Austrian Wines in Canada: A Growing Love Affair
Over the past few years, Austrian wines have been making a significant impact on the Canadian market, captivating both wine enthusiasts and professionals alike. This growing interest is not just a fleeting trend but a testament to the quality and diversity of Austrian wines.
A Taste of Austria in Canada
Canada has become a very important export destination for Austrian wines outside of Europe. This is no small achievement considering the competitive nature of the global wine market. The portfolio of Austrian wineries includes well-known classics such as Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, which have long been favorites among white wine lovers. However, Austria also offers exquisite red wines like Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, and Pinot Noir, as well as innovative orange and natural wines. To learn more about Austrian wines visit:
- Wine Growing Regions
- Austria’s Vintages
- Tips on Food Pairing
- „Austrian Wine in Depth” (Training Manual)
- Austrian Wine Tool Box
Promotion of Austrian Wines
Austrian Wine, in collaboration with ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA, has been instrumental in promoting Austrian wines in Canada. A series of events, including wine tastings and masterclasses in Ontario and Quebec, have played a crucial role in raising awareness – especially within the B2B wine community – of the excellence of Austrian wines over the last few years. All these initiatives helped to establish a stronger presence for Austrian wines in the Canadian market, liquor stores, bottle shops and restaurants.
The good news for all B2B professionals is, that 2025 promises more exciting events in the “True North”, continuing the momentum and expanding the reach of Austrian wines. If you are an agent, sommelier or in the wine business and interested in working with Austrian wines, please connect, and/or reach out to our team: toronto@advantageaustria.org We would love to hear from you and share information about valuable resources, support opportunities, and more!
How to get Austrian Wines in Ontario and Quebec
But how do you “get” Austrian wines in Canada as a consumer? While Quebec boasts an excellent selection at the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) and in various restaurants, it can still be a bit challenging to “find” a broader selection of Austrian wines in Ontario. The good news is, there are already great options available on the market – here some tips on how to “get” to them:
- LCBO: The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) offers a selection of Austrian wines, particularly through their Vintages program and Destination Collection Central Europe. This Destination Collection store with Austrian wines is in Mississauga (Dundas/Mavis) and worth a visit.
- Private Imports: Many Austrian wines are available through consignment (private import) channels. WineAlign's Buyer’s Guide of Austrian Wines in the Ontario Market provides detailed information on how to access these wines.
- Restaurants and Specialty Shops: Many restaurants and specialty wine "bottle shops" in Ontario also carry Austrian wines. It's worth checking with local establishments for their selections. We highly encourage you to ask for Austrian wines at your favorite restaurant! The more we ask for them, the more selection we may get in Ontario.
For more insights and detailed reviews, you can refer to WineAlign's and other articles:
- Appraising Austria: Value? Don’t Call Me Value! and Buyer’s Guide of Austrian Wines in the Ontario Market by John Szabo, MS, with notes from David Lawrason, Sara d’Amato and Michael Godel (Wine Align)
- Austrian Wine Buyer’s Guide: International Heroes & Rising Stars by John Szabo. (Wine Align)
- Why Austria is a Leader in the Natural Wine Movement by Aleks Zecevic (Wine Enthusiast)
- Austrian Wine Archive on Nathalie MacLean
- Quench Magazine on Austrian Wine
Enjoy! Prost and let us know if we missed anything!
