The July 4 2026 LCBO Vintages Release is celebrating Chardonnay. July in Ontario is famous for the Cool Climate Chardonnay extravaganza. You have a chance to sample Chardonnays from around the world in this release. There are also some very high scoring reds.
Good wine doesn't have to be expensive! Use my (free!) recommendations to get the best wine for your money!
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If you try a recommended wine - this is your chance to be a critic! Leave your comment below to let us know how you liked it. If you find another gem you would like people to know about add that too!
Best Rosé Wines Under $20:
PALOOZA CREATION ROSÉ 2025 Languedoc, France Bintages #48979 $15.95 This falls into the 'Cheap and Cheerful ' category. It won't win awards, but it is very well-received by consumers. It is Grenache with Cinsault and Vermentino. Look for 'zippy' raspberry, cherry and peach with citrus peel. Serve with Chilled Cherry Soup. (XD - 2 g/L)
ERADUS SADIE ROSÉ 2025 Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #43353 $19.95 This Pinot Noir Rosé is showing raspberry and red apple with some citrus and floral notes. The palate is slightly textured with good acidity. Enjoy with Smoked Duck Breast Salad. Score - 94 (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, June 2025) (XD - 2 g/L)
TORRE ZAMBRA INCASTRO ROSA 2025 Abruzzo, Italy Vintages #50316 $19.95. This little gem is getting great reviews and scoring low 90s across the board. A 70% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese blend, look for blackberry and plum with herbal and earth tones. Great for grilled vegetables or Eggplant Parmigiana. (XD - 6 g/L)
Best White Wines Under $20:
POÇAS TONGUE TWISTER VINHO VERDE 2025 Douro, Portugal Vintages #51087 $16.95 Another fan favourite. Many people are drawn to the light, liveliness of a Vinho Verde and I, for one, love me a 100% Loureiro. Vintages notes say it opens with 'soaring' citrus with emerging peach and mineral tones. The finish is long and mouth-watering! I will be stocking up on this one for my summer luncheons and dock afternoons. (XD - 3 g/L)
EL GORU CHARDONNAY 2024 Alicante, Spain Vintages #50920 $15.95 I have to say, I have never had a Spanish Chardonnay, but the barrel fermented, pear, vanilla and crème catalane description has me intrigued. It is expressive with good energy and drive. Joaquín Hidalgo of vinous.com gives it a 91 and calls it 'crowdpleasing' with 'intense flavor'. (XD - 3 g/L)
RUSTENBERG WILD FERMENT UNWOODED CHARDONNAY 2024 WO Stellenbosch, South Africa Vintages #48202 $18.95 This gets a 90 from Panel, decanter.com, who call it 'great value for Mâcon fans'. Look for delicate stone fruits and spice. Crisp with a saline finish. Pair with this nutty Chicken Salad. (XD - 3 g/L)
ZACHARIAS ASSYRTIKO 2024 PGI Peloponnese, Greece Vintages #588814 $18.95 If Assyrtiko is considered refreshing during a Greek summer, how can it not be for us? This gets a 90 from Ines Salpico of decanter.com. Her notes indicate it is balanced and elegant, showing orchard fruit, citrus with an herbal edge and 'wet stone freshness throughout'. Calamari all the way here! (XD - 2 g/L)
HÃHÃ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #388363 $19.95 This is an aromatic and highly enjoyable. Look for passionfruit, lemon and lime. It is vibrant and lively. Enjoy with Sheet Pan Salmon with Crispy Rice. Score - 93 Sam Kim,wineorbit.co.nz, (XD - 4 g/L)
Best Red Wines Under $20:
LUIS GURPEGUI 147 ANIVERSARIO TEMPRANILLO 2021 DOCa Rioja, Spain Vintages #37088 $15.95 This complex red has aromas of black currant, plum and juniper berries with cherry, raspberry, eucalyptus, spice and cocoa on the palate. Tannins are powerful, and the finish is lengthy. Plan to enjoy with food, like Sherry Tapas Meatballs. Score - 94 Mike DeSimone of Wine Enthusiast (XD - 3 g/L)
CASA DE CAMBRES RESERVA RED 2020 DOC Douro, Portugal Vintages #470377 $16.95 This is a robust red showing tobacco and toasty notes with pronounced blackberry fruit. Ripe and full, pair with Ribs with Spicy Blackberry Sauce. Best Buy. Score - 91 Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (XD - 5 g/L)
GREEK WINE CELLARS FLOWERS XINOMAVRO 2023 PGI Macedonia, Greece Vintages #49583 $17.95 If you are looking to expand your palate, consider Xinomavro. It is gaining notoriety and prominence with fans of Pinot Noir and Barolo (Nebbiolo). It has similar characteristics - fruit, spice, elegance and well-structured tannins - at a fraction of the price. This one is showing ripe red fruit, leather and generous spices. Enjoy with Montreal Spice Marinated Lamb Chops. (XD - 3 g/L)
If you are still not convinced, consider this quote from Wine Enthusiast -The wine’s energy, complexity, finesse, and aging potential place it alongside some of the world’s most sought-after red wines, including Burgundian Pinot Noir and Piedmontese Nebbiolo, to which it is often—and quite reasonably—compared. Yet it remains far more affordable. Greece, in this sense, is still a true hunting ground for bargains.
