The Nov 7 LCBO Vintages Release has a Sauvignon Blanc scoring mid-90s for < $20. At the end of our price range, check out the Super Tuscan Lucente- a truly exquisite wine for $32.95. Also take a look at Ontario's new Fracette protected category!
Good wine doesn't have to be expensive! Use my (free!) recommendations to get the best wine for your money!
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Introducing: Fracette
While wine consumption worldwide is down slightly, the Sparkling wine category is in growth mode, perhaps due to the popularity of Prosecco. Ontario is getting into the game, having just launched its own protected Sparkling Wine Category called 'Fracette'. While the base wine for the Sparkling must be from vinifera grape varieties, such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, the distinction comes from the fact that Ice Wine must be used as dosage for the second fermentation. The finished wine cannot contain more than 15 grams per litre of residual sweetness, equivalent to the 'extra dry' category for Champagne or Prosecco.
The first six to hit the market are all Charmat method but the traditional bottle fermentation is also allowed. Check out the current Fracette offerings at the LCBO, ranging from $18.95 - $34.95 and are regular list.
Treat yourself or someone on your Christmas list with a new experience!
Best Sparkling Wines Under $20:
LAVÌ BLANC DE NOIR NERELLO MASCALESE BRUT SPARKLING Sicily, Italy Vintages # 52446 $19.95 This white Sparkling (from a red grape) is scoring 90 consistently among critics. Look for white floral notes with honeysuckle, peach and hints of honey. A mineral finish adds enjoyment. Pair with Balsamic Pear Tartlets or Salt Rubbed Roast Chicken. (XD - 0 g/L)
Best White Wines Under $20:
GRAHAM NORTON SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 New Zealand Vintages #60284 $19.95 This is scoring mid-90s among respected critics and may well be the Best Value winner of the release. Graham Norton, in partnership with Invivo, has created an instantly appealing wine here with passionfruit and lime aromas. The palate is zesty and vibrant with generous fruit and herbal notes. Highly enjoyable. Score - 94 (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz) (XD - 6 g/L)
BARONE FINI PINOT GRIGIO 2025 DOC Valdadige, Italy Vintages #50994 $19.95 Centuries of experience go into Barone Fini wines. This one is fresh and crisp with melon and apple tones and a well-defined mineral undercurrent. Pair with Quick Pickled Shrimp. (XD - 0 g/L)
Best Red Wines Under $20:
TOMMASI POGGIO AL TUFO TOSCANA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 IGT Tuscany, Italy Vintages #203927 $19.95 Scores of 92 across the board for this one! Look for a generous black currant profile with hints of iron, tobacco and bell pepper. It is taut and energetic through the finish. Enjoy wth Ribs with Spicy Blackberry Sauce. Score - 92 (Bruce Sanderson, winespectator.com) (D - 9 g/L)
Best Buy Sparkling Wines Under $40
ASTORIA FANÒ ASOLO PROSECCO SUPERIORE DOCG, Veneto, Italy Vintages #52454 $21.95 Note the 'Superiore' reference - meaning it comes from a roughly 9,000-hectare area designated as DOCG ( Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), a step up in quality from the 25,000-hectare Prosecco DOC. This is scoring 90 among critics. The bottle is beautiful inside and out, apparently- a nod to the love of Venetian glass perhaps? Look for an elegant, fruity palate with dried floral tones. It is delicious and well-balanced. Perfect for gifting or sipping! (XD - 0 g/L)
KEW TRADITION SPARKLING 2021 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario Vintages #491092 $32.95 Traditional method. Kew is always a reliable bet for Sparklings. Look for toasty pastry notes with lemon and crisp apple flavours. The palate is refreshing with bright acidity and a long finish. Pair with Brandied Chicken Pot Pie. Score - 91 (Megha Jandhyala, S.J.D., winealign.com) (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines Under $40
HIDDEN BENCH ROSOMEL VINEYARD FUMÉ BLANC 2025
VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, ON, Canada
Vintages #68825 $29.95
This oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc is a nod to the oaked SBs of Bordeaux and is being well-received among critics and consumers. Look for gooseberry, tangerine, pear, tropical fruit, savoury herbs, and a flinty mineral quality. Pair with Creamy Seafood Pasta. (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines Under $40
MARCHESI DI BAROLO MARAIA BARBERA DEL MONFERRATO 2022, Piedmont, Italy Vintages #748277 $20.95 This is scoring 92 consistently. Barbera is a nice medium-weight wine that is perfect for any Italian meal or appetizer. Look for juicy plum and bright cherry notes here with gentle tannins. Enjoy with Spaghetti and Meatballs.
Best Buy. [Drink through 2028+.] Score - 91 (Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast) (XD - 3 g/L)
BRIGALDARA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE 2024, Veneto, Italy Vintages #16090 $22.95 91 The Ripasso method adds a bit of weight and complexity to the palate. This one is showing aromas of dried flowers and black pepper. The acidity is crisp, and the tannins are soft and ripe, all leading to a savoury finish. Enjoy with Dirty Roma Pasta. Score - 92 (Aldo Fiordelli, jamessuckling.com) (XD - 4 g/L)
SQUEALING PIG PINOT NOIR 2023 Central Otago, South Island, NZ Vintages # 427211 $24.95 This will have wide appeal with its redcurrant and five spice profile. The palate is gentle with juicy acidity and very light tannins. A great match for French Rabbit in Mustard Sauce. Drink date: 2026-2030. Score - 93 (nataliemaclean.com) (XD - 3 g/L)
LA VITE LUCENTE 2023
Tuscany, Italy
Vintages #747030 $32.95
This is the second wine, after the famous Luce brand that easily runs in the 3-4 digit price range. It is showing its pedigree with mid 90 scores across the board. It is a beautiful, medium-bodied, silky pour with black cherry, nutty and savoury notes.
Treat yourself to this 60% Merlot/40% Sangiovese blend. Drink or hold [into mid-2030s]. (XD - 3 g/L)
Score - 95 (jamessuckling.com)
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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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