The next time you want to go for drinks with some friends, consider this worthy alternative. Several wine and liquor stores in the city hold regular tasting events, often revolving around a specific theme, liquor or pairing. Most places are available for private tasting events are well. Whether you want to learn the basics of wine, sample different whiskeys or find out what tastes good with chocolate, these stores pack interesting information into a fun, alcohol-fuelled session.
Bin 905
Tasting events at this Mission wine store are held at a large wooden table inside the retail space, and can accommodate eight to 13 people. Different events feature wine, beer or spirits, though there are no public beer tastings scheduled for this season. Sessions vary from themed ones, such as focusing on specific regions around the world, to food and drink pairings. Check the website for the event schedule and purchase tickets in-store or over the phone.
Check out some upcoming events:
Sensing the Superhero, $40, October 26, 2017 at 7 p.m.
Wines to Chocolate With!, $50, November 2, 2017 at 7 p.m.
Vegan & VIno, Nibbles & Tipples, $45, November 23, 2017 at 7 p.m.
2311 4 St. S.W., 403-261-1600, bin905.com
Bricks Wine Company
This small wine shop is a new addition to Inglewood. It always has a bottle open and the staff specializes in knowing what wine to pair with what food, whether it is Chinese takeout or prime rib. It carries wine and spirits from around the world and has a selection of beer as well. It’s tasting schedule is online.
Check out some upcoming events:
Winter Warmer Beer Tasting, $35, November 9, 2017, 6:30 p.m.
ABC…Another Bottle of Chardonnay, $50, November 23, 2017, 6:30 p.m.
101, 902 9 Ave. S.E., 587-535-9463, brickswine.ca
The Cellar Wine Store
Wine, scotch, beer – they all get their turn in the limelight at different tasting events at The Cellar. Sit down tastings, which take place at harvest tables in the store’s dedicated tasting room, can accommodate between 10 to 30 people. The store can also host larger tastings in the store or on the roof of the building, weather permitting. Purchase tickets in-store or over the phone.
Check out some upcoming events:
Port Cheese and Chocolate, December 1, 2017 at 7 p.m.
Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles, December 12, 2017 at 7 p.m.
137 8 Ave. S.W., 403-503-0730, cellarwinestore.com
Calgary Co-op Wines Spirits Beers
Co-op Wine Spirits and Beers holds several tasting events for wine, cocktails and/or spirits a month at one of its five tasting centres in Beddington, Crowfoot, Midtown, Oakridge and Shawnessy. The tastings take advantage of snacks from Co-op’s nearby grocery stores and the calendar also includes some dinner events. The event calendar is online and tickets can be purchases in-store, online or over the phone.
Check out some upcoming events:
Wizards of Oz, $35, November 10, 2017 at 7 p.m. (Shawnessy)
Desserts & Wine, $45, November 17, 2017 at 7 p.m. (Crowfoot)
Holiday Cocktails, $35, December 9, 2017 at 7 p.m. (Beddington)
Various locations, coopwinespiritsbeer.com
Craft Cellars
Take a seat at Craft Cellars’ 24-foot-long wooden and marble tasting bar, which can fit around 24 people, and prepare to experience the wonders of wine, spirits, scotch or beer. Each event has snacks, and the themes vary. Purchase tickets in-store, online or over the phone.
Check out some upcoming events:
An Evening of Taittinger Premium Vintage Champagnes, $40, October 21, 2017 at 6 p.m.
1345 32 Ave. N.E., 403-277-1868, craftcellars.ca
J. Webb Wine Merchant
Tasting events for wine, beer and/or spirits are held at all three of this store’s locations. Depending on the event, it can accommodate smaller groups of around 12 up to larger groups of 150 people. Check the website for the event schedule and purchase tickets in-store or over the phone.