CHÂTEAU MAYNE-VIEIL FRONSAC 2019 Bordeaux, France Vintages #14469 $19.95 This is scoring low 90s among respected critics, including John Szabo of winealign and Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast. 2019 was a great vintage for Bordeaux, and when the 2019 came out in 2023, I sampled it and then stocked up. Ripe fruit with layers of texture and taste leads to a juicy finish. Enjoy with marinated Strip Loin Steak. (XD - 3 g/L)
GÉRARD BERTRAND HERITAGE AN 1886 LES ASPRES GRENACHE/MOURVÈDRE/ SYRAH 2022 AOP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Languedoc, France Vintages #413245 $19.95 This 'GSM' blend is scoring low 90s among critics and is a perennial favourite of consumers. Look for plush black cherry, blackberry, along with hints of oak spice, cocoa and nutmeg. Enjoy with Beer Can Stuffed Burgers. (XD - 3 g/L)
GIANNICOLA DI CARLO NOBU 1830 RISERVA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2016 Abruzzo, Italy Vintages #49059 $22.95 Montepulciano is a popular grape in Italy, known for its generous dark fruit, smoky tones and its full body. This one throws in some cloves and black pepper. The aging has been done here for you, but it should hold into the early 2030s, so grab a few if you are thinking ahead to winter stews or Mushroom Lasagne. Score - 95 jamessuckling.com (XD - 8 g/L)
Best Buy Sparkling Wines Under $40
KRONE CUVÉE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT ROSÉ CUVÉE SPARKLING 2023 WO Western Cape, South Africa, traditional method vintages #130047 $22.95 This is an entry-level bubbly from a premium producer. It is a 60/40 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blend that spent 24 months on the lees. Look for rosehip, wild strawberry and toasty notes. Score - 90 Tim Atkin, MW, timatkin.com (D - 9 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines Under $40
VIÑA COBOS FELINO CHARDONNAY 2024 Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #119099 $21.95 This gets a 93 from Joaquín Hidalgo of vinous.com, who describes stewed apple, pear and ginger. 6 months of barrel aging lends some oak spice and flavour intensity. (XD - 2 g/L)
TAPI MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #51116 $21.95 Look for grapefruit, lime and peach in this wine's profile. It is concentrated and intense with zippy acidity and a long, pleasant finish. core - 95 Jane Skilton, MW, therealreview.com (XD - 5 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines Under $40
MERAYO LAS TRES FILAS MENCIA 2020 Bierzo, Spain Vintages #462788 $21.95 This got Best in Show and a Score of 97 from Decanter World Wine Awards, 2023. Mencia is a medium-bodied, fruity wine often with cherry and peppery notes. This one is brimming with ripe fruit and smooth tannins. Enjoy with Pepper Steak. (XD - 2 g/L)
JOSEPH JACÔME BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2023 Beaujolais, France Vintages #49567 Beaujolais is a great summer wine. It is fruity and medium-bodied and can be served lightly chilled. This one has black plum, raspberry and pomegranate fruit with savoury black olive undertones. Best Buy. Score - 91 Reggie Solomon, Wine Enthusiast (XD - 3 g/L).
