Wilco Fine Beverage

03/14/2026

Hey Toronto Wine Lovers!

Join one of nine Masters of Wine in Canada - Louise Wilson Cormier - for a guided wine tasting at Nuna Kitchen & Bar in April.
Discover new wines, taste some of Nuna's fabulous food. Have some fun. Meet some people. All experience levels welcome. 19 years+ only. Limited tickets available. Get yours through link in bio. See you there!

🥂

11/24/2024

We are honoured to have our wines chosen as Shari’s Picks for the month of November!

Shari Mogk-Edwards developed her expertise in the wine industry throughout her 36-year career with the world’s largest single buyer of beverage alcohol, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. As the LCBO’s head buyer and Vice-President, Product, Sales and Merchandising, Shari travelled the globe discovering outstanding wines to share with Ontario wine lovers. Read about Shari’s Picks for November here.

https://www.sharispx.com/sharis-picks-for-november-3/

04/10/2024

Have you tried Asolo Prosecco? Asolo is the smaller of the two premium DOCG regions in Prosecco - known for producing sparkling wines with an elegant, creamy texture. Wilco Fine Beverage is proud to represent the gold medal winning Bedin Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG extra dry - available for a limited time through Vintages at the LCBO. We’re calling this delicious glass of bubbly - the brunch wine of the season – a perfect match for cheesy omelettes, fresh fruit and croissants – although, with warmer weather at our doorstep, this refreshing wine is also a perfect match for lighter fare such as sushi, spring rolls or brie and pear phyllo pastry.

https://www.lcbo.com/en/bedin-asolo-extra-dry-prosecco-superiore-36172

02/29/2024

Thursday March 7 Join Le Savoir-Boire and for a walk around, taste and buy event at Author Jennifer Wilhelm will be there signing her new book "Sharing a Glass"

Tickets at https://winecellar.dymon.ca/en/events/view/1415321961/in-celebration-of-international-women-s-day-wine-tasting

Hope to see you there.

01/13/2024

The organic wines of Zoppi Cristina are made in the heart of Monferrato in Northern Italy’s Piedmont region. The winery’s 30 hectares of land, protected by surrounding woods and framed by walking paths, are divided equally among vines and hazelnut trees. Wildlife, from ladybugs to wild boar, is encouraged on the farm. Cristina and her husband Ezio, take several measures, such as limiting production, reducing mechanical processing, lowering yields through pruning and the use of natural fertilizer to increase the quality of their wine. On our recent visit, Cristina shared that they also use orange extract to protect the vines. Cristina farms organically to take care of the soil. Superior soil produces better fruit, which ultimately makes better wine.

The 2021 Zoppi Cristina’s Grignolino is bottled proof. Underlying its pale garnet robe is an abundance of aroma and flavour. The bouquet is fruity and savoury, scented with notes of strawberry, leather and tea. Fine, firm tannin and bright acidity balance the red berry fruit core, leading to a long, memorable finish. Enjoy this wine over the next 5 years as an earlier drinking alternative to Nebbiolo.

Thank you to Azienda Agricola Zoppi Cristina and Matteo Colla for the wonderful tasting and conversation.

📸 *littleeye

01/06/2024

While in Piedmont last month, we were delighted to visit Emanuela Novello, her husband Giovanni and their son Edoardo at their winery Prediomagno.

In 2015, the family established the winery in Grana Monferrato, a picturesque hour’s drive east of Turin, planting their 25 hectares with Ruchè, Barbera, Grignolino, Pinot Nero, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

The winery is certified for sustainable practice by SQNPI – the Italian National Quality System for Integrated Production. Chemical fertilizers and herbicides are not used in the vineyard. The low-yielding vines are hand-harvested when the grapes reach optimal ripeness, ensuring top-quality fruit for Prediomagno wine.

Ruchè is the region’s flagship variety. This captivating grape would likely have been lost if it weren’t for the efforts of a local priest Don Cauda, who rescued the vine in the 1960s. Today, Ruchè is still very rare, with the entire production less than the equivalent of 3,500 barrels.

We are thrilled to be able to offer the Prediomagno Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato in the Wilco Fine Beverage portfolio. This aromatic red wine truly cannot be compared to any other variety. Its bouquet is perfumed with the scent of rose, cherry, mocha and mint. The palate is equally complex, with an ample red berry fruit foundation kissed with notes of menthol, tea and black pepper. Moderate, well-polished tannins and fresh acidity provide an elegant structure as the wine tapers into a memorable length.

