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Montreal is the major metropolis of Quebec. The cultural capital of French-speaking North America, Montreal bridges the gap between European and North American cultures. With over 4 million people in the Montreal metro area, there are ample opportunities for enjoying wine.
edit Stores
In Quebec, the SAQ (Société des Alcools du Québec) controls all sales of wines and liquors. Grocery stores also sell wines of lesser quality, and private imports can be arranged with official approval from the SAQ. In most situations, people just buy their wine at a SAQ store. Those are everywhere around the province (100+ stores in Montreal alone) and are usually very well stocked with a large choice of products, and very well trained salespeople.
- Société des Alcools du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, 514-254-2020 (W). SAQ is an agency of the government of Quebec.
- Aux Plaisirs de Bacchus, 1225 W. Bernard St., Montreal, Quebec, 514-273-3104 (W). One of the greatest wine supply stores in town, at the heart of the Outremont neighborhood.
edit Bars
- Bouchonné, comptoir à vins, 9, E. Fairmount St., Montreal, Quebec, +1-514-273-8846 (W). Small wine bar with a selection of 30+ wines, some privately imported. The menu emphasizes flights of related wines paired with cheeses or tapas-style snacks.
- BU Bar À Vins, 5245 Saint-Laurent Bld., Montreal, Quebec, +1-514-276-0249 (W). Modern décor, tapa-like plates and a nice selection of wines.
- Pullman Wine Bar, 3424 av du Parc, Montreal, Quebec, +1-514-288-7779 (W). Tony, pleasant wine bar with great selection and nice décor. Weekly thematic tasting selection of 3 wines.
edit Restaurants
In recent years, more and more Montreal restaurants have been improving their wine selection. Here are the most impressive ones.
- Au Pied De Cochon, 536 East Duluth St., Montreal, Quebec, +1-514-281-1114 (W). A heavily gastronomic menu prepared by famous Quebec chef Martin Picard, with an impressive selection of the finest Burgundy wines.
- Les Deux Singes de Montarvie, 176 W. Saint-Viateur St., Montreal, Quebec, +1-514-278-6854 (W). Cozy restaurant in the Mile-End neighborhood, offering gastronomic fish and meat plates, with owner-imported French wines.
- Les Trois Petits Bouchons, 4669 Saint-Denis, Montreal, Quebec, +1-514-285-4444 (W). Neighborhood restaurant with fine traditional French food and wine.
edit "Apportez votre vin"
In Montreal and elsewhere in Quebec, restaurants without an official alcohol license sometimes let you bring your own wine to drink with their meals. Look for the catchphrase Apportez votre vin (Bring Your Own Wine). This is a clever way to save on the bill while drinking a good wine.
edit Groups
- Amicale des sommeliers du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, 514-522-7020 (W). Organizes tastings and other events for sommeliers and other wine lovers of Quebec.
edit Events
- Montreal Wine & Spirits Expo, Palais des Congrès de Montréal, 1001, place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, Montreal, Quebec. A trade show featuring the local wine industry and the major importers.
- Montréal Passion Vin, Hilton Montreal Bonaventure, 900 de la Gauchetière St. West, Montreal, Quebec, +1-514-252-3435 (W). Some of the finest winemakers of the world present their products to Montreal wine lovers.
edit Classes
- Les Connaisseurs, Montreal, Quebec, 1-866-486-7487 (W). Wine classes offered twice a week by the SAQ at its biggest stores. In French only.
edit Media
- Wine with Norm Bélanger is a weekly segment on the Monday version of the CBC radio show Home Run. It features recommendations for wines available at the SAQ as well as themed shows about different kinds of wines.
- Wine with Bill Zacharkiw is a column appearing bi-weekly in the Montreal Gazette. On Wednesdays Bill answers questions from readers, and on Saturdays he reviews 5-7 wines available at the SAQ and has a column on a wine theme.
edit See also
