The Wine Shop

I don’t always go to The Wine Shop. But when I do, it’s out of convenience.
I’m not a wine snob. I swear. I love my wine! From most parts of the world! But when I’m walking in here, I’m not willing to drop much money on an Ontario red wine. Sorry, but you guys know what I mean. And yes, I’ve tried my sharing.
Point is, I think that everyone in the neighbourhood goes here out of sheer convenience. Not because they’d choose it over an LCBO (or any other wine shop it they were not government regulated).
SO. When I walk in and grab one of those XOXO Shiraz/​Cab blends out.of.convenience cause nah, I didn’t feel like walking ALL the way up north to Spadina & King (you guys know what tf I’m talking about on a Friday night after work), don’t side-​mouth say to your co-​worker, ‘This is all you’, because I didn’t want to try one of your ‘fancy’ wines at the ‘fancy’ counter that you’re standing there all fancy, looking bored at. And hopefully your co-​worker won’t side-​mouthed also say, ‘You always call it!’.
Listen. I’ve never purchased a pumpkin spiced latte. I don’t ONLY buy scented candles. I don’t own any velour pants that say anything on the butt region. YES, I have two small dogs. Fine. But don’t judge me on your stupid XOXO wine. I’m having a Netflix night. I don’t feel like walking up the block for the wine I actually REALLY like. I’m just purchasing your semi-​OK wine cause, tonight, I’m lazy. I don’t need your commentary about how you KNEW that’s the crappy wine I’d buy, out of your semi-​ok collection. Come on.
But, you have a great night too! *over-​exaggerated smile*
(and no, I haven’t figured out what to watch on Netflix yet, hence this post)

I have always wanted to stop in here, but never had the time, but I did the other day. Despite be large space the options are actually somewhat limited. They have only Canadian wines and represent the Niagara wines mostly. Peller has a huge space there and is clearly the centre of attention. I tried two wines that they were sampling that day. Both were a mix of Canadian, with one being California and the other being New Zealand as the other contributors. The wines were nice and the space was very beautifully laid out. There was nothing there that would make me need or want to come back though. Staff were very pleasant but I had a feeling their audience was more for tourists and those visiting the area.

Oh my, is this place ever nice.
Vineyards Estate Wines serves up mainly Hillebrand and Peller Estate wines, but with a greater supply and selection than your usual LCBO fare. Stuff that you can usually only find in the winery. They also carry fancy glasses and decanters and all the tools you need to impress your significant other of your wine abilities. And, for the days when you don’t have the money to enjoy a more prestigious bottle, they have an excellent selection of your basic wines in various sizes and types of packaging. (Not all boxed wine is bad, people!)
The staff is extremely knowledgeable and quick to help. There’s always several different types of wine available for sampling, and the staff *knows* about the wines you are sampling and will talk to you about them.
At this location there always seems to be special events going on that you can sign up for. One time I went they were having a special dinner with a local fancy restaurant catering food for the Chinese New Year. Apparently it was a big success.
It loses one star because I’m so intimidated about wine. Not about *drinking* wine, just about buying and sampling and saying what I think about it. Gives me the heebeejeebies writing about it.