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Our Most Frequently Asked Questions about Imported Wine in Ontario
1. Are these wines available at the LCBO?
Generally speaking, artisanal wines aren’t easily found at the LCBO. Liquor stores stock the most popular commercial brands that appeal to the greatest number of people. Wine importers can select wines from wineries that produce small batch, craft wines that reflect the land they come from and the particular conditions of each growing season. Ontario Wine Agents import wines that are unique and exclusive, often made in small batches. 2. Can I get wine delivered to my house?
At 30.50 Imports, we deliver throughout the GTA and the province of Ontario using dedicated wine couriers. We can deliver to your home or office. You must be at least 19 years old or older to order and to receive an order. Delivery generally takes two to three days.
3. Do I get a discount if I order a case of wine?
Currently, we do not offer case discounts on wine. We can help you find an artisanal wine within your budget. Tell us what type of wines you enjoy drinking. Our sommelier can help you find appropriate wines for your collection or event.
4. Can I buy single bottles of wine?
Our wines are only available by the case. We do curate a few mixed cases to let our customers try two to three different types of wines in one case. We also have our wine club, in which you can enjoy three special wines every two months. Sommelier Eric Gennaro selects the wine. You choose a 6- or 12-bottle case. Included are winery profiles, technical sheets, and tasting notes, which let you experience wine at your leisure.
5. Can I buy a few bottles of wine to try first?
We only sell wine by the case. A case of wine may feel like a big commitment, but there are a lot of benefits to buying wine by the case. You’ll always have wine on hand for a dinner party or to gift and you’ll save yourself many trips to the liquor store. With some wines, you may want to experience how they age and having some extra bottles will allow you to do that. You can commemorate a special occasion and celebrate it every year with the same wine.
6. Do I have to buy all the same wine, or can I mix a case?
Case wines cannot generally be mixed, but we do offer mixed cases of certain wines. Our sommelier curates two to three wines that have some similarities to let you try out wines together and learn more about the differences. For example, our popular Organic Trio includes wine from Spain, France, and Italy.
7. How do you choose the wines you import?
Our wine agents research and travel the world to find wineries that have the territory, history and heritage to produce beautiful bottles of wine. We develop relationships with these producers to have a good understanding of the wines and what makes them special. We taste the different wines and vintages, so we can describe them to our customers and help you choose the wine that meets your expectations.
8. What is the best value wine?
One can assess value at every price point. Value wines are wines that impress you and fit your budget. Knowing the reputation of the wine producer is the most reliable tool to gauge value and the region where the wine is produced should provide an indication of style. The combined understanding of the regional style and reputation of the producer provides a good basis for assessing the value of a wine at any price point. Our sommeliers can help you find wines in your budget that are unique and exciting.
9. How much do I have to spend to get a good bottle of wine?
Wine prices vary based on many factors. We have bottles of wine for less than $20/bottle that are absolutely delicious. Wine is worth what the consumer is willing to pay. Some wines that cost more are made in very limited quantities or come from areas where the cost of land is very expensive. If you’re interested in a wines from a specific region or grape variety, tell your wine agent and ask for help choosing an affordable, yet unique and tasty wine.
10. How can I find an imported wine not listed at the LCBO?
We have an extensive list of imported wines available to purchase. If you are looking for a specific wine, the more information you have, the more likely a wine agent can find the producer or wine you want. If you are looking for specialty wines of a certain type, our sommelier can help you curate a list of wines that fit your taste and budget.
11. Can you (agent) source any imported wine? Who else imports this wine?
We can source just about any imported wine, but obtaining the wine you want depends on who the registered import agent is of that brand. Our agents visit the wineries we represent to find the hidden gems that will add interest and value to your table. Most wineries have exclusive agreements with wine agents, so we may not know if we can obtain it until we search for it.
12. How come you don’t keep wine in stock at your office/place of business?
In Ontario, liquor regulations state that wine must be stored at the LCBO’s bonded warehouse until a customer orders and pays for it at which time the agent can pick it up and deliver it to the client.
13. Where do you deliver your wine? Can you deliver wine outside of Ontario?
We deliver to homes and offices in Ontario. We are only licensed to operate in Ontario, so we can’t deliver to other provinces. The laws that govern the interprovincial shipping of liquor have been set for years, however, industry continues to lobby government to loosen restrictions. We are aware of which other provinces our wines are available so we may be able to help you find the wine you’re looking for if you live outside Ontario.
14. Can you get other wines that your producer makes that you don’t have in stock?
Yes, we often receive requests to obtain wines we don’t normally carry in stock from our producers. Most often we obtain unique or rare wines by private ordering when stock is available keep in mind a lead time of 8 to 10 weeks is required. We work hard to get the wines you want to drink.
15. I tried this wine at a restaurant, but the LCBO doesn’t carry it; can you get it for me?
We can certainly try to get it for you. Keep in mind that you will need to purchase a case of it. Most cases are 12 bottles, but some rare wines come in a case of 6. You’ll need to know the name of the wine and the producer to let us find the wine and source it accurately.
16. I had this wine when I was in Italy, can you get it for me?
We have a great selection of imported Italian wines from regions across the country. We would certainly make the effort to make it happen for you, because we understand how important it is to have those wines that bring back memories. If we can’t import the exact wine you are looking for we should likely be able to find something very similar from the same region.
17. How do I buy imported wine in Ontario?
To buy imported wine in Ontario, you must shop with a wine agent or importer. There is a huge demand for imported wines in Canada because of our diversity. The sale of alcohol in Ontario is highly regulated so outside of government liquor stores your best bet is to contact an agent that imports the types of wines you are looking for.
18. What are the best/top imported wines?
Quantifying the best imported wines isn’t as easy as creating a list. There are hundreds of small wineries that develop award-winning wines that can be imported exclusively for restaurants, wine bars and private consumers. The best wines for your collection are the ones that appeal to your tastes and experiences. They’re the ones you discover while you’re traveling and the ones that have history, heritage, and meaning to you.
19. Who are the best/top/leading wine importers in Toronto/Ontario?
Canadians love their wine! Look for a wine importer that shares your passion. Although there are many wine importers in the Ontario area, 30.50 Imports brings home fine wines from around the globe. We partner with wineries owned and operated by people who love their land and create fine wines from the fruit they produce. For us, it’s about sharing our love of wine with people who enjoy wine.
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