For anyone who likes to make an informed purchase, whether on wine, winter wardrobes, or weird cat barista aprons, the pandemic was a depressing time to be a consumer. Testing before buying was really not a thing anymore. October and November used to be the season of wine salons in Montreal, moving from La Grande Dégustation to RASPIPAV for private imports to Les Turbulents, a sole wine-makers and natural wine salon, to RAW, the international natural wine phenomenon that had two seasons in the city before the pandemic brought it to a crashing end.
But now, wine-lovers rejoice! No need to buy a bottle or a case, whether at an SAQ store or online, or through private import without tasting it first. Because whether you’re going to spend $15, $30, or $50+ a bottle, or hundreds on a case, it’s really nice to have a bit of guidance that isn’t the mass world of online reviews with people whose taste preferences may not be your own. There’s really nothing like sipping (and spitting) 20 or 30 wines from your favourite importers or reps and then knowing that the bottles or cases are going to be worth it. That was especially important for me because I’d often split cases with friends who relied on my opinion of a wine being great to make it worth their investment. And I did most of that testing during the fall at the wine-tasting events above, taking copious notes for articles and recommendations.
During the pandemic, I was flying blind. It’s true that last year a lot of the salons came back in a virtual version, but again, if you’re not tasting, there’s only so much a backstory or description can do. Wine is visceral and personal. So get your tickets and plan your itineraries, because these salons will set you up for the rest of the season, if not longer.
My Tips
La Grande Dégustation:
This is the biggest salon in the city. Its more than 280 exhibitors from 25 countries, for a grand total of more than 1,600 products and 80 wine regions. The featured regions this year are Abruzzo (Italy), Alsace (France),all of Portugal, Washington state, and California, but there’ll also be wines from Spain, Greece, Lebanon, Germany, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and more.
It’s often bigger producers, so more commercial offerings because it’d be too expensive for the tiny producers to get a booth. Instead, it’s more trade organizations and wineries with marketing reps who travel from salon to salon. That’s not to say there aren’t some great products here, including organics, natural wines and funky orange wines, but this is a wine salon where I usually try to hunt down the more expensive classics I might not get to try other places: reputable Champagnes, Italian Barolo and Brunello, white Burgundies and big Bordeaux. It’s also where I’d sometimes try Cognacs that I’d want to drink on my honeymoon (maybe), and it’s a great place for lovers of scotches, rums, and whiskies.
Where: Grand Quai du Vieux-Port, 200, rue de la Commune Ouest (It’s not in the windowless Place Bonaventure anymore – hurray!), Metro Place-d’Armes or Square Victoria-OACI.
When: Thursday, October 20, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (industry professionals), Friday, October 21, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. (general public), Saturday, October 22, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. (general public).
How much: Entry is $20 onsite or $18 presale. Tasting coupons: $1 each, with some tastings going u to $25 but most in the 1-5 range. Tickets: https://lepointdevente.com/billets/lgdm22
RASPIPAV Private import wine salon
This private import-only salon features 1,200 products from 23 countries for tasting. A lot of vigneron winemakers come to present their products and are hosted from their representatives in Montreal, e.g. Glou, Oenopole, Rézin, Ward et Associés, Bambara Sélections, Bacchus 76, Symbiose Vins, Vins Origines, Agence Sans Nom, Balthazard, and so many more. The biggest perk of this salon is you can order a mixed case from a selection of about 600 of the wines, beers and spirits at the salon instead of having to hunt down all the bottles separately or buy a whole case. you can also order a case from the comfort of your home, but that defeats the whole point of tasting them first.
Where: Marché Bonsecours
When: Oct 15-17, 2022 (Oct. 18 in Quebec City)
How much: Pass100: $100 for 100 coupons ($1 each) and free entry
General entry: $25 for entry and a tasting glass or $40 for entry, 15 coupons and a glass (you get 20 coupons if you buy this deal in advance).
Tickets: https://lepointdevente.com/billets/salondesvinsdimportationprivee2022
RAW Wine
The salon I’m most excited about is wine (I did write about it once for the Montreal Gazette and interview the founder, which was very cool), which brings together some of the coolest natural wine producers around the world for a multi-city and multi-continent tour of salons. Come early to taste some of the hardest-to-get bottles from Sicily, Washington, France (natural grower Champagne!), and Quebec. cornelissen is back, as is Stirm from California, Foradori, Elios, and Domaine Grosbois, Pearl Morissette, La Petite Baigneuse, Occhipinti, and Les Pervenches.
When: Nov. 19-20, 2022
Where: Old Port of Montreal (2 de la Commune St W, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 4B2 Located at the King Edward Quay. Please follow signs to the Montreal Science Centre).
How much: $80 in advance for the general public, or $130 for two days ($90 or $140 at the door). $35/$60 for industry/trade people ($40/$70 at the door, if it’s not sold out).
Last tips
Please drink responsibly. It’s completely acceptable (and encouraged) to spit out wine (“cracher” or “recracher” in French). Sure, you might feel awful spitting out a few sips of that $125 bottle, but your liver, head and tastebuds will thank you. You’ll be able to taste and enjoy more later in the salon, and if you’re spending this kind of money to get in, you might want to enjoy more than an hour of tastings before your tongue is so coated and tired that you raise the white flag.
And get a cab home if you’re not taking public transit.
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