TASTING CLIMATE CHANGE
JANUARY 2024
The fourth edition of TASTING CLIMATE CHANGETM took place in Montreal on January 22-23, 2024. Presented in person and virtually, the international conference gathers 500 people from more than 20 countries. The program includes two days of conferences about climate change in the wine industry, four tasting sessions and many networking opportunities.
We would like to thank our valued partners, without whom this edition would have not been possible: the Société des alcools du Québec as major partner; the official partners Gérard Bertrand, Wines of Chile, the Conseil des Vins du Québec, Wine & Spirits Magazine, Advini, Bonterra, Lallemand, Vinum, Boisset et California Wines; and the other partners Wine Country Ontario, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Benjamin Bridge, Vignerons de Buzet, Gabriel Meffre, Rhône Valley, Oenopole, Sumarroca, New Zealand Wine, New York Wines, Sélections Oeno, Entrecanales, RéZin, Jackson Family Wines, Vins du Centre-Loire, LBV, Maitre de Chai, Wines of British Columbia, Cryo, Emiliana, Koyle, Santa Rita, VSPT, Vancouver International Wine Festival, ABP, Elle Traiteur, Winifred, MK2, Desjardins gestion de patrimoine Leblanc Martineau St-Hilaire, ÔM Films, and Marché Bonsecours Events.
PROGRAMMING
For a Sustainable & Solidary Degrowth
CONFERENCE
MONDAY, JANUARY 22 (AM)
Yves-Marie Abraham PhD, HEC Montreal
Promises of sustainable development have not always been kept: the ecology catastrophe keeps on getting worse and the social-economic inequality continues to grow. What to do? What if the solution could start by a degrowth of our economy? What does this consist of? Which strategies can we take and how to do we put them in place? Those are the questions we will try to answer during this conference. A discussion will follow.
Soil Health: Critical to Adapt to Climate Change
CONFERENCE
MONDAY, JANUARY 22 (AM)
Marc-André Selosse PhD, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle of Paris
In the context of climate change, the health of the soil is essential to help the vine adapt. The health of the soil starts with microbial alliances. World renowned Marc-André Selosse PhD explains us why.
Varietal Innovation to Preserve Local Wine Identity in a Changing Climate
CONFERENCE
MONDAY, JANUARY 22 (AM)
Etienne Neethling PhD, École Supérieure des Agricultures of Angers
This presentation will focus on sustaining local wine identity in an evolving global climate, where varietal innovation is a critical question in building the resilience of the wine sector.
Fighting Fungal Diseases
PANEL DISCUSSION
MONDAY, JANUARY 22 (PM)
Olivier Sebe, La Clausade
Matthieu Beauchemin, Domaine du Nival
Fabrizio Battista PhD, Lallemand Oenology
Moderated by Michelle Bouffard DipWSET
With climate change, fungal diseases are becoming a big problem for many wine regions. We explore what are the most sustainable methods to face this challenge. Is organic viticulture always the best option?
Certifications: A Must to Communicate Sustainability to Consumers?
PANEL DISCUSSION
MONDAY, JANUARY 22 (PM)
Gilian Handelman, Jackson Family Wines
Anne Bousquet, Domaine Bousquet
Barry Dick MW, Waitrose Trading
Cristobal Undurraga, Koyle
Moderated by Kate Venugopal, California Wines
Many studies show that consumers would be willing to spend more per bottle of wine if they knew the wine was made with sustainable practices. However, they often don’t know which wines on the shelfs have that ethos. Are certifications a must to help them?
Packaging and its Content: the Dilemmas
PANEL DISCUSSION
MONDAY, JANUARY 22 (PM)
Jason Haas, Tablas Creek
Christian M. Pilon, SAQ
David Pendon, Oenopole
Moderated by Michelle Bouffard DipWSET
Packaging is responsible for up to 40% of the carbon footprint of a bottle of wine. How can we really measure the environmental impact of packaging? And which criteria can we use to identify wines produced sustainably so that we can communicate effectively to consumers?
Our journey to carbon neutrality: The New Zealand wine perspective
CONFERENCE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23 (AM)
Meagan Littlejohn, Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand
For the New Zealand wine industry, being carbon conscious isn’t just a goal, it’s a way of life. New Zealand has set a goal to work collectively in order to become a carbon neutral industry by 2050. This presentation will cover current and future initiatives to achieve this.
Adopting Regenerative Agriculture
PANEL DISCUSSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23 (AM)
Giacomo Piubello, Château Patache d’Aux
Joseph Brinkley, Bonterra Organic Estates
Michel Gassier, Famille Gassier
Moderated by John Szabo MS
They are many philosophies when it comes to vineyard practices. But what are, objectively, the most sustainable methods? According to INRAE, regenerative agriculture has the potential to sequestrate 41% of the C02 emissions in France alone. Our panellists discuss why adopting regenerative farming is key for a greener future.
Agroforestery: What’s All the Fuss About?
PANEL DISCUSSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23 (AM)
Pierre Philippe, Vignerons de Buzet
Noelia Orts, Emiliana
Moderated by Michelle Bouffard DipWSET
Vines and trees have cohabited for a long time. But for many practical reasons, vineyards have become a monoculture overtime. With climate change, agroforestry is trendy again and becoming a tool that can help wine producers adapt. We explore which role trees can play.
Sparkling Wine & Climate Change
PANEL DISCUSSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23 (AM)
Jean-Benoit Deslauriers, Benjamin Bridge
Marc Picόn Malivern, Sumarroca
Pierre Naviaux, Comité Champagne
Marc Théberge, Domaine Bergeville
Moderated by Michelle Bouffard DipWSET
The rise in temperature is evidently having an impact on the production of sparkling wine. In this panel, we talk with experts from different wine regions to explore the methods they can use to adapt.
Bulk & On-Site Bottling
PANEL DISCUSSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23 (PM)
Ray O'Connor MW, International Wine Consultant
Marie-Hélène Lagacé, SAQ
Federico Cerelli, Poggio di Guardia
Dean Stoyka, Stratus Vineyards
Moderated by Michelle Bouffard DipWSET
Bulk shipping is one of the most eco-friendly options to ship wine. However, many people have pre-conceived ideas about the quality of the wine. In this panel, we talk about why more wine should be shipped this way. Bulk shipping and quality wine can go together!
Appellations & Climate Change
PANEL DISCUSSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23 (PM)
Guillaume Barraud, Gérard Bertrand Group
David Paterson, Tantalus Vineyards
Marc Picόn Malivern, Sumarroca
Moderated by Michelle Bouffard DipWSET
Can we preserve the notion of terroir within current appellations as we know them today? Should we consider climate change when forming new geographical indications and revise guidelines in existing ones?
Working Collectively
PANEL DISCUSSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23 (PM)
Pierre Naviaux, Comité Champagne
Tom Owtram, Sustainable Wine Roundtable
François Dal, Vins du Centre-Loire
Moderated by Ray O’Connor MW
Building a sustainable future requires to work collectively, even with your competitors. We look at how individuals and wine regions are coming together to adapt and mitigate climate change.