Winnipeg: Banville & Jones Wine Co.

Leave it to Winnipeg to be home to the BEST wine store I’ve ever step foot in.  FH had told me about this place, but honestly he didn’t do it justice.  This was a particularly lovely find because I’ve been terribly disappointed in the wine stores in Halifax.  The so-called “high end” stores here have a dismal selection (and I am NOT a wine snob by any stretch…I just know what I like) …we prefer New World and for some reason Halifax seems to stock a lot of Old World.  Needless to say, Banville & Jones Wine Co. was a welcome stop!

 

We were only shopping for a few bottles for the night but I could have roamed around for hours.  They have a beautiful speciality section, all of the wines housed in locked glass cabinets…complete with champagne and sparkling wine display.

The staff were extremely helpful and knowledgeable.  FH couldn’t recall the name of the wine he bought last time, but with a few quick questions and a trip to their cellar they were able to find it for him in one try.  (Tate, if anyone is interested!)

We mainly wandered through the Australian section, where the helpful guy explained to us about the different store selections.  They mark their shelves with three types of tags so customers know whether the wine is a) available at any Manitoba liquor store, b) brought in special by a group of importers that work together, or c) specially imported by B&J only.  These three options make for a wealth of variety and selections.

We of course left with only Auzzie reds (FH is very select on his tastes) but I did have a good chat with the guy about fun BC wines…including the cool story of Blasted Church and the sad story of Silver Sage.  Made me homesick for an Okanagan Wine Tour.

I wish we could have spent more time exploring the different brands I had never heard of and just overall enjoying the store.  Alas, the sun was shining so spending the day outdoors had to take priority.

FYI: The recommended wines we purchased were pretty much as described although FH wasn’t as strongly in love with them as he had hoped.  The Tate has been saved for a later date.  :)