Buying wine in Ontario

LCBO & Vintages
The starting point for most purchases, whether domestic or foreign is the LCBO which includes Vintages.  The LCBO is the largest single purchaser of beverage alcohol in the world, purchasing fine wine, spirits and beer from more than 60 countries.  Over 4,000 products are available in more than 30 stores across Toronto.  The majority of products listed at the LCBO are available on a year over year basis subject to sales volume. The LCBO site has a very helpful product search feature - good when you half remember a name or you have a favourite product and want to see if there is any left.  The site lists the current inventory by store every Saturday.

Vintages is the fine wines and premium spirits division of the LCBO and specializes in one-off purchases.  It normally has two product releases a month.  You can subscribe (free of charge) to their monthly magazine which provides details of what will be available as well as cooking tips and upcoming events.  Your local store can provide the subscription form.  The magazine is also available on line.  Follow the "Monthly Release" link.  

A subset of the Vintages model is the "discoveries program" under which a small number of products are selectively released at certain stores.  You should ask your local store if the program is in existence there.  In addition, Vintages provides a Classics Catalogue three times a year which has rare and unusual wines for sale.  

All non Canadian products at the LCBO are represented by an agency.  A listing at the LCBO is a valuable commodity so agencies are always trying to get more of their products listed.  

Agencies
A second option for buying wine is to deal directly with an agency.  Agencies have a dual role.  As well as supplying wine to the LCBO and Vintages, they also sell to restaurants.  Many restaurants, particularly the higher end ones, prefer to list non LCBO products.  If you have particular tastes in wine or you like the idea of getting a more exclusive product, it is well worth your while to build a relationship with an agency.   They can also help you order wine from overseas if you know exactly what you want.   Pricing is regulated by the LCBO however so you don't have an opportunity to get a deal  

Local Producers
A third option, applicable specifically to Ontario products, is to pay a visit to the producer / winery or buy the wine at a producer run store.  

Personal Import
You enjoyed an idyllic overseas holiday including some fabulous wines and you've decided to bring back a case.  Well, you're in for a shock price wise.  If the wine accompanies you on the plane, the combined effect of Duty & Excise taxes, LCBO markup, GST and RST is in the region of 70%.  If the wine is unaccompanied, the markup is 110%.    

Consignment
Consignment is actually a misleading term. The word consignment refers strictly to the payment terms between the LCBO and the winery. What you need to know as a consumer is that 75% of the wine selection in the province is imported through the consignment program. If you are only buying your wine directly from the LCBO you are missing the vast majority of fine wine being imported into the province.

The LCBO's consignment program was started as a way for wine agents to import specialty premium wines through the LCBO warehousing system. These wines never appear in the stores and are sold by case lots only by the agents to their customers. Many of these wines are sold to restaurants and resorts, but there is nothing preventing consumers from also enjoying them at home.  First, call or email the agent or visit their web site to obtain an up-to-date price list. Remember that you must order by the case (but keep in mind that some wines are available in six bottle cases, and in the case of Ontario wines, it's possible to assemble a mixed case). Lifford will deliver the wine directly to your home or office. Depending on your location, shipping charges may apply.