TorontoWine.Com

your guide to wine in the city

Introduction to Wine in Toronto

There is an amazing amount of information on wine available via the internet.  The problem is knowing where to find what you are looking for.  TorontoWine.Com solves that problem for the Toronto wine lover by locating the most important wine sites, grouping them according to pre-defined themes and providing a brief description of site content.  Toronto specific information is provided wherever applicable.  Where a broader brush is appropriate, priority is given to Canadian based organizations.  

Note that this site receives no advertising revenues.  If there are any unconscious biases displayed, they are strictly personal and are not driven by monetary considerations.  

Read on for a site overview or simply browse the headings in the table of contents. 

Pure Education

If you want to start your wine education in a structured fashion, you can take a Course, browse some Educational Sites, find a good show on TV or Radio or download a podcast to your mp3 player.  However if you like the idea of curling up in front of the fire with a good wine and some reading material, you will find information on magazines and newsletters under Publications, and information on Toronto bookstores and some suggested titles under Books.  If you are interested in studying the tasting process, follow the Tasting link.  You may also find the People page helpful.  It contains biographies of some of the leading personalities in the Toronto wine world.

Education and Socializing

A good way to enhance your knowledge and expertise and also try some fabulous wines that might be out of your price range, is to join a local wine Club.  A typical club in Toronto has a monthly tasting on a preset theme such as a particular grape or region/grape. Some clubs also offer dinners as part of their schedule.

Another approach is to attend a special Wine Event.  International Shows feature the products of a particular country or region e.g., California or Australia.  Many of the products presented may not be readily available in Ontario.  Domestic Shows typically feature offerings from the major wine agencies in Ontario and the wines are usually available in Ontario either from the LCBO, Vintages, or on a consignment basis.  If the budget allows, you can attend a Charity Function to taste, buy or both.  

Buying & Storing

If you have decided to start a cellar are wondering how to store your wine or where, visit the Storing Wine page for options.  The Buying Wine will also be helpful in identifying wine buying options in Ontario.  For stemware, corkscrews and gift ideas, check out the Accessories page.

Food & Wine

Perhaps, you love to entertain and want to make sure that the right wine is served with each course.  Follow the Food & Wine link to learn more.  You'll find some general principles on food and wine matching, some sites to further facilitate the process and some interesting books on the subject.  You'll also find a section on Party Planning - useful for weddings and other special occasions. 

if you'd rather have somebody else do the cooking, refer to Restaurants for online sources including Wine Spectator's restaurant picks in Toronto.  If you're just looking for somewhere to enjoy a good glass of wine after work, refer to Wine Bars for some possibilities.

Travel

If you are interested in information on destinations within easy access of Toronto (Toronto Area; Niagara; Prince Edward County; the Finger Lakes in New York State) or on escorted tours further afield (California, Okanagan, Europe, New World ), follow the Travel link.  The Europe and New World pages both feature a grid where you can see at a glance where tour operators are based and where they go.

Or visit the Wine Region page first if you have a specific region or country in mind and want to travel independently.  For Vinotherapy, which is a wine based spa treatment, and information sources on the benefits of wine in moderation, visit the Massage & Health page.

If you live in the USA and are planning a trip to Toronto, refer to the USA Visitor Guide page for detailed information on what to see and where to go.

Feedback

Don't hesitate to send an email to Adam Plackett, the publisher of this site, if you have any comments or suggestions.  Likewise, if you are establishing a Toronto relevant wine site and would like to be listed.

Home  About Us   Accessories   Books  Buying Wine  Clubs  Education  Events  Food & Wine  Massage & Health   People  Publications  Restaurants & Bars  Storing  Tasting  Tours & Travel  Wild Cards  USA Visitor Guide  Wine Regions
CONTACT US