More than chardonnay: Véronique Rivest’s vision for Canadian wine

by Carmelo Giardina for VineRoutes

“I don’t think consumers are rejecting wine. I think they’re rejecting bullshit.”

Véronique Rivest did not ease gently into the 2026 School of Cool. Her keynote confronted the pressures facing wine and hospitality, then turned the conversation toward a more promising future built on authenticity, better storytelling and genuine human connection.

In this compelling recap, VineRoutes’ principal editor Carmelo Giardina, explores Rivest’s argument that Canadian wine no longer needs to prove its quality. The greater challenge now is to express its identity, welcome people into the conversation and tell stories that could come from nowhere else.

Read the full article here.