Dr. Debra Inglis: Harvesting Innovation: Conquering challenges facing the Canadian grape and wine industry | Favoriser l’innovation : relever les défis de l’industrie viticole du Canada

Debra Inglis, Brock University

Thursday October 24, 2013

With an annual economic impact reaching almost $7 billion, Canada’s grape and wine industry has grown phenomenally to involve more than 31,000 Canadians in a wide range of jobs from agriculture, restaurants and retail, to tourism and beyond. Nevertheless, Canadian wines account for only 30 percent of national wine sales, and the global wine market is highly competitive. Consumers are driving demand for higher quality grapes and premium products, and science technology is playing a growing role in meeting that demand. Debra Inglis is at the
centre of Canadian research to help the industry take advantage of a changing climate and counter the challenges of erratic weather, pests, disease and production. New findings in the vineyard and lab are creating innovative, game-changing opportunities that will strengthen the industry and our national economy. Dr. Debra Inglis is the Director of Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute and a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. Debbie is an award-winning leader of multi-partner and multi-institutional research initiatives funded through the industry, the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada to address industry priorities and identify proactive control strategies.