TORONTO, April 17, 2020 /CNW/ - The worldwide COVID-19
pandemic has created one of the most difficult times in recent
global and Canadian history.
Across the country, people are being asked to self-isolate and
remain in their homes in an effort to stem the spread of the highly
infectious virus; this includes the shuttering of many businesses
and events, which has the added impact of putting people out of
work — including some 800,000 hospitality and foodservice workers
from across Canada.
To help Canadians get through this period, Corby Spirit and Wine
has already undertaken several initiatives that support key groups
and protect those who are on the front lines trying to control the
spread. Among Corby's efforts:
- Hiram Walker & Sons
produces hand sanitizer — The historic distillery in
Windsor, Ont., has been converted
to begin producing hand sanitizer, with a commitment to contribute
up to 20,000 litres per week to help people keep their hands clean
and free of germs. Hiram Walker and
Corby have partnered with the Ontario government and the City of Windsor to help get sanitizer where
it's needed most. The first batch was delivered two weeks ago to
the Village of Lake Aspen Nursing Home in Windsor, and an additional 1000 liters were
delivered to St. Joseph's Hospital
and St. Michael's Hospital in
Toronto. Hiram Walker will also be supplying much needed
alcohol to large manufacturers for their production of hand
sanitizer.
- Offering WSET Training to 1,500 bartenders — Corby
is partnering with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) to
sponsor a free Level 1 Award in Spirits course for 1,500 bartenders
across the country to take while their bars are closed down. The
course will be offered on four start dates — May 4th, 11th,
18th and 25th; those participating can pick
the date that works best for them. Each student accepted onto the
course will be expected to attend a final exam when conditions
allow. Successful students will receive a certificate and WSET
lapel pin badge, both of which are widely recognized across the
industry. This program shows the commitment of the WSET to support
the hospitality industry during these challenging
times. "Our partnership with Corby Spirit and Wine will
help inspire and empower hospitality professionals through
education and a qualification that will help them in their careers
once they are able to return to work" said Dave Rudman, Executive Director at WSET
Americas. For more information or to sign up, please visit
www.corbybeat.ca/wset
- The Corby Brand Engagement and Advocacy Team (BEAT) will
also be available via their own social channels for the duration of
the course as additional support.
- Foreign Affair Winery — The Niagara winery is closed to
the public, but it joined with other local wineries to provide
2,000 bottles and screwcaps to assist in the distribution of
locally-produced disinfectant.
- Absolut Vodka supports LGBTQ2S artists — A $20,000 donation has been made to the Glad Day
Lit Emergency Fund for LGBTQ2S artists and performers, and
$25,000 has been donated to the
Brooke Lynn Hytes Initiative to support drag performers who have
found themselves out of work because of the outbreak.
- J.P. Wiser's launches #CheersAcrossCanada: The J.P.
Wiser's Canadian whisky team wishes to reinforce the importance of
friendships and connections during this difficult time. Launched in
partnership with The GenWell Project, the #CheersAcrossCanada is a
virtual "Cheers" to be passed on to those we can't wait to connect
with. Master Blender Dr. Don
Livermore started the 'Cheers' online asking all of us to
continue the #CheersAcrossCanada. Hold it high and join the
movement on Instagram tagging @jpwisers
About Corby Spirit and Wine
Corby Spirit and Wine Limited is a leading Canadian manufacturer,
marketer and distributor of spirits and wines. Corby's portfolio of
owned-brands includes some of the most renowned brands in
Canada, including J.P. Wiser's®,
Lot 40®, and Pike Creek® Canadian whiskies, Lamb's® rum, Polar Ice®
vodka, McGuinness® liqueurs, Ungava® gin, Cabot Trail® maple-based
liqueurs and Chic Choc® Spiced rum, and Foreign Affair® wines.
Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard S.A., a global leader in
the spirits and wine industry, Corby also represents leading
international brands such as ABSOLUT® vodka, Chivas Regal®, The
Glenlivet® and Ballantine's® Scotch whiskies, Jameson® Irish
whiskey, Beefeater® gin, Malibu® rum, Kahlúa® liqueur, Mumm®
champagne, and Jacob's Creek®, Wyndham Estate®, Stoneleigh®, Campo
Viejo®, and Kenwood® wines. Corby is a publicly traded company
based in Toronto, Ontario, and
listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbols
CSW.A and CSW.B. For further information, please visit our website
or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter.
About the Wine & Spirit Education Trust
- Set up in 1969, WSET is the largest global provider of wine,
spirits and sake qualifications.
- WSET offers qualifications across four levels, from one-day
beginner courses through to an expert level diploma. Courses are
available in more than 15 languages and over 70 countries and are
open both to industry professionals and interested
enthusiasts.
- WSET is recognised as an awarding organisation by Ofqual, the
English regulator of qualifications and examinations. All WSET
qualifications have a strong reputation worldwide as the industry
standard for knowledge.
- In the last academic year (2018/19) over 100,000 candidates sat
for a WSET qualification and, since 1969, WSET has awarded nearly
one million individuals a WSET qualification.
- For more information about WSET, please visit
www.WSETglobal.com.
SOURCE Corby Spirit and Wine Communications