You may want to take the whole evening to savour a glass of wine, pair a few vintages with food, or discover new favourites among a flight of unfamiliar tastes. However you like to appreciate your wine, there’s stemware downtown with your name on it.
While the ambiance is reminiscent of an English members-only club, the wine list at Consort Bar is not stuffy at all. There are vintages sold by the glass from Ontario, British Columbia, Europe and a wide array of New World producers. You'll notice the menu lists wines according to taste preferences, starting with sweeter varietals through drier options – which should help prevent novices from mixing up chardonnay and Chablis.
The iconic Rex Jazz and Blues Bar is a two-minute walk from city hall. Every week, you'll find up to 18 cutting-edge live acts performing on the little corner stage. Regular patrons can attest – there are few ways to spend an evening that are better than sipping on great wine to the sounds of mellow music. The list is short but sweet, focusing on New World wines. Be sure to check out the surprise sommelier’s choice, too.
The dark wood panelling and ceiling-to-floor drapes will probably make you want to keep your voice down by day (after all it is a library!), but things loosen up in the evening in this stately bar at The Fairmont Hotel. The wine list is fairly extensive, with around 50 Canadian, New World and European varietals to pick from – most of which you can purchase by the glass. Reading the menu is fun as it has a literary theme.
This mecca for oenophiles may have changed its menu and decor a few times over the years, but the amazing wine list hasn't been tampered with, thankfully. You can travel around the world on a glass here, as top vintages rub shoulders with edgy offerings. A rustic fusion menu and fashionable interior are great attractions, but you'll be coming here for the wine. Check the colour, rotate your glass, inhale, sit back and savour.