Even in Europe, partly because the New World is challenging them, they’ ve done some significant research. Italy has gone from pretty basic winemaking to what is now very highly scientific and artistic.
GH: We sometimes think of the industries in France, Italy, and Spain as traditional, and we forget that they’ ve changed over the last 30 years, which is the age of the Canadian industry.
DZ: Yes, but this old romance is important to maintain— it’ s why people love wine so much.
GH: Moving closer to home, how do we, in the Manitoba market, where we have a buying public that’ s used to drinking wines from Australia, Chile, and California, encourage the cool-climate wines of Niagara?
Italian Minister of Agriculture Luca Zaia presents Ziraldo the Gran Premio on behalf of Inniskillin at Vinitaly 2009.
DZ: I think part of the responsibility is the winemakers’— to come and participate in your wine shows and work with you on events. I admire Banville & Jones, because it is not your average retail store. You spend a lot of time on wine education, and I think we all need to do that.
I don’ t know how long it’ s going to take us to get over the Canadian misgiving that, if it ' s from someplace else, it’ s better. I think the change is coming. The simplest way is to keep producing great quality wines that are priced competitively. I encourage your customers to come and visit the wine regions of Canada. That will go a long way, as the consumers become ambassadors.
GH: Donald, your work as an ambassador of Canadian wine is momentous. Thanks so much for your time and insight. Good luck with your newest Reisling adventure in Niagara. We eagerly anticipate the results.
Cheers. �