Placed under the patronage of the OIV, this international wine competition is a member of VINOFED (the World Federation of Major International Wine and Spirits Competitions).
It is the biggest major international wine competition in North America.
A total of 446 producers from 31 countries presented almost 1820 wines for tasting by some 60 tasters from 15 countries around the world.
On this occasion, the Director General of the OIV highlighted the role of these competitions in fostering knowledge and promoting wines within an increasingly globalised market.
With consumption levels of almost 5 million hectolitres of wine per year, Canada is a significant importer (4.2 million hectolitres in 2016). It is worth noting that the wine market is controlled by public companies (monopolies) in the majority of provinces.
Canadian production is experiencing steady growth, reaching 600,000 hL in 2017.
Jean-Marie Aurand also shared in the tribute paid to Ghislain K-Laflamme, President of VINOFED and of the Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada, who passed away in 2017, highlighting his professional qualities placed at the service of the vitivinicultural sector and the traits of his strong personality, which was recognised and valued by all those who knew him.