How can I find Private Wine Importers in Ontario that sell Wines not at the LCBO?
A frequent question that Wine Importers are asked is, “Can we buy these wines at the LCBO?” Privately imported wines, often referred to as ‘Consignment Wines’ in Ontario, are imported and coordinated for direct sale to restaurants, hotels and private buyers by the import agency. These are the value wines you enjoy by-the-glass in restaurants and are also the unique ‘hidden gems’ that diners rave about.
Here are the three main reasons you find privately imported wine in restaurants and not in LCBO stores.Restaurants Offer Exclusivity with Select Wines from Private Wine Importers
Restaurants build their wine lists with the wines customers will not normally find in liquor stores to help enhance the customer experience. Indeed, there is a case to be made for familiar comfort wine brands. However, people often frequent restaurants to eat food they do not normally cook at home, or to experience a chef’s creativity. Hence, it bodes well for the restaurateur to compile a wine selection of less familiar bottlings that stimulate both curiosity and adventure. When a diner discovers a new favourite wine in a restaurant it can stimulate a word-of-mouth experience that lives long beyond the last sip. A win-win for the diner and restaurateur alike!Wine Importers Help Restaurants Differentiate their Wine List
Ontarians have the convenience to be able to shop at over 600+ liquor stores, not to mention the hundreds of grocery stores that extend the LCBO’s product offerings. All of this means the private wine importer is compelled to provide a unique selection of wines to stand out and be noticed. While the retail experience has a strong coverage of popular brands in mainstream categories, private wine agents complete the market with “off-the-beaten path” regional offerings and limited production wines. As you familiarize yourself with local wine agency portfolios, you will quickly identify themes that showcase the areas of specialization and regional expertise that are particular to each company. Keep in mind that every winery represented in Ontario is exclusively represented by one wine importing agent. So, if you are trying to track down a specific wine, search for it by its name and add “Ontario Importer” to the search. It is also useful to keep track of agents that share your own preferences for wine. Once you have identified who these agents are, do subscribe to their mailing lists. That way, you can be among the first to know what is becoming available. Staying connected is the key; you are unlikely to come across one wine agency that offers it all. Ontario’s Wine Agents Source Artisanal Wines
Artisanal wines are produced in small batches compared to the big production of popular brands that drive the bulk of liquor store revenues. The selection of small production wines you will find in stores is a tiny fraction of the overall retail shelf space and sales. By contrast, most private import portfolios are dominated by small scale wineries that focus on territorial expression, or ‘terroir’, rather than style. At the heart of this artisanal wine appreciation are the regional cuisines that complete the dining experience. Minimal intervention farming and winemaking philosophies, including organic and biodynamic production, originated in this artisanal world, and are trending in popularity as consumers become more aware of these healthier choices. You will naturally find a favourable selection of Craft, Organic and Natural wines offered in private import wine portfolios. Exploring artisanal wines offers a diverse experience that makes appreciating wine an endless and pleasurable evolving journey.
No matter why you choose to explore the world of wines beyond what the LCBO offers, you will find a great selection to enjoy through leading wine importers in Ontario, such as 30.50 Imports.