The Chinese Cultural Association of New Brunswick (CCANB) hosted a dynamic "Western Wine Culture" lecture & wine tasting on January 20, 2024, featuring the esteemed 92-year-old Professor Larry Shyu, an expert in modern Chinese history.

Professor Shyu, an emeritus professor of University of New Brunswick with a Ph.D. from Columbia University, explored Western wine culture, categorizing wines into four types:

1. social drinks (before-dinner drinks),
2. dinner wines (mainly grape wines),
3. dessert wines, liqueurs, and
4. the versatile anytime beverages like beers, lagers, ales, stouts, and light and bubbly fruit wines.

Unlike Eastern traditions, Western dining doesn't pressure alcohol consumption, focusing more on toasts and expressions of respect.

In New Brunswick, liquor sales are government-controlled, with supermarkets recently permitted to sell some wines and beers. Professor Shyu shared insights on Western wine types, food pairing, wine growing geography, history of wines and brewing process, creating a lively, educational atmosphere.

The atmosphere peaked with everyone eager to try the wines, filling the room with laughter and discussions. Professor Shyu patiently addressed numerous questions, creating a lively and educational experience for all attendees.

Special thanks to Professor Shyu for his meticulous preparation and insightful lecture, the Sun Life Michael Ruan team, and the Lin and Tian couples for their generous support in providing wine accessories. Gratitude to the CCANB logistical team and everyone who attended the lecture, making it a cultural feast to remember!

CCANB成功举办“西方酒文化”讲座

2024年1月20日下午，CCANB在多元文化中心举办了一场“西方酒文化”讲座，主讲人是徐乃力 (Larry Shyu)教授。

主讲人，92岁高龄的徐乃力教授，著名的中国现代史专家，前UNB大学教授，美国哥伦比亚大学历史学博士。对于西方的酒文化，徐教授有非常深入的研究。徐教授以详尽的史实和饶有兴趣的故事为大家娓娓道来。

西方酒的种类繁多，但是基本上分为四大类：

1. 饭前酒或者叫做“社交饮料”，social drinks, or before dinner drinks；
2. 餐酒 dinner wine， 基本上是葡萄酒，也可以算上米酒；
3. 饭后酒dessert wine, liqueur；
4. 第四类是随时随地可喝的酒，即是啤酒，淡水果酒，及其他水泡酒beer, lagers, ales. stout, light and bubbly fruit wine, etc. 。

从酒桌上的文化来看，东,西方最大的区别是西方没有劝酒的习惯。在酒席上可以站起来making a toast, 向某人或某个事件表示敬意，简单说几句话， 并不会劝人或强迫人喝酒。

另外西方有些人讲究‘酒菜配’，pairing of food and drink. 其中区别很大，正式场合的筵席要每道菜换酒换杯。用中餐就几乎不可能配酒了，因为中餐在餐桌上有各种肉、菜、海鲜等等一起上，不可能配那种特别的酒。

我们住的N.B.省,酒是由政府专卖，所以酒店属于省府所属的机构。最近已允许超市卖一些葡萄酒、气酒、cider及啤酒。但是要选特别的葡萄酒或啤酒、烈酒、饭后酒等，就要到酒类专卖店才能买到。酒类专卖店的陈列琳琅满目，其实分类挺清楚，一般周围的橱柜陈列各种烈酒、饭后酒及特别的葡萄酒，也有特间专卖各种啤酒。中间的橱柜陈列葡萄酒，基本上按国家，地区来区分，并不难找到顾客想买的酒。

徐教授还详细地向大家介绍了西方酒的种类、葡萄酒的地理与历史、加拿大酒酿造的程序。徐教授个人和CCANB共同出资，准备了各种美酒，听众们在徐教授的指导下逐一品鉴。

大家跃跃欲试品酒，气氛一下子到了高潮。每个人拿起酒杯鉴别并品尝，红白葡萄酒间充满欢声笑语，大家还有好多疑问提出，徐乃力教授一一作了细致回答。

徐教授用他深厚的文化底蕴和讲课功力，妙趣横生、丝丝入扣地完成了一场演讲，给听众带来了一场文化盛宴，大家意犹未尽。在此让我们感谢徐乃力先生的精心准备和知识丰富的演讲；感谢Sun life Micheal Ruan团队和林红、田玉颖夫妇为活动提供酒器的大力支持；感谢CCANB后勤工作人员；谢谢所有前来听讲座的听众们！