Category: Canada

Southbrook Vineyards Announces the Release of an Exclusive Chef-Signed Wine Collection to Honor Canadian Culinary Stars Competing at the Bocuse d’Or Finale

Southbrook Vineyards, a highly acclaimed organic and biodynamic winery renowned for its innovative approach to natural, small-batch winemaking has announced the introduction of “The Southbrook CHEFS CANADA Limited Edition Set”. This collection is signed by both award-winning Canadian Chef Keith Pears, and the founder of Southbrook, Bill Redelmeier.

The Southbrook CHEFS CANADA Limited Edition Set establishes Southbrook Vineyards as the official wine partner of CHEFS CANADA and pays tribute to the Canadian culinary team participating in the Bocuse d’Or Finale, held at the Sirha in Lyon, France January 27, under the leadership of Chef Pears.

The collection includes magnum bottles of the 2020 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 Estate Merlot, and 2020 Poetica Red, presented in an elegant wooden box.. Only 50 sets are available online, HST-exempt until February 15, 2025, at a total price of $442.48. From each sale, $100 will support Team Canada at the Bocuse d’Or.

Link to purchase: Southbrook CHEFS CANADA Limited Edition Set  🏆! Let’s go CANADA🇨🇦

“Representing Team Canada at the Bocuse d’Or is an incredible opportunity to continue striving for perfection in my craft,” said Chef Pears, who hails from Vancouver but resides in Toronto, and is Canada’s Bocuse d’Or candidate. “I’m thrilled about the partnership with Southbrook Vineyards because they share a similar philosophy—approaching their work with thoughtfulness, a dedication to small-batch winemaking, and a focus on the health and vitality of their vineyards”.

Bocuse d’Or was founded in 1987 by legendary French Chef Paul Bocuse and is recognized as the world’s most competitive culinary event. It’s a prestigious platform for nations to spotlight their unique culinary heritage and terroir, while showcasing gastronomical innovation from next-generation chefs.

“We deeply admire the passion, precision, and extraordinary skill that CHEFS CANADA and Team Canada bring to their preparation for the Bocuse d’Or. It’s an honour to support Chef Keith Pears and his team on their inspiring journey toward gold,” said Redelmeier.

Wine Review: 2023 The Grange [Farmer’s Series] County Pinot Noir, and the 2023 Estate Series [Diana Block] Pinot Noir

2023 Farmer’s Series County Pinot Noir
VQA Prince Edward County

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Peppery, with full berry aromas, hints of spice and vanilla, along with an earthy undertone.
Palate: Vibrant and fresh, juicy acidity with light tannins.
Score: 87

This robust, terroir-driven County Pinot is part of The Grange’s Farmer’s Series, which celebrates the friendships with other farmers, growers, and vineyards across Ontario.

Other Details:
Alc./vol.: 12.0%
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
Harvest Date: October 2023
Aging: 10 Months in French Oak (33% new barrel)

 

2023 Estate Series Diana Block Pinot Noir
VQA Prince Edward County

Tasting Notes:

Made with estate grapes from the Diana block, this elegant Pinot Noir displays a complex nose of cherry, strawberry, savoury beet, and earthy leaves, with a light, silky palate, chalky tannin and nice length and well-balanced.
Score: 88

 Other Details:
Alc./vol.: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Estate Vineyards: Diana Block
Harvest Date: October 2023

The Estate Series wines are crafted from grapes from multiple blocks across the property. The estate vineyard spans 100+ acres of diverse, natural lands. The five vineyard blocks cover varied soils, ecology, and weather, offering unique terroir influences on the wines’ character and complexity.

For further details:  https://www.grangewinery.com

The Grange of Prince Edward Winery Launches “Massey Hall Wine” Collaboration for 130th Anniversary

The Grange of Prince Edward Winery recently announced Massey Red, a private-label wine commemorating the 130th anniversary of Massey Hall. This collaboration with Roy Thomson Hall and Allied Music Centre highlights the synergy between wine and music.

