In September, the beverage alcohol market opened to allow convenience stores to sell wine, beer, and ready-to-drink beverages. While the market adjusts, customers are proving their adaptability by embracing this new normal. This change has been a welcome one for people on the go, offering them the convenience of purchasing their beverage alcohol without making a separate trip to LCBO or during a large grocery run.

There is another sales channel in Ontario that may be news to many people. It is called the LCBO’s Consignment Wine Program. This program allows individuals, restaurants, and businesses to purchase uncommon, often premium wines unavailable on LCBO store shelves. Instead of being part of the regular retail inventory, consignment wines are imported by private wine agents who work directly with wineries to bring in limited quantities, often for more specialized or niche markets.

So, how does this work? 

Authorized wine agents work with wineries globally to source wines for the LCBO’s Consignment Wine Program. They handle the importation, including logistics, LCBO approvals, and compliance with regulations. Customers place orders directly through these agents rather than LCBO stores. The wines are delivered directly to the buyer’s chosen location, home, restaurant, or business.

The LCBO’s Consignment Wine Program focuses on exclusive wines, including rare vintages and specific regional varieties. This program offers a distinct selection of higher-end options, often from small producers. The catch for consumers is there is a one-case minimum per product. Wine Agents are not permitted to break up the cases and sell individual bottles. Although that is not much of an issue at my house, it can be challenging. Luckily, LCBO’s Consignment Wine Program agents are moving towards six-bottle and even three-bottle cases, making purchasing by the case more approachable. As an added benefit, these Wine agents often provide tailored advice, helping customers choose wines that suit their tastes and needs, such as food pairings or cellar storage potential. Overall, the consignment program provides greater variety to Ontario’s wine market, catering to those looking for exclusive, hard to find or unusual options beyond the regular selections at LCBO.

Louise Wilson Cormier, Master of Wine, founded her Ontario-based wine agency, Wilco Fine Beverage, to create new tasting experiences for wine lovers by sharing unique, high-quality wines from around the world through LCBO’s Consignment Wine Program. Her personal wine journey began by enrolling in a wine course while working in a busy wine shop on Vancouver Island. One course led to another, with Louise’s interest in wine and passion for learning leading her to become a certified sommelier in 2006, a Wine and Spirits Education Trust Diploma holder in 2009 and finally, after an additional 10 years of study, a Master of Wine in 2020.

A Master of Wine, or MW, is a beverage industry professional globally recognized for their exceptional wine business expertise. The Institute of Master of Wine is not a school. The only way to become an MW is to pass a rigorous four-day exam held once a year. The exam tests knowledge of wine theory and wine-tasting ability. Once an individual passes the exam, they must write a paper based on their original research. The exam was written first in 1953 in London, England. Since then, only 512 people have acquired the Master of Wine designation. Currently, there are 421 Masters of Wine based in 30 countries worldwide. Based in Beamsville, Louise is one of ten Masters of Wine in Canada and one of four in Ontario.

I met Louise when we both judged the Ontario Wine Awards in May and we talked about her wine agency, called Wilco Fine Beverage. Last week I had the opportunity to taste a selection of wines in her current consignment portfolio. All wines range from $30 to $35 and are not available at LCBO locations. I am excited to share five discoveries with you!

From northern Italy along the shores of Lake Garda, Sguardi di Terra Groppello 2020 is a flavour-packed wine with an expressive bouquet of cherry, spiced plum, and violet. The indigenous Groppello grape is similar in style to many examples of Pinot Noir. I found the wine refreshing, dry, and complex, and it was easy to enjoy with diverse foods such as margherita pizza, stuffed peppers and roast turkey.

Louise Wilson Cormier: It has bright red fruit flavours of wild raspberry and currants, while light tannins and fresh acidity provide structure and balance. It is an ideal wine to serve chilled with seafood stew, steak tartare, or charcuterie. Drink now through 2025.

Ruchè is a distinctive, little-known aromatic grape variety in the hills of Piedmont’s Monferrato region in northern Italy. Ruchè di Castagnole 2021, an organic example from the family farm of Zoppi Cristina, is a jewel with layers upon layers of aroma and flavour. The wine is balanced with a medium body, cedar aromas, and refreshing acidity and will pair well with roast pork, lasagne and grilled mushrooms.

Louise Wilson Cormier: The bouquet has juicy red berries, cinnamon hearts and a kiss of black pepper. On the palate, cherry, cranberry and spice notes are framed by stealthy tannins that build with each sip. A harmoniously balanced wine with a generous depth of flavour and a long finish makes a lovely accompaniment for flavourful dishes such as jambalaya or jerk chicken. Enjoy now through 2027.

Also from Northern Italy, Cascina Barisel Barbera d’Asti 2023 is a lively wine. I found it deep-coloured with tight aromas that exploded with blackberry fruit flavours and lingering, integrated tannins. A perfect wine with burgers, spaghetti with meatballs and grilled sausages.

Louise Wilson Cormier: A textbook example of the variety, the palate offers concentrated flavours of red berry fruit trailing off to a subtle herbal twist on the finish. It is a well-balanced, medium-bodied wine with refreshing acidity and approachable tannins. This versatile wine can pair with a wide range of dishes. Try with pulled pork sliders, eggplant parmesan or garlic mushroom risotto. Capture its fresh fruit-forward appeal now through 2026.

From the French wine region of Savoie, in southeastern France within the French Alps, Domaine Chevalier Bernard Jongieux Gamay 2023 is a stellar example of Gamay. It has expressive aromas of cherry, violet, and plum. The wine is juicy with forward berry aromas and soft tannins. Enjoy with baked salmon, duck breast and roasted vegetables.

Louise Wilson Cormier: The palate is loaded with layers of juicy fruit flavour— raspberry, cranberry and blueberry—kissed by a hint of fresh herb and a touch of black pepper. It is one to try for those who enjoy Cru Beaujolais and is an excellent choice for roast turkey and trimmings or try with creamy mushroom rigatoni. Drinking beautifully through 2026.

Domaine Chevallier Bernard Jongieux Blanc 2023 is a wonderful showcase for Savoie’s unique Jacquère variety also Domaine Chevallier Bernard. True to its location, the wine has refreshing acidity and a lean, crisp finish. Enjoy with shellfish, quiche and salads.

Louise Wilson Cormier: This expressive wine has orange and grapefruit peel, lilies, and beeswax aromas. Its flavours recall the taste of white grapefruit, lime and green apple. The crisp acidity of this wine makes it an ideal partner for creamy dishes. Pair with an asparagus and béchamel galette or a cheese fondue. Drink now through 2026.

Overall, the LCBO’s Consignment Wine Program is designed to provide greater variety to Ontario’s wine market, catering to those looking for exclusive options beyond the regular LCBO selection. Orders are delivered directly, adding convenience. Wine agents, such as Louise Wilson Cormier, provide tailored advice, helping their customers choose wines that suit their tastes, and as the holiday season approaches, gifts. Louise also represents boutique Ontario Wineries, such as Divergence and Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery.

To find other agents in LCBO’s Consignment Wine Program, search consignment wine agents in Ontario.

Happy exploring!

Cheers!

Shari 🥂

I can be reached at sharispx@gmail.com