Shopping for wine? Head down to your local caviste.

Find out about the alternative to buying wine in Montreal at the SAQ with this short introduction to local cavistes.

Daniel Bromberg

11 juillet 2023- Read time: 5 min

A typical spread at Vino Rama on Beaubien Est

Most of you have been to the SAQ once or twice. Fine, maybe three times.

For most of us, the SAQ—otherwise known as the Société des alcools du Québec—has existed as the province's alcohol monopoly for as long as we can remember. (For historical context, visit the SAQ's official chronology or this epic compilation of images and other information put together by the McCord Stewart Museum for the agency's 100th anniversary.)

But did you know it's not the only place you can buy privately imported wine in Quebec? Well, in case you haven't had the chance to discover one of these shops, we're happy to inform you that they have a pretty little name that goes by caviste.

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