As a travel and wine writer who has spent a lot of time in Montreal’s wine scene over the last seven years, I’m excited to share my list of the best places to visit for wine in 2024. Read below about “Where to Drink Wine in Montreal- Top Spots to Visit in 2024”.
Montreal has become an undiscovered wine lover’s dream thanks to its lively food scene and growing respect for good wines. This city has a lot of fun and interesting wine-related things to do, from cozy wine bars to urban farms to restaurants with amazing cellars.
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Where to Drink Wine in Montreal- Top Spots to Visit in 2024
When you plan your trips for 2024, don’t forget to include stops at these places where you can enjoy great wines that were specially picked to go with Quebec’s unique food.
Pullman Wine Bar
Tucked away on a trendy stretch of Saint Denis Street, Pullman Wine Bar is my top pick for experiencing Montreal’s extensive range of local and imported wines. With over 140 wines available by the glass or carafe and expertise that comes from being named one of Canada’s best wine bars three years in a row, Pullman excels at guiding diners through flights tailored to their personal tastes.
The 30-page wine list can be intimidating, but servers are happy to provide spot-on recommendations from the rotating selection. I’m still dreaming about the biodynamic Cabernet Franc from Niagara’s Pearl Morissette that my server suggested on my last visit. It balanced beautifully with my duck confit, and I can’t wait to return to discover more wine gems on Pullman’s list.
See: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/213435524/pullman-bar-a-vin/
Bord’Elle
For a cozy neighborhood vibe and natural wine bar experience, Bord’Elle in the Mile End area is a must-visit. Focusing exclusively on organic, biodynamic and natural wines with minimal intervention, Bord’Elle’s wine director Pascal Lépine Bergia is renowned for offering hard-to-find bottles from small producers.
During my various visits to this 18-seat bar over the years, I’ve loved exploring Orange wines from Georgia, experiencing the saltiness of Ampeleia’s Unlitro from Italy, and comparing natural Cabernet Francs from Quebec and France. Bord’Elle provides tasting notes and is happy to offer guidance to help guests navigate the esoteric wine list. Small sharing plates perfectly balance the wines’ complexity.
Le Vin Papillon
Since opening in 2010, Le Vin Papillon has led the way in making natural wines more accessible in Montreal. Co-owners David Beaudoin and Vanya Filipovic consistently stock more than 25 natural wines by the glass and over 400 labels in their shop next door.
Centered around a gorgeous bar crafted from a 230 year-old oak tree, the laidback atmosphere encourages experimentation from the well-curated list. I often stop in just to taste a few ounces of something new without committing to a whole bottle. Servers are eager to provide tasting notes and make suggestions if you tell them your flavor preferences. It’s an ideal spot for expanding your wine horizons without breaking the bank.
Les Caves St. Sulpice
Attached to the St. Sulpice Hotel in Old Montreal, Les Caves St. Sulpice wows guests with its extensive cellar holding over 17,000 bottles. Diners can choose from 800 labels to pair with Chef Yannick Ouellet’s gourmet French fare.
As a wine writer, I was thrilled when the sommelier gave me a special tour of the cellar on my latest visit to explore its treasures from legendary French regions like Bordeaux and Burgundy. Standouts I’ve enjoyed recently include a lush 2017 Mercurey Premier Cru from Burgundy and a 2010 Château Canon La Gaffelière Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé showcasing silky Merlot-based bliss.
With bottles ranging from $65 to $1200, Les Caves St. Sulpice offers special occasion splurges along with excellent values from up-and-coming regions. The sommelier team makes wine selection an unforgettable yet unintimidating part of the dining experience.
Vinvinvin
Specializing in natural wines, this urban winery in Little Italy also has a full-service restaurant attached. Owners Antonin Mousseau-Rivard and Micheline Lévesque Mousseau are pioneers who have been making wine locally since 1999 from grapes sourced just outside the city.
I love sampling Antonin’s creations straight from the barrel during my visits to Vinvinvin. His minimal intervention techniques result in vibrant, aromatic wines that showcase Quebec’s distinctive terroir. Don’t miss their sparkling wines made using the traditional method. Pairing them with Vinvinvin’s locally sourced, seasonal dishes is my idea of wine nirvana.
Burgundy Lion
Named after the Burgundy region of France renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, this bar on Notre-Dame Street West immerses guests in old world charm. Owner and sommelier Jesse Grasso assembled the list of nearly 200 French wines focused specifically on small-production biodynamic and natural labels that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere in Montreal.
With moody lighting and vintage décor, Burgundy Lion provides an intimate atmosphere for discovering these unique wines. On each visit over the past three years, Jesse has guided me through exceptional pours I would never have encountered on my own. His passion for connecting patrons with great French wines makes for an especially memorable evening.
Le Rouge Gorge
Specializing in wines from the Rhone Valley, Le Rouge Gorge in Old Montreal provides a formidable list of over 120 labels for fans of Grenache, Syrah and other grapes from this distinctive French wine region. Owner and sommelier Émile Grenon-Émiroglou stocks sought-after names alongside hidden gems from tiny producers in the Northern and Southern Rhone.
Over dinner on my last visit, I was enthralled with Émile’s presentation as he guided me through a flight showcasing various Rhone AOCs. His storytelling brought each wine’s unique terroir alive in the glass. The food from Chef David Ferguson astutely balances the weight and spice of these full-bodied red wines.
Taverne Gaspar
This Spanish tapas restaurant and wine bar in the Plateau neighborhood instantly transports visitors across the Atlantic with its rustic décor, Iberian small plates and all-Spanish wine list. Sommelier and co-owner Sébastien Breton rotates over 120 labels with a focus on natural, organic and biodynamic producers that perfectly complement Chef Lisa McConnell’s menu of authentic tapas.
Conclusion
I’ve loved exploring off-the-beaten-path regions of Spain through Sebastien’s unique selections. On my birthday last year, I was delighted when he helped me arrange a special tasting of Sherry from the legendary Bodegas Tradición in Jerez de la Frontera. The rare 30-year-old Palo Cortado VORS was a revelation, lingering sublimely on my palate for hours.
So if your travels take you through this fabulous city in 2024, be sure to visit these exceptional spots for wine discoveries to remember. I hope you like reading “Where to Drink Wine in Montreal- Top Spots to Visit in 2024”.
Catherine Medici Seniedo is a Registered Nurse (Phil, US) and a Certified WSET Level 2 Wines & Spirits specialist. As a General Manager and a proud mother of three, Catherine combines her professional expertise with her passion for wine. Follow her on Instagram at @cath_medici_seniedo for insights into wine, lifestyle, and her family life.
