CANADA POST

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - Aug. 18, 2006) - Canadian wines and cheeses continue to draw world attention. A highly specific combination of growing conditions and low temperatures has allowed us to become icewine makers to the world. Interest in artesian cheeses, such as the Quebec monastery-produced Oka and others continue to expand as both domestic and international palates become more sophisticated.

In tribute to these growth industries, Canada Post will raise a toast to these Canadian success stories with a set of four domestic rate stamps. The set will be unveiled in the heart of Ontario's wine industry, Niagara-on-the-Lake, on August 23 and will be available for sale in post offices across the country beginning that day.

Canada is considered one of the greatest cheese producing nations in the world. The industry, comprised of approximately 200 manufacturers who produce more than 300 varieties of cheese, has achieved world-class status through international awards, particularly with Canadian cheddars. In 2004, annual cheese consumption in Canada hit 11.97 kgs per person. Canadians' taste in cheese have evolved considerably, and many new varieties have been made available in the past few years to satisfy our evolving sophistication.

For close to a decade, Canadian wines have garnered awards at important international wine festivals such as Vinexpo in Bordeaux, France; Vinitaly and the International Wine Competition in London, England. According to the latest Statistics Canada data, 190 wineries produced shipments worth almost 800 million dollars and employed more than 3,000 people across Canada.

Stamp designer Derwyn Goodall's approach was to make the wine and cheese stamps as elegant and sophisticated as possible. Working with photographer Robert Wigington, the duo used industry accessories such as glasses and cheese cutters to create a rich and tasteful look (much like the subjects themselves). Goodall adds that the designs were driven by shape, giving the stamps the authentic look and feel of cheese and wine labels.

These mouth-watering stamps will be available for purchase at post offices across the country on August 23, 2006. The stamps measure 41 mm x 30 mm (octagon) and 37 mm x 39 mm (cone shape) and will be sold in booklets of 8 stamps. Lowe-Martin printed 5 million of the self-adhesive stamps on Tullis Russell Coatings paper using lithography in 9 colours. The stamps are general tagged on all sides with kiss cut perforations. The Official First Day Cover cancellation will read:
ST. CATHARINES ONTARIO.

Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the Newsroom section of Canada Post's website, and downloadable high-resolution photos of the Wine and Cheese issue is in the Newsroom's Photo Centre. Stamps and Official First Day covers will be available at participating post offices, can be ordered online by following the links at Canada Post's website www.canadapost.ca, or by mail-order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA call toll-free: 1 800 565-4362 and from other countries call: 902 863-6550.