Fairview Beer & Wine Store

I’m a fan since this place meets all 2 criteria I have: 1) close to the hotel (just a block away from the Holiday Inn) and 2) has screw top wines! I don’t travel with a wine opener, so being able to pick up a bottle that’s a screw top is very convenient. This store was clean and well organized.
The store is small but packs a lot of selection. There is a wine section in the back that offered bottle of reds between $ 10-​$ 20. I wasn’t looking for anything fancy, so the options were right up my alley. I went with a bottle of Cono Sur Bicicleta, a Cabernet Sauvignon (Wine of Chile 2012) for $ 14. It’s medium-​bodied, dry and fruity. You might find it cheaper at LCBO, but not by much. The label reads: A deep plum red with aromas of red fruit, cassis, black plums, and soft spices, together with a fruity, structured palate. Goes well with strong cheese, hearty stews and grilled cuts of beef.

This is a fine neighbourhood spot to stop if you weren’t prepared enough to have beer from the liquor store (cheaper, but warm) chilling in your fridge. They have a big bank of fridges with all the usual suspects ready for your enjoyment. The staff is friendly and they check you through quickly, even if there’s a line up on Friday evening.
However, it’s not a great place to buy wine. The selection is all pretty cheap stuff — and not the cheap stuff that was chosen wisely because they’re diamonds in the rough. Most of the wines here are cheap and taste like it. I’m a girl who’s always shopping for a delicious bottle for under $ 15, so I’ve drank my share of cheap wines. I have my favourites and they aren’t for sale here.
The do accept bottle returns in the back. So if you live near here you can recycle up to 24 bottles in a visit.