Social distancing has never tasted quite so good… and then there’s the black latex gloves.

 

In these challenging self-isolating/social-distancing times it’s heartening to know that, at time of writing, one can still have the pleasure of wine hygienically delivered directly to your home address from independent wine agents and wineries (As of yesterday the LCBO has ceased their deliveries as Canada Post has decided to suspend their home delivery of packages requiring proof of age.)

We spoke to a few of our friends in the wine business to hear what wonderful services they are extending in these troubled times.

“We can deliver to your home, cottage or bunker.  

Quarantine cases from the safety of home.  

We have wines that pair with all your canned goods.

Free delivery for the next month!” – Craig De Blois, Noble Estates

Contact Joe Alberti for all of your orders.

Le Sommelier’s Bernard Stramwasser practicing self-isolation.

“We have wine.

LOTS of wine. 

We know you like wine too. We are open for business, and want to share these amazing wines with you. Starting today, and until the end of March, we will be offering FREE delivery within the GTA.

Don’t go to the store; we’ll deliver to your door! For FREE.

You can view our current portfolio here.

If you have any questions about the wines or quantities, please email me and I’d be happy to discuss.” – Bernard Stramwasser, Le Sommelier

Contact Bernard here.

“A message from The Case For Wine: If you’re like us and consider wine, food and conversation around the table fundamental, I reckon we’ll get along.

A bit about our weekly wine offers: Twice a week we send a brief and succinct email to our Restaurant and Private Consumer mailing list, not a mass blast that’ll ends up in junk or makes you sleepy, but rather a small, focused, interesting and succinct offering of really good wine.

Most of our business is direct to consumers home or office, an offering that I fear many people have no idea is an option.

In these uncertain times you find you need Bloody good House wine, Barolo, Bordeaux, Chianti or just a Vinous chat, drop us a line, we can have wine delivered to you in no time.

Give us a bell at 4164820241 or check out https://thecaseforwine.com/

Take this time to enjoy a few nice bottles of wine, cook with your closest, watch out for others and buy a Gift Certificate from your favourite small Restaurant.” – Ruben Elmer, The Case For Wine

“Drink Better Wines + Spirits is open for business and is ready for contactless drop-offs in the GTA — with no delivery charges. Invite our ‘farms and families, not factories’ wineries into your self-isolation contemplation.” – Kari Macknight Dearborn, Brink Better Wines & Spirits 

 

We usually service restaurants, but we have always had a large and loyal cadre of private customers. We are currently providing contactless delivery to most places in Ontario.

Order online at www.smallwinemakers.ca or call us at 416-463-4677

Why not curl up with a glass of wine and read that book you have been meaning to open, or finish that puzzle that you have never attempted. Let’s keep self-isolation civilized!

 

Take care and stay safe

Peter Wearing and the rest of The Small Winemakers Collection

 

“On a good day wine may occupy 2% of most people’s thoughts, and these days it’s much, much, less. Maybe it’s trivial in fraught times to think too much about it. But wine does matter, it can bring comfort, a moment of enjoyment and a respite from concerns. And people like wine, especially good wine, so we’re happy to deliver that to your home. Here’s a link” – Jason Woodman, Woodman Wines & Spirits

“Exclusive wines, delivered directly to your door! 

Buyers+Cellars is a new boutique wine agency. Our carefully curated portfolio is focused on hand-crafted wines – made by passionate producers – that exemplify the fullest expression of a region’s terroir and style. 

And … we make house calls!

Serving Ontario wine consumers is the most important thing we do. In spite of this challenging and quickly-evolving environment we all find ourselves in, we will continue to make deliveries, to your door, for as long as possible.  Until April 12th, all shipping charges and minimum order quantities will be waived.

Here is a selection of some of the wines we currently have in stock. If you would like to place an order, or have any questions about our wines or about this process, please contact us:  info@buyersandcellars.ca

Be well” – The Buyers + Cellars Team

“Until April 30th we will be offering our never-before-released Niagara Peninsula wines to our loyal customers for $25 a bottle.

