5 best wine bars in Calgary to get your sip on

By Milena Petrovic

The word ‘wine’ is actually an acronym for ‘What I Need Everyday’. For you fermented grape lovers who believe wine pairs perfectly with every day of the week, leave your cars and cares behind and head out to one of these spots loaded with long stem glasses.

Here are 5 of the best wine bars in Calgary.

See also

• 7 speciality wine stores to check out in Calgary
• How to pair wine with dessert: Pro tips for every kind of sweet tooth
• 11 must-try pizza places in Calgary
• 9 of Canada's "Most Romantic Restaurants" are in Calgary

Mabou Cheese + Wine

A post shared by Mabou Cheese+Bar (@maboucalgary) on Nov 10, 2016 at 4:14pm PST

If red, red wine makes you feels so fine you’ve got to sip and dine at Mabou’s. Owned by the clever cheesemonger, Janice Beaton, this place offers a pairings menu where your glass(es) of red, white, sparkling or rosé are served with the perfect cheesy match.

Address: 1006 17 Avenue
Instagram: @maboucalgary

Editor’s Note: Mabou Cheese + Wine closed in April 2017. 

Lounge XVIII

A post shared by Lounge XVIII (@loungeeighteen) on Dec 30, 2016 at 4:09pm PST

This Prohibition era themed lounge named after United States’ 18^th amendment (that stated selling alcohol was forbidden) raises a glass to the past serving up sinfully lip-smacking cocktails and wines. Their mulled wines are a must-try (and equally a must-order again item). Sip on a glass of the dolled up pinot gris spiced with clove, anise, ginger, all spice, rosemary and amped up with lemon, orange and honey.

Address: 1005 17 Avenue SW
Instagram: @loungeeighteen

Divino Wine & Cheese Bistro

A post shared by Divino Calgary (@divino_bistro) on Jan 21, 2017 at 2:07pm PST

Divino has such an extensive list of wines that it could probably fill all of the empty glasses in Calgary with a different variety. Their thoughtful selections can take your palate on a trip that you’ll wish was a one-way with no return.

Address: 113 8 Avenue SW
Instagram: @divino_bistro

Winebar Kensington

A post shared by Winebar Kensington (@winebarkensi) on Aug 31, 2015 at 12:11pm PDT

Grab a seat in this cozy spot where you can rosé all day or mix it up and try out the moscatos, merlots or malbecs. Also in the house are a party of pinots (including pinot meuniers, pinot blanc, pinot gris, pinot noir) and the wine list—like the beats you’ll have going on in your head—go on. Creating your own charcuterie board with your vino is highly recommended.

Address: 1131 Kensington Road NW
Instagram: @winebarkensi

Pigeonhole

A post shared by Pigeonhole Restaurant (@pigeonholeyyc) on Oct 19, 2016 at 2:13pm PDT

You’ll taste plenty of lively and clean notes from their thought-out selection of organic and natural wines (made without chemicals with little technological intervention made during grape growing) coming from Italy, France, Slovenia, Spain, U.S. and Chile. This Parisian style bar marries fine wines and mouthwatering gourmet snacks like lamb tartare and beef shabu-shabu that’ll have you saying, “oui, oui!”

Address: 306 17 Avenue SW
Instagram: @pigeonholeyyc