Beer, Wine & Spirits in Toronto

Powered by more than 45 years of collective experience, the staff members at Great Fermentations share their technical know-how with the public through classes and an intimate knowledge of the store's merchandise. Beginner-friendly brewing courses teach the fundamentals of successful beer creation, overviewing the process, ingredients, sanitation, and how to do a proper keg stand. A huge selection of brewing supplies makes it easy for alumni to go forth and prosper with all the appropriate equipment and ingredients. Great Fermentations also stocks provisions for creating homemade sodas, wines, and a variety of cheeses.

Garnering the title of Best Wine Bar in Toronto from Now magazine, Fat Cat Wine Bar upholds its reputation with artful small plates and a carefully curated selection of wines. The bottle vault includes harvests from Europe, Australia, and America, all approved by wine-enthusiast owner Mathew Sutherland.

Outside on the sun-dappled patio, pots simmer with cheese fondue, beckoning slices of bread to succumb to a dripping, melty fate. Platters of escargot showcase accents of roasted mushrooms, leek, and speck, while the Fat Cat sausage is joined by a warm truffled potato salad. For dessert, apple cobbler arrives crowned with whipped cream, and Grand Marnier strawberries underscore the richness of a dense chocolate brownie. Fat Cat Wine Bar upholds modest elegance with wooden tables, a granite-top bar, and restroom signs recovered from the original court of Versailles.

Having built up an arsenal of winemaking know-how from years spent assisting her father in his own winemaking endeavours, Nina Triassi opened Ti Amo Fine Wines as a way to share her passion for the creation of grape-based libations with fellow wine enthusiasts. With the support of her team—including a brewing specialist and an on-site winemaking technical adviser—Nina guides her customers through the relaxed and simplified process of transforming one of their red, white, or specialty wine kits into ambrosial potations or offerings to immortal telemarketers. Once Nina and her crew have helped patrons whip up their grape-based potions, guests can retire to the store’s advanced automated equipment to partake in the bottling of their creations.

Herbert Konzelmann was in a pickle. He took the reins of his great-grandfather’s winery in Germany just around the time that the country’s growing population needed more land. Unable to acquire the acreage he needed to expand, Herbert uprooted his business from his homeland and moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1983. He chose the shorefront spot due to its balance of sun, soil, airflow, and moisture that mimics the climate of the many successful wineries started inside of deserted terrariums. He and his staff—many of whom are part of the Konzelmann family—strive to produce low-yield, high-quality wines. To achieve this, they handpick grapes from the oldest vines to create award-winning vintages in their signature style: a clean, delicate, and fruity pour. The lush lakefront vineyard also serves as a backdrop for weddings, corporate events, tours, and tasting.

Under the direction of master winemaker David Johnson, the team behind Rootstocks celebrates wine by leading clients through vine-to-bottle experiences at its pesticide-free vineyard. Members participate as much or as little as they like in producing their own wine, joining any part of the year-long process that includes barrel sampling in the winter and crop thinning in the summer. Located on 10 acres in Niagara wine country, the red clay soil nourishes grapes such as cabernet franc, chardonnay, and pinot noir, all of which Rootstocks’ team helps visitors turn into their signature blends. After the grapes have been harvested by hand, processed, aged in barrels, and assigned astrological signs, an in-house graphic designer helps clients create their own custom labels.