Canadian wineries return to the UK for trade and press tasting

Building on the success of the Canada House tasting two years ago, 34 producers from five regions – British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec – will descend on London to present over 150 wines. This is the first time the UK has seen all five regions in one place at the same time and is the largest pan-Canadian delegation at any international event to date. The tasting is being held on Thursday, 14th May at Canada House and in addition to wine, will also feature still and ice cider.

As well as the main tasting, there will be a separate open pour white wine focus table, featuring Chardonnay from British Columbia, Ontario Riesling and Tidal Bay blends from Nova Scotia.

A red wine masterclass will take place from 10.30am to 12.30pm, focusing on the key varieties and signature styles from British Columbia and Ontario. The tasting will feature Canadian Master Sommelier John Szabo, UK wine writer Jamie Goode and winemakers from British Columbia and Ontario.

Support has been provided by the British Columbia Wine Institute, Taste of Nova Scotia, Terroir BC, Wine Country Ontario and Wines of Nova Scotia, along with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada’s AgriMarketing program through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial initiative.

Gordon Campbell, High Commissioner of Canada to the UK, commented, “The UK offers great potential for Canadian wineries, and so we are pleased to support them with full confidence that our cool climate wines, fruit wines and ciders have a place in this competitive arena .”

Wine writer, Jamie Goode, who has visited Canada three times since 2013 says, “I am so impressed with the wines I have found. It’s a relatively young, dynamic and diverse wine scene and, if you are curious about wine, you owe it to yourself to take this chance to check it out.”

The main tasting is open to all press and trade. Places at the masterclass are limited. Registration is through www.canadatasting.co.uk.

Producer list:

BRITISH COLUMBIA

NEW BRUNSWICK

NOVA SCOTIA

ONTARIO

QUEBEC

Press contact:

sue.harris@westburycom.co.uk
kate.beveridge@westburycom.co.uk
tel: 0208 682 9020

Notes to Editors:

Details for #CanadaCalling are as follows:

Date:

Thursday 14th May 2015

Location:

Canada House, Trafalgar Square, London

Times:

Main trade and press tasting: 11am to 5pm in the Borden and Mackenzie King rooms
Red wine master class (by invitation): 10.30 to 12:30pm in the Macdonald Room

Tasting focuses:

Press interview opportunities:

For interview opportunities with either producers or representatives from attending Canadian wine regional boards, please contact Kate Beveridge at Westbury Communications (kate.beveridge@westburycom.co.uk | 020 8682 9020) or Emma Finn, High Commission of Canada in the UK (emma.finn@international.gc.ca |020 7004 6014)

Additional contact for information in Canada:

Janet Dorozynski
Global Practice Lead, Canadian Wine, Beer and Spirits
Trade Sectors Bureau (BBI)
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
T: 343-203-3736
janet.dorozynski@international.gc.ca