With a spotlight on world-class Ontario VQA wines and Niagara’s top culinary talent, the 33rd edition of the Cuvée Grand Tasting delivered on its promise to be a savoury and sparkling experience.
Presented by Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) on Saturday, May 24, the fan-favourite affair drew more than 500 guests for an evening featuring selections from the province’s top winemakers combined with delicious food pairings from the region’s leading chefs.
The evening brought with it an air of patriotism, celebrating VQA winemaking excellence and its starring role in industry worldwide. It’s a climate that has long been fostered by wine aficionados and Ontario-industry insiders, but in recent months has grabbed the attention of the general public.
“The big takeaway here is although we have been celebrating VQA winemaking excellence for 33 years, it is now top-of-mind for so many people, including everyone at Cuvée,” said the event’s manager Barb Tatarnic.
“There’s this emergence of a ‘support-local’ movement that everyone is truly celebrating while recognizing the impressive talent we have right here in Ontario.”
As partygoers entered the aptly named Chardonnay Ballroom at the Holiday Inn and Suites St. Catharines Conference Centre, they were greeted by 10 food stations and over 30 wineries encouraging their palates and senses to explore.
“We had wineries that are brand new to the industry and some that have built a long tradition of winemaking,” said Tatarnic, CCOVI’s Manager of Professional Studies and Outreach.
“Our guests loved the different wines and food pairings. You could see that in their faces.”
The evening was also an opportunity for CCOVI to honour current and future members of the industry, with eight awards presented.
The Cuvée Vineyard of Excellence Award — honouring a grower who promotes excellence in their vineyard — went to Tom Wiley of Wiley Vineyards in Jordan, Ont., while the Cuvée Winemaker of Excellence Award was presented to Thomas Bachelder of Bachelder Niagara in Beamsville, Ont.
The Tony Aspler Cuvée Award of Excellence was presented to photographer Steven Elphick, who is well known for his wine images throughout Ontario.
The remaining awards — made possible thanks to the Cuvée Legacy Fund, which supports scholarships in Brock’s undergraduate Applied Grape and Wine Science programs as well as graduate degrees in oenology, viticulture, wine science, business and tourism — honoured five students.
CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis, who presented the awards, reminded the crowd that proceeds from the night’s tickets will be put to good use.
“Cuvée is a prime example of a community-university-industry partnership that benefits all involved, with funds raised at the event supporting student scholarships and grape and wine research,” she said.
Student award winners included Victoria Parsons for top marks in the Certificate in Grape and Wine Technology program; Evan Smith for top marks in second year of the Applied Grape and Wine Science (OEVI) program; Alex Klauck for top marks in third year of the OEVI program; Simon Koop for highest marks in fourth year of the OEVI program; and Master of Science student Reid Ball for scholastic achievements at the graduate level in grape and wine science.
Brock President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg joined in the celebration and praised CCOVI for its work supporting the industry and its next generation of leaders.
“Brock’s strategic plan prioritizes community partnerships and regional development, and tonight’s event is a perfect example of those ongoing efforts,” she said.
“We’re not just celebrating Ontario’s grape and wine industry; we’re investing in its future.”
Why Your Support Matters?
Proceeds support undergraduate and graduate student scholarships as well as research programs that support the grape and wine industry. Go to our IMPACT page to learn more and meet some of our Legacy Fund student recipients.
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