We asked the family for their favourite pairings with their Ruchè. Noting the wine’s impressive versatility, they suggested meat-stuffed ravioli, salumi, fresh cheese or salmon.

Thank you to Emanuela, Giovanni and Edoardo for an unforgettable afternoon. Prediomagno

📸 *littleeye

https://wilcofinebeverage.com/product/ruche-di-castagnole-monferrato-docg-2021/

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12/31/2023

Recently, I had the pleasure of joining restaurateur Kypp Saunders and co-host Dan Sereda on The Industry Podcast.

We talk about my journey to becoming a Master of Wine, how I started Wilco Fine Beverage, and how I select wines for the Wilco portfolio.

Check it out here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/louise-wilson-cormier/id1500357052?i=1000632325484

Kypp and I share a passion for quality wines with a point of difference. Check out his latest selection at Babylon Sisters Wine Bar in Waterloo. He also serves up top-notch cocktails at Sugar Run Bar in Kitchener.

Thanks Kypp Saunders and Dan Sereda!

‎Show The Industry, Ep Louise Wilson Cormier - Oct 23, 2023

12/10/2023

In Northern Italy’s Piedmont region, high atop the hills of Canelli, Franco Penna produces the award-winning wines of Cascina Barisel. Franco maintains the quality of his wines through strict yield management and grape sorting at harvest - no chemical fertilizers or insecticides are used in the vineyard.

At our tasting in the Cascina Barisel cellar this week, Franco demonstrated that top expressions of Moscato d’Asti are age-worthy, gaining compelling complexity over time. The stunning 2017 Cascina Barisel shows layers of Riesling-like petrol character in perfect harmony with its shockingly fresh stone fruit flavours. While drinking the current vintage of Moscato d’Asti is an absolutely delicious decision, I think we are missing the real brilliance of this wine by opening it too soon. If you haven’t experienced Moscato d’Asti with 5+ years of bottle age yet, treat your future self and tuck a bottle away in your cellar today.

Franco is also known for his world-class Barbera. This year, Gambero Rosso honoured the 2020 Cascina Barisel “La Cappelleta” Nizza DOCG for its outstanding quality with a coveted Tri Biccheri (Three Glasses) award. We are thrilled to offer its sister wine, the 2022 Cascina Barisel Barbera d’Asti DOCG, in the Wilco Fine Beverage portfolio. With all the juicy berry fruit and inviting tannin that one would expect from the variety, this classic example delivers fantastic value. We have a few cases left in stock now, an ideal choice for holiday entertaining.

After the tasting, Franco treated us to the perfect pairing – his homemade risotto simmered in three kinds of Cascina Barisel Barbera. A beautiful meal, lovely conversation and outstanding wine. Thank you Cascina Barisél and Matteo Colla for the unforgettable experience.

📸 *littleeye

https://wilcofinebeverage.com/product/barbera-dasti-docg-2022/

12/07/2023

In Italy’s Castagnole Monferrato region, they say - if someone offers you a glass of Ruchè wine, it is because they like you.

This rare red wine grape variety is perfumed with the scent of roses, cinnamon and mint. It is the perfect match for cedar plank salmon, beef stuffed ravioli or charcuterie.

Discover more Wilco Fine Beverage

📸 *littleeye

12/02/2023

This week was a deep dive into the wines of Abruzzo with seminars, tastings and producer visits led by the brilliant Filippo Bartolotta . Thank you to Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo for the opportunity to attend the first class of the Abruzzo Wine Academy, where we discovered the high-quality and aging capacity of and . I was captivated by the sea-kissed, mineral-driven white wines and fell more in love with the bright and juicy light red wines of Cerasuolo. Fantastic wines enhanced by the stunning scenery and delicious regional cuisine. 🍷🥂

11/18/2023

How do organic, biodynamic and conventional vineyard management compare? Master of Wine Phillip Reedman gives us an insightful overview in his article written for the Wilco Fine Beverage Blog. https://wilcofinebeverage.com/2023/08/11/three-approaches-to-vineyard-management-organic-biodynamic-and-conventional/