Bottling Innovation:
Increasing the Profile and
Profitability of Viticulture & Oenology in Canada
Donald Ziraldo
Thursday, May 24 2007
Icewine
Brock University
CCOVI Research Labs


•
Brock University in Niagara
Cool Climate Oenology/Viticulture
Institute opened July 11,1999
Degree Program
 Post Graduate research
 “Stage” (co-op program)
 Research scientists






Industry-Led Applied Research
Tourism & Hospitality research
Production Winery for teaching and research
Wine Education Centre:
Vineyards & Viticulture Research
Greenhouse & Photonics Research

Organized in 2000

Industry, academics and scientists

Coordinates all grape and wine research

“Grape and Wine Research Foundation”
established in 2007 for funding

Secretariat formed 2007
Officially announced Ottawa May 10
Currently BC and Ontario

Focus is on national priorities:


 Genetic research
 Enology
 Icewine fermentation/yeast
(Vineland Research Station celebrated 100th anniversary)
The Niagara Cool Climate & Greenbelt
Research & Innovation Centre
Chair: Donald Ziraldo

A pest free (disease/insects) tender fruit, grape,
floriculture industry.

Cold hardiness plants (outdoors & under glass).

A model for agri-food research & innovation centres

A year-round supply of local produce

Greenbelt think tank & socio-economic research team

Enhancements in Culinary Tourism

Bioactive compounds and neutraceuticals for health
Niagara College
(Wine/Culinary Tourism,
Floriculture)
Impact on Research and Public Policy
Brock University
CCOVI
Plant Genomics
VINELAND
Tender Fruit/Grapes
Floriculture
Nursery/Landscape
Greenbelt
Culinary Tourism
Ag
Canada
Ontario Ag &
Food
BioControl
Impact on Ontario Economy
McMaster University
(Biosciences)
University of Guelph
(Food Sciences
Research)
Niagara College
(Wine/Culinary Tourism,
Floriculture)
Impact on Research and Public Policy
Brock University
CCOVI
Plant Genomics
VINELAND
Tender Fruit/Grapes
Floriculture
Nursery/Landscape
Greenbelt
Culinary Tourism
Ag
Canada
Ontario Ag &
Food
BioControl
Impact on Ontario Economy
McMaster University
(Biosciences)
University of Guelph
(Food Sciences
Research)

Can drinking wine really be good for you?

French Paradox:
on CBS 60 minutes
Three potential mechanisms:
Antioxidants, Blood lipid fractions, Platelets

Discovery of resveratrol



Research discovered that Resveratrol
stimulates activity of sirtuin enzyme
Sirtuin extends cell life span in yeast by
70%
In humans, Sirtuin controls the aging
and life span of a cell, promote cell
survival, and are involved in DNA repair
Risk of Dying (Mortality)
0
4
Number of Drinks Per Day








Anti-cholesterol
Anti-viral
Anti-heart disease
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-dementia
Anti-cancer
Blood pressure
Blood sugar normalizing agent

May 4,07,Journal of Biological
Chemistry
 Resveratrol found to kill human leukemia and
lymphoma cells cultured in a lab
 The compound, a type of anthocyanidin left
healthy blood cells alone
Or…
Climate Affect of +2°C Over 50 Years
Cool
Bordeaux France
More consistent
ripening of Cabernet
Sauvignon, Cabernet
Franc and Merlot in
2005.
13 – 16°C
Intermediate
Warm
Hot
16 – 17°C
17 – 19°C
19 – 24°C
Bordeaux
Pinot Grigio
Riesling
Pinot Noir
Chardonay
Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Franc
1955 - 1980
1980 - 2005
2005 - 2030
Merlot
Syrah
Table Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon
Sangiovese
Zinfandel
Raisins
Climate Affect of +2°C Over 50 Years
Cool
Napa Valley
California
(partial desert conditions)
Ultra-ripe fruit,
dealcoholization
common.
13 – 16°C
Intermediate
Warm
Hot
16 – 17°C
17 – 19°C
19 – 24°C
Pinot Grigio
Napa
Riesling
Pinot Noir
Chardonay
Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Franc
1955 - 1980
1980 - 2005
2005 - 2030
Merlot
Syrah
Table Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon
Sangiovese
Zinfandel
Raisins
Climate Affect of +2°C Over 50 Years
Cool
Predicted Changes
to 2040 – 2060
for
The Niagara Region
(based on 30 years of
data from Vineland)
13 – 16°C
Intermediate
Warm
Hot
16 – 17°C
17 – 19°C
19 – 24°C
Pinot Grigio
Riesling
2.5°C
Pinot Noir
Chardonay
Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Syrah
Niagara
Table Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon
Sangiovese
Zinfandel
Raisins
Partners and Collaborators
Remote Sensing and Weather
Data Integrated On-line
System for Vineyard
Management


Monitoring the
vineyard shows
winter injury.
Research uses
various digital
imaging
techniques to
analyze vineyard
data.
Partners and Collaborators
“Monitoring Winter Injury in
the Vineyard
and the use of wind
machines”





Cold-hardiness of
grapes.
6 European wine grape
(Vitis vinifera L.)
cultivars.
2 locations in Niagara.
Low-temperature
exotherm (LTE) analysis.
Ambient Air
Temperature.
8°C
Ice
Wine
Winter Injury
14°C
“People these days want fresh local
produce, the provenance of food is
becoming an ever more important
aspect of the food we eat.”
Chef Jamie Kennedy

Organic/Biodynamic

Respect for the land

Mimic nature

Environmental stewardship(Greenbelt)

Trickle down effect; reduce fuel miles

Slow Food

Sustainability of farmers

Culinary tourism
Video File to be
Installed
2000 km
100 km