We will now be offering free shipping on a minimum 6 bottle purchase” – Adam Lowy, Cloudsley Cellars

“To our Valued Clients

 As we navigate through this uncertain period, we want to let you know that our priority is the safety and well-being of our employees, customers, and community.

 We will remain open for business and will continue providing our customers with home delivery as long as product remains available through the LCBO. Delivery charges will be waived on all order regardless of case quantity.

 Please contact our order desk at order@profilewinegroup.com or at (416) 598-0033 (option #3).” – Frank Romantini, Profile Wine Group

“I’m now the head driver, invoice maker, and case lugger! I’m promising to sanitize each case as I drop off and wipe the doorbell clean! A wise uncle once told me  – Candy and Booze in war time and peace. We are at war!
 
So I’ve loaded up on kit kats and delivering wine to our valued customers door to door so we are all covered… or as the old saying goes…
 
Order from Cru or we both go thirsty! 
 
Most importantly stay safe and healthy.” – Charles Baker, Stratus/Cru
“Feeling shut in? Going a little crazy? We’ll deliver wine to your door – almost like Pizza.
 
Direct delivery of wines that (mostly) don’t appear on LCBO store shelves is what we do – both to restaurants and to individual wine lovers. Like a set of snow tires, a case or 2 of good wine from an independent winery makes a great investment that doesn’t actually cost you more than you might otherwise spend (and you won’t have to run out to the store).
 
We sell by-the-case (6 or 12 bottles, depending on the wine) and offer an outstanding selection from family-owned estates in Ontario, California, France, Italy, Australia and New Zealand.
 
See our complete current list at www.theVineAgency.ca  Delivery within a day or 2, depending on where you are.
 
Many of our wines are well known, but not available in LCBO – Cave Spring, 2027, McManis, Loveblock, Groth, Heartland, Prà, Le Fonti, and many more. Give us a call for more info.” – Alexander Gaunt, The Vine Agency

“The Living Vine imports Ontario’s largest selection of Organic, Biodynamic and Natural wines – over 300 wines in stock.
 
Along with other amazing specials and offers (Join our mailing list by sending an email to Orders@thelivingvine.ca) we offer free delivery anywhere in Ontario. www.thelivingvine.ca
 
We also have an amazing wine club called the Real Wine Exchange – A killer mixed case curated by our team of naturally minded Sommeliers” – Mark Cuff, The Living Vine

Mellecey Wine Group's delightful Cyndi Grossman enjoys some terrific rosé at Toronto's Spoke Club.

“Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have” – Winston Churchill
 
“Offering Great wines by contact-free deliveries to your doorstep.” – Cyndi Grossman, Mellecey Wine Group
“Some people say that when life gives you lemons, you should drink lemonade. But at Nicholas Pearce Wines, we prefer a nice glass of wine (and we suspect you do too).
 
That’s why we’re offering free shipping for the rest of March on deliveries from our online store.” – Nicholas Pearce, Nicholas Pearce Wines
“While nothing is business as usual at the moment our wines continue to be available at the LCBO and grocery. In addition for those folks who are staying home, if you’re like me and can’t miss dinner without a glass of wine, The Speck Bros have your back. We will be shipping directly.” – Daniel Speck, Henry Of Pelham/Family Wine Merchants

“In an effort to help our winery fans stay connected to their vino of choice without the jeopardy of social interaction,  we are eliminating delivery fees on any wine order of any size. Just click and sip at peller.com or call 1-866-440-4383 and we will get your wine to your door pronto!

 

In preparation for prolonged social distancing, consider a myWineLife wine club membership; this quarterly wine club is a fully customizable ‘just-for-you’ bon vivant’s dream and features the best bottles from Thirty bench, Trius, Gretzky and Peller wineries. 

 

The accompanying myWineLife magazine in each delivery has amazing recipes, wine information and at-home entertaining ideas.  Call 1-866-440-4383 or visit our wine club page at peller.com” – Mark Torrance, Andrew Peller Limited

“In this time of self-cocooning, it’s not necessary to deprive yourself of your usual comforts, including great local things. For me one of those things is fabulous local wine. 