DAMILANO MARGHE LANGHE NEBBIOLO 2023
Langhe, Italy Vintages #576793 $22.95
If you are a Barolo fan, look to Langhe for reasonably priced 100% Nebbiolo alternatives. It took me a long time to get on the Nebbiolo bandwagon, because I always made the mistake of drinking them too early, which promises infamously harsh tannins. Properly aged, and you get a Pinot Noir-type experience with a silky palate, tamed tannins and hallmark spices. This one is showing red currant, pomegranate, along with some peppery and floral notes. Smooth, silky with polished tannins and a commendable finish. Plan to serve with a meal like Beef in Red Wine or charcuterie. Score - 90 (Aldo Fiordelli, jamessuckling.com, May 5, 2025) (XD - 3 g/L)
RISKY BUSINESS MARGARET RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 Margaret River, Western Australia, Vintages #50115 $25.95 This is a great price for a Margaret River Cab Sauv. Look for blackcurrant, coffee, aniseed, tobacco and sage. Hints of chocolate and graphite add complexity. Focused with fine tannins, an impressive finish completes the experience. Drink now or hold through 2035. (XD - 0 g/L)Score - 93 Ken Gargett, winepilot.com
LOVEBLOCK PINOT NOIR 2022 Central Otago, South Island NZ Vintges #313924 $29.95 If you are in the mood for a classic Pinot Noir, this one getsa 94 from Christina Pickard of Wine Enthusiast. Look for cherry/strawberry fruit with hints of herbs and smoked meat. The palate is silky with good tension and fine tannins. Drink now through early 2030s. Pair with Venetian Duck Ragu. (XD - 2 g/L)
LORNANO LE BANDITE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 Tuscany, Italy Vintages #230672 $29.95 This gets a 94 from the Decanter panel. Look for dark fruit, fresh cherry and raspberry and sweet spice with hints of dried herbs and flowers. Good structure and a lengthy finish. This would be perfect with Tuscan Ribs. (XD - 4 g/L)
CHÂTEAU DE ROCHEMORIN PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2022
Vintages #48823 $39.95
AOC Bordeaux, France
A 65/23/9 Merlot, Cab Sauve and Petit Verdo blend from the heart of Bordeaux. Look for generous ripe black fruit with floral and spice undertones. HIghly approachable with great balance and charm. Treat yourself! (XD - 3 g/L)
Score - 97 (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2025)
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FAQs
What Are LCBO Vintages Releases?
Twice a month, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) releases a selection of special wines they have chosen from around the world. They are not part of the regular stock that is replenished regularly. So if you see something that is good value, you need to order it or pick it up while you can.
I am WSET 3 Certified, and I use my experience as an LCBO-approved media taster to highlight good value wines. I also have the opportunity to taste wines from all over the world as showcased in industry Master Classes and wine tastings. See my About page for more details on my experience.
The Best Buy wines I recommend tend to be wines that score 90 or above and are in the $20-$30 ish range. I research the wines to see which are scoring consistently in the 90 + range. You can expect these wines to represent the characteristics of their varietal and region well; display some complexity, depth and length. I suggest food pairings for many of the recommendations because... that is what it's all about here at The Wine Lover's 
Kitchen.
Wines I call 'cheap and cheerful' wines are wines < $20 that are hovering around the high 80s to 90-point mark. They are not going to win gold medals in competition, but they should be a solid choice for weeknight sipping or dock or deck sitting. They also make for a good value choice if you are serving a crowd and your lively guests are too busy chatting to discuss the depth and length of their wine!
Premium Wine recommendations are edging up on my $40 limit. They may be 'entry' level wines of prestigious regions or producers. Often cellar-worthy and always wines that you want to pay attention to when you serve them to ensure you appreciate their complexities!
The $40 is a rather arbitrary level, but if you are spending more than $40 routinely on a bottle of wine, then you are probably a wine enthusiast doing your own research.
Decanter World Wine Awards taste and score wines according to their price bracket. So a 95 Score for a $20 bottle of wine means it is outstanding among wines 'in that price range'. Decanter scores from an individual or a panel are scored against the 'Gold standard' for that varietal.
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