Hey, sip happens.

You got stuck in your house for a year, gained 20+ lbs, binge watched almost every show on Netflix and happy hour kept getting earlier as each month slowly passed you by. Sound familiar?

Ok I may be exaggerating a bit here because I was luckily not laid off from Air Canada and still got to see my friends at work. I also worked at Cave Spring Vineyard in the tasting room so was able to interact with people on a daily basis.

And especially now, I’d rather view the glass as half full and think of all the positive stuff that has happened over the year than concentrate on this shitty pandemic. So…… the summer of 2020 was amazing. Lots of heat and little rain, perfect for outdoor dining. With that in mind, the wines of 2020 could possibly be the best vintage that we’ve seen in years!!! Stay tuned folks….

And speaking of wine, I discovered that I could survive without shopping at the LCBO.  Luckily the LBCO stores were open through the pandemic and don’t get me wrong, visiting a wine store makes me act like a kid in a candy store but there can also be life without our local government run store.

And so that is the theme of my blog today. There are many other options to keep you stocked up on both Domestic and International wines without leaving the comfort of your cozy couch.

Option 1

Ok, you will have to get off the couch for this first option and this is the only one to include the LCBO. Depending on where you live, the selection at your closest LCBO may be lacking. I didn’t realize how lucky I was to be living in Oakville in terms of the LCBO on Cornwall street. The selection there is amazing and pre-covid there was a tasting bar where for a nominal fee you could try most of the wines highlighted in the Vintage Magazine. When we moved to Beamsville I quickly learned that the LCBO on Ontario street was only there to supplement the wineries. But……..I also learned quickly that I could order any wine that was available through the LCBO and a week later pick it up at my local store. So I would go through the Vintage Magazine that the LCBO sends out every few weeks and pick out wines to purchase and have them sent to the store up the street. I have no idea why I didn’t figure this out before but now I’m so happy I did.

Option 2

 In the past, you visit the wineries around the Beamsville Bench but when you go home and go to your local LBCO you are told that the wine that you loved at that cute little winery is not sold though their stores. Please do not give up there…go online and order directly from the winery. In most cases if your order is over $100 then delivery is free. And in many cases some of the best wines can only be bought at the winery. I love Bachelder Wines and it’s such a treat when Mary Bachelder drops the box of wine off. You won’t get such personal service unless you live close by, but you can’t deny the convenience if you’re out of that favourite wine and not planning a trip to the area. Another example is Cave Spring Riesling Dolomite. It is one of those wines that customers buy by the case. They love it but it can only be found at the tasting room. If you can’t make it to the tasting room or if a pandemic closes down the entire Niagara Region again then just go online and buy it!!!

Option 3

 This option is related to option 2.  Joining a Wine Club is a great plan if you want to get amazing wines delivered to your door. Depending on each Club, you will receive wine every few months and believe me when I say it’s like Christmas cuz you never know what’s in the box. It’s a great way to learn more about a winery and try wines that you never would have chosen, can’t get your hand on because it’s a back vintage or a special wine just for members. Right now we are members at Redstone Winery,  2027 Cellars and Domaine Queylus. I’ve been over the moon with the wines we’ve received so far and love some of the perks that are included. Go online and research the wineries your interested in. And remember it’s great to buy local.

Option 4

I have been buying wine from an online store recently. I’m sure there are many but i’ve been using Wineonline.ca.  The only issue is that you usually have to buy a case at a time(12 bottles). Once in a while I receive an email about purchasing a 6 pack. I love reading the descriptions of each wine and I have never been disappointed. I have also found some amazing deals on Ontario wines so it’s worth checking out their website every now and again. Delivery is quick and recently I just used my $25 coupon that was sent to me. There is also a loyalty program where you can use your points toward wine accessories and gourmet food. Like I said, I’m sure there are other online store but this one has worked for me.

Option 5

Wine agencies are my last option and don’t think of this service as one just for customers who have wine cellars and expensive wines. Many of these agencies sell to restaurants as well so I’m sure their businesses are suffering. As with the wineries, you can have wine delivered to your door and these agencies may represent boutique wineries that may be very difficult to discover on your own. Many years ago, we used Lifford Wines and Spirit would have wine tasting parties where the representative would bring his wines and host the tastings. It was fun and informative.

I have never used The Vine Agency but have heard many good things about them.  They are in partnership with Cave Spring Vineyard so you could buy some of your favourite rieslings as well as picking up some of the amazing International wineries that they represent.

Starting this week my husband and I will be part of an online wine tasting with Halpern Wine Agency. It was marketed in partnership with American Express. A case of wine was delivered to us and each tasting is hosted by different wine experts.  I call this the Covid Pivot with Halpern. Not only are they selling wine to us but we are interactively learning what we bought. They are creating sales in a new and innovative way as many wineries have been doing during the pandemic.

So needless to say I have been able to keep my wine fridge stocked without visits to the LCBO. I love all the options that I have these days but with that in mind please consider buying local wines to be part of your purchase. The Ontario Wine Industry is important to our economy and with VQA annual sales of .5 billion dollars in 2019, the impact staggering.

Like I’ve been saying for the last year, I’m helping the local economy and that is answer I’m sticking with. There is no excuse to run out of wine and interrupt you binging on Bridgerton.

Any Wine Clubs you love? A Wine Agency that is exceptional? Another way of getting wine at your door without leaving your couch? An amazing series to binge on?? I’d love to hear your comments and suggestions.

Catherine and The Travelling Vines