BACCHUS AT BROCK UNIVERSITY
by Professor Hrayr Berberoglu.

July 18, 2007


Since its inception three years ago, Bacchus has gained an enviable academic reputation. This year, participants from eleven countries presented highly interesting and absorbing papers based on their research.

The name Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, chosen for this unique symposium, reflects the scope of topics. L. Bramble Ph.D., a professor at the university’s School of Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture had the vision of inviting academics and practitioners to the symposium to present their research and listen to practitioners of viticulture, viniculture, culture and wine.

A conference of this magnitude, at the impeccably maintained grounds of Brock University, requires a huge amount of planning and effort to select the right topics and presenters.

The amount of correspondence, co-ordination of speakers, logistics and many more details must also be considered.

This year’s papers consisted of “Creating a successful wine industry: Role of innovation and discoveries by Isak Pretorius, of the Australian Wine Research Institute, to modernizing and “Old Wine Industry” by Antonio Rocha Graca, of Sogrape to ice wine, fermentation and authentication challenges, and everything in-between including wine tourism and sensory evaluation of wine.

After a day’s work participants were entertained in venues of interest with regional specialties.

The best papers are awarded prizes as an incentive to produce even better ones in the future.

In addition to all these, there is a trade show called Uncorked Trade Show where ancillary industries display and/or present their specialties, i.e bottles, bottle enclosures, wine service equipment, mobile bottling services, just to name a few. Papers presented involve science, business, tastings, culture and wine and food.

Several Niagara wineries staged tastings of their wine from 5.30 to 6.30 p m to round out the day’s proceedings.

Overall, Bacchus at Brock offers plenty of opportunities to discover and learn about markets, inventions, get ideas, and meet like-minded individuals.

If you have never attended Bacchus, the next will take place May 27 – 28 2008 at Brock. Book your reservation now.

Hrayr Berberoglu took early retirement after lecturing on restaurant management and conducting wine, beer and spirits seminars for over a quarter of a century.

Now he consults and writes to increase wine, beer and liquor awareness. He conducts seminars and would be pleased to consider your requests. To peruse the list of his published books and order please contact him at hirayrberberoglu_3@sympatico.ca

Hryar Berberoglu www.littlefatwino.com