
May 1, 2023 – The Brock News – New CCOVI appointments aim to address industry needs
April 19, 2023 – Quench Magazine – Grape Profile: Gamay in Ontario
April 19, 2023 – The Niagara-on-the-Lake Local – Pillitteri Estates Winery welcomes visitors
April 18, 2023 – Brock students collaborate to create wines at CCOVI
April 11, 2023 – Hailstorm leads to hard cider success with help of Brock’s CCOVI
March 31, 2023 – The Hub – Malcolm Jolley: ‘Drugs for plants’: The cutting-edge science to save Canadian wine from climate change
March 30, 2023 – The Grower – CCOVI hires new scientists in entomology and oenology
March 28, 2023 – Newstalk 610 CKTB – Niagara in the morning with Tim Denis ft. Debbie Inglis
March 27, 2023 – The Brock News – Council of Ontario Universities President tours CCOVI
March 13, 2023 – Newstalk 610 CKTB – The Drive with Karl Dockstader ft. Jim Willwerth
March 11, 2023 – The Niagara-on-the-Lake Local – Unpredictability of weather still affects wine production
March 10, 2023 – Thorold Today – Brock researchers help winemakers navigate climate change
March 10, 2023 – The Grower – Brock expert helps wine producers navigate climate extremes
March 7, 2023 – 900 CHML – Good Morning Hamilton with Rick Zamperin ft. Debbie Inglis on impact of climate change on grape growers and winemakers
February 23, 2023 – The Brock News – Deputy Minister talks emergency preparedness with staff, students
February 22, 2023 – CBC’s Still Standing – Okanagan Falls, BC
February 16, 2023 – Newstalk 610 CKTB – The Drive with Walter Sendzik ft. Dr. Jim Willwerth, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
February 8, 2023 – CHCH – Brock University works with Ontario wineries in support of industry research
February 7, 2023 – The Brock News – CCOVI initiative to support next generation of Brock winemakers
February 6, 2023 – The Brock News – CCOVI gets funky at CiderCon
February 3, 2023 – CHCH – Niagara grape growers concerned about cold temperatures
February 3, 2023 – Orchard & Vine – CCOVI Lecture Series on Wine Returns in Person and Online
February 1, 2023 – WineAlign – The Great Chardo Swap
January 19, 2023 – India Education Diary – Brock University: CCOVI Provides Foundation For Winemaker’s Journey
January 17, 2023 – The Brock News – CCOVI provides foundation for winemaker’s journey
January 9, 2023 – The Brock News – CCOVI Lecture Series returns in person for 2023
January 1, 2023 – The Grower – VineAlert licensed to two provincial industry associations
January 1, 2023 – The Grower – From berry to bottle, winemakers review the 2022 seasonCategories: In the news