Prefer not to get out and about? The Great Estates of Niagara is open for business online and is currently offering free shipping on orders of six bottles or more.

The Great Estates of Niagara encompasses several fine properties in Arterra Wines Canada‘s well known Niagara portfolio including Inniskillin (Canada’s pioneering winery), Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate, and the eponymously named Arterra Wines. (I also point you, separately, to the terroir rich wines of Le Clos Jordanne, available through shop.leclosjordanne.com/shop.) 

With so much selection, everyone has their favourites, and several of mine include: Inniskillin Montague Vineyard Chardonnay, Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Reds (pretty much all of them, especially the Red Meritage), and Arterra Pinot Noir.

So, friends, this is my call to action (or inaction as the case may be): stay in, stay calm, support local, and imbibe freely (but responsibly)!

Salut,

Eugene 

Eugene Mlynczyk MW, Master of Wine

PS It is important to note that all shipments of alcohol require a 19+ signature. Canada Post is no longer delivering to doors for signatures and packages will be sent to Canada Post depots for pick up and signature. Wines will not be left on doorsteps. Further details available on the Great Estates of Niagara website. Enjoy!”

“In our own small way to help flatten the curve, we have most staff working from home except for those needed for the essential operation of the winery and vineyard. We all have to do our part. But being at home and going out as little as possible doesn’t mean you have to make compromises on your wine choices! Thankfully, it’s never been easier to get great wine delivered to your door.

Yesterday we put out an offer for free shipping on orders of 6 bottles or more, recognizing that people were looking for a safe and efficient way to receiving their wine while practicing social distancing. Overnight we’ve been blown away by the uptick from our customers online and are so appreciate to have their support during this uneasy time.  Their email correspondence has been warm, understanding and focused on the sense of greater community.

Today, I’ve had the pleasure of taking many calls for phone orders and the conversations have been very uplifting – more often than not beginning with the caller saying to me -‘Hey, how are you guys fairing out there, is everyone ok and hanging in?’ We will continue with our shipping promotions and other specials as long as required.

Knowing our wine is being enjoyed at a time when people are struggling to maintain a sense of normalcy is a small but satisfying accomplishment amidst the daily updates and news releases. Visit Malvioire.com or give us a call and thank you for your support!” – Stephen Gash, Malivoire 

“We have closed the winery tentatively until April 6th, but we are still delivering wine. 

We are offering 10% (code TSV10) off all orders and free shipping on orders over 4 bottles (within Ontario).” – Katie Harris, Two Sisters Winery

The Dean’s List – March 2020

REDS:

Valle Andino Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2018, Maule Valley, Chile         $19.50

Intense ruby-red color with aromas of red fruits with a soft spicy note.  Fresh mouth-feeling and tannins that are present but easy to drink, this is a very balanced wine.  Great everyday Cabernet.

 

Tandem ‘Ars in Vitro’ 2016, Navarra, Spain                                                  $19.00                                    

A mountain grown wine with a powerful expression of the terroir.  Intense floral aromas with cherries and strawberries. On the palate it is a fresh wine with a lengthy finish.   This overdelivers quality.

 

Empordalia Verdera Negre 2018, Emporada, Spain                                      $16.00

Intense purple-red colour.   A smooth, broad, powerful structure with floral aromas.
The palate is medium-full and round with good intensity and nice length – immensely drinkable.

 

Domaine Lafond ‘Roc L’Epine’ 2018, Côtes du Rhône, France                      $22.00

70% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 100% Organic.  Soft tannins with rather fleshy palate, with notes of licorice, cocoa, cherry and vanilla. 

 

Alpha Zeta Amarone della Valipollicella DOCG 2016, Veneto, Italy $56.50  (6 btl case)

Wine lovers rejoice!  Classic Amarone, big and bold.   A pleasure to drink with whomever you are with!     

