Toronto Wine Shops?

[quijote]

I didn't have a chance to get to a winery in Ontario, but I did try a few Canadian wines, and after a bit of a struggle I managed to find a couple of decent wine shops in Toronto.

As mentioned, liquor is regulated by the government, so wine (to take home) must be purchased either at government controlled stores (LCBOs) or winery outlet stores (for Canadian wineries, almost always).

Most of the liquor stores in Toronto have a very poor selection of wines, reminsicent of the selection of wines in US supermarkets (where allowed). Lots of Canadian wines, lots of South African wines, some Californian and Australian, and a very small smattering of other nationalities.

The two exceptions (in the downtown vicinity) to the abundance of poor wine selections are at Queen's Quay (on the waterfront in central Toronto) and just south of Summerhill metro stop on Yonge Street.

The Summerhill shop, in fact, is really spectacular; it's a converted train station, and though all kind of alcoholic beverages are sold, wines take up most of the space. There is a room with standard and premium New World and European brands, and another large room with hard-to-find premium brands from all over Europe and the Middle East. (Wines from Greece, Bulgaria, Lebanon, Serbia, Israel, and other places are available.) In the premium room there is a special temp-controlled case against an entire wall with Bordeaux premier crus and other delectables. There is also a third room loaded with wine, mostly bargains and special features from all over. And last but not least, there's a tasting area connecting these different rooms.

If I had known about this place before I got to Toronto, I would have turned my hotel room into a little enoteca. But I still managed to come back to the States with some good buys!

(Take Eglinton-Finch metro line to Summerhill stop, walk a block or so west over to Yonge St., then walk a couple blocks south to the remodeled train station LCBO.)



[This message has been edited by quijote (edited 04-06-2003).]