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Ice Wine and Mother Nature

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Homegrown Training

Our province has a history of successfully tailoring training to the needs of a specific, economically promising sector – tourism, information technology, engineering and agriculture to name a few.

The wine industry needs workers trained in all aspects of production – from vine management to pest control and harvesting; to microclimate analysis, fermentation and bottling techniques; as well as strong business management skills.

Nova Scotia Wine Education Seminars - 2010

In the spring of 2008, the Winery Association of Nova Scotia teamed up with sommelier Amy Savoury to tour the province for the first round of wine education seminars. Today, the three-week tour shines a light on wines produced at 12 vineyards across the province.

For more information, please visit www.winesns.ca.

Training Guide to Nova Scotia Wine: Tasting, Pairing, Education and the Winemakers.

Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)

The Nova Scotia Community College system, with 13 campuses province-wide has grown and prospered by forging a strong link between its courses and industry needs. The "Grape Growing in Nova Scotia" course at Kingstec Campus is in the heart of the Annapolis Valley, one of the five regions identified as offering the best microclimates to grow grapes. Introduction to Grape-Growing is a great introductory to the most important elements of the business.

Interestingly, there are other non-credit courses catering to the General Interest Group learners, and these courses are offered at Kingstec Campus and Akerley Campus.

  • Wine Uncorked (different types of wines, wine tasting)
  • Wine and food - Perfect Pairings
  • Grape Varieties

Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), Kingstec Campus, has recently acquired the plot of land directly across from its main building. The land will be developed in the near future to support the college’s viticulture program with a new greenhouse and a training vineyard.

Kingstec Campus’ Winter 2011 Viticulture/Winery course intake will be the third run since the program commenced in Jan 2008. Apart from the evening classroom instruction over the 14 week course, the program also includes vineyard demonstrations and field trips to allow hands-on learning and practice. The support from local grape growers and wine makers has been tremendous. Together, NSCC and its industry partners are poised to provide the skilled workforce we need for the future of Nova Scotia's wine industry. - Isabel Madeira-Voss, Principal, Kingstec, NSCC

The Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers Atlantic Chapter (CAPSAC)

Listed below are the course requirements that must be complete before a CAPS Sommelier Certificate is issued

  • Sensory Evaluation/Wine Professionalism
  • Old World
  • Sommelier Management
  • New World/Beer and Spirits
  • Winemaking
  • 30 Hours of Stage Experience
  • CAPS Service Exam

For more information, please visit www.atlanticsommeliers.ca