5 restaurants that serve wine on tap in Toronto

The words "wine on tap" immediately conjure for me an image of Dionysian abandon, crowds of people greedily gulping away, clanking glasses, and spilling all over themselves before returning to the well — in other words, a snippet of paradise. Disappointingly, real life seldom matches my booze-inspired imagination. On the plus side, however, you actually can get wine on tap in Toronto these days. It's a relatively recent trend (thanks Gusto 101), but one that's picked up enough steam that it's worth rounding up which restaurants are getting in on the fun.

In addition to the fact that it's a novel way to serve/sell wine (at least for now), wine stored in pressurized kegs is protected from oxidization far better than it would be in an open bottle sitting on the bar for days. You can thank the nitrogen. It's also a hell of a lot cheaper than investing in an Enomatic if you're a restaurant owner. And, hey, no bottles ain't a bad thing for production costs or the environment. Everybody wins. Let's drink!

Here's where to get wine on Tap in Toronto.

Gusto 101
Gusto offers its house-blended wine for a buck an ounce. That's a clever marketing ploy but also a great deal when compared to by-the-glass pricing around the city. It also captures the spirit of what draught wine should be: cheap and easy drinking.

Rock Lobster Co.
You can also indulge in the buck an ounce deal at Rock Lobster (though they also serve a more refined option for $2 an ounce), whose wine comes courtesy of Vineland Estates. The Riesling and Cabernet Franc won't wine an awards, but that's really not the point now is it? Drink up.

One Restaurant
Mark McEwan's Yorkville restaurant has gotten in on the game, but predictably charges more for their draught offerings. In addition to the same two Vineland offerings available at Rock Lobster ($10 for a six ounce glass), they also serve a Verdelho and a Cabernet from Washington State ($12 and $14, respectively).

Queen Margherita Pizza (785 Annette St)
That link above will take you to the Leslieville location, but it's the newest Queen Margherita that's doing the draught wine thing, and you can expect the still-to-come Dundas West location to get in on it too. There are a few Norman Hardie offerings, but it's the prosecco that'll make you feel like you're in Italy.

Globe Bistro
Globe likes to keep things local, so why go too far when looking for a novel wine to sell? Dubbed by its owner "the only true sparkling wine on tap," Contraband is made at Featherstone Winery (great place), and has sights on expanding into other restaurants around the city and beyond.

Photo from Gusto 101's Facebook page