Roisin Furlong - June 3/08

Roisin is a Sales Representative for Halpern Enterprises, importers of fine wine and spirits.  Roisin's sales region covers the Golden Horseshoe area of Lake Ontario.  Roisin grew up in Hamilton and attended Westdale High School and McMaster University's Faculty of Health Science.  When working part-time in catering while attending graduate studies in London, England, Roisin became interested in the "art and science" of fine wines, and thus began her career in the wine industry.    Halpern Enterprises is one of Canada's leading fine wine brokers, representing some 126 elite wine producers.  As a sales representative Roisin organizers dinners featuring wine pairings and dishes prepared by internationally-known chefs at Canada's premiere restaurants.  She also introduces Halpern represented wines to Ontario restaurants and the LCBO, and is instrumental in organizing The Hamilton Spectator's popular cooking with wine classes.

Roisin discussed some of the health benefits associated with responsible wine consumption and explained how the environment-music, locale, and ambience -can enhance the enjoyment of wine.  She also touched on the importance of good marketing techniques, using as an example the Australian success in penetrating the North American market.  By slightly sweetening their North American offerings and jazzing up the labels, the Australians were able to out-compete Old World (French, German, and Italian) winemakers in penetration of the Canadian and U.S. markets.  For further information about fine wines and Halpern Enterprises, contact roisin@halpernwine.com , or visit the website at www.halpernwine.com