Yes, Wine Online is great … and the only option I’ve found other than the (sometimes good, always frustrating) LCBO. The problem is you can only buy by the case. I am always happy to split cases with people if there is something interesting on offer.
There are tons of good Ontario wines (and more crap … true everywhere), you just need to know where to look and what to look for.
First off: think about our climate. What other climates like ours grow good, world famous wine? California? Wrong. Southern France? Wrong again. However, our climate is alot like Western Germany and Alsace. So, look first for the wines that do well in those regions (Gewürztraminer, Riesling , etc) and you’ll find some good stuff.
The Jackson Triggs black label Gewürztraminer is great at about $12 or $14 bucks … and cheaper than similar quality from Alsace. The Malivoire Gewürztraminer is amazing, but pricier.
The next thing to look for is small Ontario producers that put care and love into their wine. My fave is Malavoire, but there are more. These folks are pushing the edges of what our climate can do with good light reds such as Pinot Noir (expensive, but so is all good pinot noir) and Gamay.
A useful source of ideas on Ontario wine (and generally navigating the treasures of the LCBO) is Billy’s Best Bottles (http://www.billysbestbottles.com/). It’s the most useful and unconventional wine guide you’ll ever buy.
Of course, if you are looking for big, loud cabs and shirazes (which I love), don’t look to Ontario. We don’t have the heat. For that, try South Africa, which is still one of the best bargains around if you know what to look for.
PS. For folks in Toronto, I’d be happy to do a ‘let’s taste some good Ontario wine’ tasting at home or somewhere like Fat Cat Wine Bar on Roncy.
Post Comments
JohnPhilipGreen said – Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:17:07 -0000
Wine Online should develop some social features where people can make arrangement to split cases… until then, Mark, see something you want to split?