Check out some upcoming events:
Drink Like a Peasant! Raclette Edition, $59, October 27, 2017 ayt 6 p.m. (Calgary Farmers’ Market)
Southern Italy, $45, November 15, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. p.m. (Glenmore Landing)
Farmer Fizz Champagne and Sparkling Wine Tasting, $75, November 25, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. (Calgary Farmers’ Market)
Various locations, jwebb.net
Kensington Wine Market
Tasting events at Kensington Wine Market mostly feature wine or whiskey, with the occasional beer or other spirit session thrown in. The store holds several events a week, which can be themed around a specific liquor, region, food and drink pairings and more. Seated tastings in their tasting room can accommodate 18 to 20 people, while standing events can hold up to around 30. Larger events can also be held within the store area. Purchase tickets in-store, over the phone or online.
Check out some upcoming events:
Autumn Ales, $20, November 10, 2017 at 7 p.m.
Masters of Malt, November 23, 2017 at 7 p.m.
1257 Kensington Rd. N.W., 403-283-8000, kensingtonwinemarket.com
Metrovino
Tasting events at Metrovino mainly focus on wine, with a few exceptions. You’ll find sessions themed around anything from the region, style, specific grape and more. The store can host anywhere from six to 20 people at a seated table tasting, or up to around 50 in a standing, cocktail party style event. It also occasionally holds pairing or food-related events at the Cookbook Co. Cooks space next door. Check the website for the event schedule and purchase tickets in-store, over the phone or online.
Check out some upcoming events:
Beaujo-rage, $75, October 26, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
Better with Age, $80, November 16 at 6:30 p.m.
722 11 Ave. S.W., 403-205-3356, metrovino.com
Vine Arts Wine & Spirits
Set up at a 14-person tasting table right in the front window of its Victoria Park location, Vine Arts’ tasting events can feature wine, beer, scotch, whiskey, gin and other spirits. The store sometimes pairs up with other local food businesses, such as Ollia Macarons & Tea or Janice Beaton Fine Cheese, for pairing events. Check the website for the event schedule and purchase tickets in-store, over the phone or online (but online is best).
Check out some upcoming events:
Junk & Juice Pairings, $50, October 21, 2017 at 6 p.m.
Whiskies from the East – Japan, India and Taiwan!, October 28, 2017 at 6 p.m.
1310 1 St. S.W., 403-290-0700, vinearts.ca
Vine Styles
Vine Styles’ tasting events are generally held in their event room at their Kensington location. With room for a maximum of 12 to 14 people, the themed events feature a range of wine, beer and/or spirits at a table at the back of store. Check the website for the event schedule and purchase tickets in-store, over the phone or online.
Check out some upcoming events:
Wine & Halloween Candy Pairings, $45, October 26 at 6 p.m.
Gin 101, $50, November 4, 2017 at 2 p.m.
Various locations, vinestyles.ca
Willow Park Wine & Spirits
With tasting events for wine, beer and spirits, Willow Park Wine & Spirits gives you the option of signing up for more education tastings or fun themed ones. The store has space for a range of different group sizes – a downstairs warehouse with long tables that hold 80 to 100 people, a mezzanine above the main floor that seats 30 to 40 at long tables, the board room, which seats 10 to 15 at a table, and a smaller tasting room on the main floor. Check the website for the event schedule and purchase tickets in-store, over the phone or online.
Check out some upcoming events:
Whisky & Chocolate, $45, October 25, 2017 at 7 p.m.
Shaken & Stirred – Classic Cocktails, $35, November 16, 2017 at 7 p.m.
Holiday Cheer & Christmas Movie Pairings, $25, December 5, 2017 at 7 p.m.
10801 Bonaventure Dr. S.E., 403-296-1640, willowpark.net
Wine and Beyond
This 20,000-square-foot store is part of a chain that began in Edmonton. It has thousands of wines and spirits to choose from and one of the largest selections of beer in Canada. The new Sage Hill store also has a tasting room where it regularly hosts events that range from beginner tastings to master classes. Book classes in store or online.
Check out some upcoming events:
Wild Rose Brewmaster’s DInner, $28, October 26, 2017 at 7 p.m.
Riedel Sensory Workshop, $45, November 9, 2017 at 7 p.m.
120, 55 Sage Hill Plaza N.W., 587-535-1781, wineandbeyond.ca