Downtown Wine Merchant?

[Clemenza]

All right, I've asked about eating, now it's time to move on to drinking. A fine bottle of wine is a must for an evening with a lovely lady, but the last few trips I've not been overly impressed with the hotel's selection. Is there a good wine shop in the downtown area?

 

[Man911]

Go to SAQ signature on Court Mont-Royal.
You will find you bottle 50 000$ and more.

 

[Clemenza]

Thanks!

Once again the hobbiest community comes through. Thanks to everyone who took the time to post.

 

[donbusch]

I have found the unpretentious staff at the SAQ in Old Montreal (501 Place'd Armes) to be most helpful in recommending great but affordable wines.

Buying your wine at the wine shops is the best way to go, you get a far better selection, it's relatively easy plus hotels add little or no value to the wine but charge anywhere from 2-4+ times the original price.

 

[Clemenza]

Originally posted by donbusch
hotels add little or no value to the wine but charge anywhere from 2-4+ times the original price.

As Capt. Renault would say: "That is another reason."

 

[Lawless]

Why wouldn't you bring your wine from the States; I have found high quality French wines in the US much cheeper than what we would pay in Montreal; any question at the customs?

 

[Clemenza]

Originally posted by Lawless
Why wouldn't you bring your wine from the States; I have found high quality French wines in the US much cheeper than what we would pay in Montreal; any question at the customs?

It just doesn't strike me as a good idea to try to bring liquor across the border. Perhaps nothing would happen, but I don't think it's worth risking a delay just to save a few dollars.

 

[Legolas]

Originally posted by StripperLover
You are allowed to bring a carton of cigarettes & a bottle of alcohol for your personal use both ways for both countries

SL,

I thought you could only bring BACK liquor to your country when returning from travel. Please confirm if I'm wrong as I can make use of the information.

 

[figeac83]

The Canada Customs site is not terribly user friendly for these questions, but for Canadians returning to Canada, IF you were gone for 2 or more days, the rule follows:

If you meet the age requirements set by the province or territory where you enter Canada, you can include one of the following:

- 1.5 litres of wine;

- 1.14 litres (40 oz.) of liquor; or

- 24 × 355 ml cans/bottles (8.5 litres) of beer or ale.

You can bring in more than the free allowance of alcohol except in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. However, the quantities have to be within the limit the province or territory sets and, in most cases, you have to bring the quantities with you.

If you bring in more than the free allowance, you will have to pay both customs and provincial or territorial assessments. For more information, check with the appropriate provincial or territorial liquor control authority before you leave Canada.

Note: the customs duty for wine entering Quebec is VERY high-it's almost never worth it.

I couldn't find clear rules on the site for visitors, but I'm fairly sure it's the same 2 bottle of wine free if you're staying 2 days (obviously, they can't really confirm personal use vs gift).

 

[Lawless]

For more information, one can visit the CBSA web site at:
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Look at the publication titled:
RC4161 Customs Information for Visitors to Canada.
I believe it confirms the above informations on alcohol.
Site of CCRA is not that friendly when time comes to look for customs info.