Michael Leskovec, CEO of The Grange, emphasizes the shared cultural significance: “Massey Hall has been a beacon of Canadian creativity and culture for 130 years, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to honour its legacy with this special wine. Massey Red is a toast to the past, present, and future of this incredible institution and the artists it continues to inspire.”

Massey Red is crafted from grapes grown on The Grange’s 40-acre property in Hillier, Ontario, specifically from the Northfield, Victoria, and Diana blocks. This blend of Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Cabernet Franc offers notes of mocha, ripe berry, and on the palate tart cranberry, leather, and tea leaf, delightful acidity, and fine tannins – Overall: Bright, fruit-forward and approachable!

Score:  89

This release is part of The Grange’s Estate Series, showcasing the rich terroir of its vineyards. The partnership with Allied Music Centre and Roy Thomson Hall has featured Grange wines in hospitality spaces and events, celebrating the cultural legacy of Massey Hall.

Massey Red ($27) is available at The Grange of Prince Edward Winery, online at www.grangewinery.com, and at Allied Music Centre and Roy Thomson Hall.

I just wrapped up the second round of judging for the 2024 Canadian Marketing Awards [CMA] Awards!

It’s an incredible privilege to contribute to an event that celebrates the forefront of technological innovation, AI-driven insights, strategic brilliance, creative execution, and powerful storytelling in our industry.

It’s these moments that reinforce my passion for this field—seeing how our industry continually evolves while maintaining a focus on delivering meaningful results.

As we approach the final round, the excitement is building… kudos to the agencies, marketers, creative teams, and brand strategists who brought these campaigns to life—you’re certainly pushing the boundaries!

#CanadianMarketingAwards2024 #StrategicMarketing #CreativeExecution #MarketingInnovation #BrandStrategy #MarketingIndustry #MarketingExcellence #BrandGrowth #CreativeLeadership #MarketingInfluencer #JudgingPanel #DigitalMarketing #BrandEngagement #MarketingSuccess #influencer #Canada
#Canadianmarketing

Liz Palmer Selected as “Final Round Judge” for the 2024 Canadian Marketing Association’s CMA Awards

“I’m thrilled to be selected as a multi-disciplinary “Final Round Judge” for the Canadian Marketing Association’s CMA Awards this year + excited to review the best in #CanadianMarketing!”

The 2024 Canadian Marketing Association’s CMA Awards celebrate the pinnacle of marketing excellence, innovation, and creativity in Canada. This event recognizes outstanding achievements across various sectors, highlighting the strategies, campaigns, and individuals that set new benchmarks in the marketing industry. Entrants are evaluated on their ability to drive engagement, deliver exceptional results, and demonstrate thought leadership. Winning a CMA Award not only confers industry recognition but also reinforces a brand’s reputation for cutting-edge marketing practices. This year’s awards promise to showcase groundbreaking work that has transformed the marketing landscape, reflecting the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the field.

Below is a list of the criteria, as well as the definitions for the disciplines and categories, for the CMA Awards.
A category refers to the campaign’s business sector; the categories include:Automotive, Business, Consumer Products & Services, Financial, Food & Beverage, Healthcare, Retail/Consumer Business, and Social Causes.

A discipline reflects the type of campaign, the disciplines include: Brand Building, Business/Brand Impact, Customer Experience & Shopper Marketing, Engagement, Innovative Media, and Public Relations.

The Judging Process

First Round
The First Round is judged online by a panel of judges from across Canada. These judges evaluated the entries on Strategy, Creativity and Results, all equally weighted.

Second Round
In the Second Round, the Senior Judges and Multi Discipline Judges judge the top entries in the categories and disciplines. The scores from the two rounds are combined to determine gold, silver and bronze awards.

Best of the Best + Top Cause
The top entries from the Second Round are reviewed and the Best of the Best and Top Cause are awarded, making these awards truly representative of the best in Canadian marketing.

Interested in entering? Deadline to submit: July 19th: https://thecma.awardsplatform.com/