 

 

 

ROSE & WHITES

Les Jamelles Cinsault Rose 2018, Languedoc, France                                   $15.00   (was $18)

This wine has a brilliant pink colour and displays aromas of raspberry and red currant as well as hints of rose and lavender. It is fresh, round and long on the palate.  Feel springtime now!

 

Domaine Ste. Rose Marin Blanc 2015, Languedoc, France                           $18.00 (was $23)

Silver medal from Decanter!   Rich honeyed, fruity nose.  Rich yet balanced mouth feel with peach, melon and soft oak influence.  Delicious on its own or with light foods with white sauce.

 

Les Jamelles Viognier 2016, Languedoc, France                                           $15.00  (was $18)

Very aromatic and rich, it is well-balanced between roundness and freshness.  Its fruit forward flavours of peach and apricot melt with floral hints on a honey finish.  If you like rich Chardonnay, try this.

 

Tinpot Hut Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand                   $24.00

Intense aromas of grapefruit and crushed lemongrass mingle with passionfruit and melon.  A complex and elegant wine with classic characters of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.  A fine balance of acidity and fruit leading to a lingering finish.   Gold Medal – New World Wine Awards.

All wines available in 12 btl cases unless otherwise noted. Full cases only.  Prices includes HST, do not include bottle deposit.  Delivery $10 for 1 case, $10 for 2 cases, Free for 3 cases.

To order contact Heather Ann at: inquiries@hobbsandcompany.com

“It’s easy, I send you a list and you can call, email or text me your order.

If you’re interested, I can consult with you to help guide you through our extensive portfolio to choose wine that suits your taste.

We can process your payment and deliver to your doorstep. No need to battle traffic, pay for parking or deal with crowded stores.

It’s the perfect way to stock your cellar whilst practising social distancing.

Deliveries will be done by me to avoid the boxes being handled by additional people.

I will be wearing latex gloves when handling cases and paperwork.

Arrangements can be made to have the wine delivered with no direct contact. 

Take care of yourselves and each other.” – Gary Stinson, Artisanal Wine Imports

Contact Gary right here.

“We’re writing to provide an update on where we stand in light of the new COVID-19 reality. Our priority is the health and well-being of our team, our clients, and our community. Things are changing quickly, and we’ve had to adapt, but for the moment we’re still up and running. Like most of you we’re working from home, and we’re continuing to do our job – getting wine to you. 

Due to this challenging and uncertain climate, we are offering free delivery in the GTA until the end of April (or until the LCBO warehouse closes its doors). 
 
Our latest update from the LCBO indicated that stores are open for business and that management is proactively planning for increased demand. As of right now, the LCBO’s consignment warehouse is also still operating normally. 
 
With new measures and closures announced daily, we don’t know how long this will last. Many of you are responsibly engaging in social distancing and may not feel comfortable heading into LCBO stores right now, but we’re here to help. 

We’re monitoring the situation and will let you know as new details emerge. In the meantime, please stay healthy, stay home, and have your wine delivered.

Click here for our availability. For updates or if you have questions at any time, don’t hesitate to reach out. MichelleD@lifford.com ” – The Lifford Team

“In these super strange times, we hope we can offer our members a bit of joy and comfort with our delivery wine services…

For the past 7 years the CB Wine Program has delivered terrific wines from small producers from around the world to our members’ homes each and every month.

The wines are accompanied by a full write up and we feature a different food basket from Cheese Boutique to pair with the wines.

We feature 2 different restaurants each month where our members have comped corkage.

We also deliver wines on demand from over 100 different producers to your home at a moment’s notice!” – Franco Stalteri, Charlie’s Burgers Wine Program

 

So there you have it… many ways to get your vinous rations safely delivered by some lovely people!

Now stay safe out there, and I hope that you get all of the wine that you require to get you through these undeniably tough times.

 

Edinburgh-born/Toronto-based Sommelier, consultant, writer, judge, and educator Jamie Drummond is the Director of Programs/Editor of Good Food Revolution… And remember, as Mark Vonnegut (son of Kurt) said, we are here to help each other get through this thing, whatever it is.