The April 11 2026 LCBO Vintages Release will please Sauvignon Blanc fans. There are also some highly recommended red blends.
Good wine doesn't have to be expensive! Use my recommendations to get the best wine for your money - and they're free!
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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:
LYV ROSÉ Languedoc, France Vintages #32422 $19.95 This gets a 91 from Natalie Maclean, who describes strawberry and cherry aromas with hints of mineral and herb. The palate is crisp and well-balanced with berry notes. Kick off Rosé season with this Best Value wine and Strawberry Cream Cheese Bites. (XD - 5 g/L)
Best White Wines Under $20:
CHÂTEAU ROQUEFORT LES ROCHES BLANCHES SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 AOC Bordeaux, France Vintages #35860 $15.95 This is scoring 90-95 for the 2024 vintage. I would expect this to be rounder than Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire and more restrained than the racy NZ examples. Look for grapefruit, fennel and lime over some stony minerality. Refreshing, enjoy with Herb Crusted Salmon. Score - 90 (Jacobo Garcia-Andrade Llamas, jamessuckling.com, Nov. 28, 2025) (XD - 2 g/L)
MAISON COUILLAUD RÉSERVE DU CHIRON MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE SUR LIE 2024 Loire, France Vintages #413757 $16.95 I will be stocking up on this one for summer lunches of Egg Salad Sandwich Cake! An elegant 100% Melon de Bourgogne, look for apricot and melon, texture from the lees and vibrant acidity. Score - Gold (Concours Mondial des Féminalise Paris, 2025) (XD - 3 g/L)
TIKI SINGLE VINEYARD NORTH CANTERBURY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 North Canterbury, South Island, NZ Vintages #19767 This is an appealing SB with melon, apple and lime aromas. The palate is juicy with intense fruit, a saline texture, and well-managed acidity. Pair with Creamy Artichoke Asiago Dip. Score - 93 (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, Oct. 2025) (XD - 2 g/L)
HÃHÃ HAWKE'S BAY CHARDONNAY 2024 Hawke's Bay, North Island, NZ Vintages #10020 $19.95 This is scoring low 90s across the board. This has had the full treatment: malolactic fermentation, ageing on the lees and in French oak. The nose is showing stone fruit with apple and citrus. The palate is rich and creamy with good weight. Overall, a very appealing Chardonnay. Enjoy with Copycat Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad. Drink by: 2025-2030. Score - 93 (Ray Jordan, winepilot.com, July 2025)
(XD - 2 g/L)
Best Red Wines Under $20:
COUTADA VELHA SIGNATURE RED 2022 Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal Vintages #11152 $14.85 This is scoring low 90s among critics and is well-received by the public. All recognize it is an excellent value. Look for dark cherry and plum notes with dark berries, anise, leather and tobacco notes. Plan to enjoy with Double Bourbon Bacon Burgers. Best Buy. Score - 93 (Edward Rasiulis, twilightwines.com, March 16, 2024)
(XD - 5 g/L)
BLEASDALE BROAD-SIDE SHIRAZ/CABERNET SAUVIGNON/MALBEC 2023
Langhorne Creek, South Australia
Vintages #632091 $19.95
Several respected critics have given this a score of 92. A 50% shiraz, 29% cabernet sauvignon and 21% malbec blend, look for generous black cherries, plum and black fruit. The palate is juicy and spicy with textural tannins and bright acidity. Special Value. (XD - 2 g/L)
Score - 92 (Jane Faulkner, winecompanion.com.au, Aug. 12, 2025)
CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES 2022
119354 $19.95 Midi, France This 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 10% Carignan blend gets a 95 from Decanter World Wine Awards, 2025, who note 'intoxicating' black olive and balsamic notes under dark cherry fruit. Bold, with sturdy tannins and chalky texture. Plan to enjoy with Beef Pot Roast. (XD - 3 g/L)
LE GRAVILLAS SÉGURET CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2022 Rhone, France Vitages #309260 $19.95 This is scoring consistently in the low 90s. This Grenache-based blend has good structure and lavender notes on the nose. The palate is showing concentrated red fruit. Smooth and intense. Score - Gold (Concours des Vins Avignon, 2023) (XD - 4 g/L)
Best Sparkling Wines Under $40:
ACKERMAN BULLE ROYALE CRÉMANT DE LOIRE BRUT SPARKLING Loire, France Vintages #42057 $20.95 traditional method Reggie Solomon of Wine Enthusiast gives this a 91 and describes a vibrant crémant bursting with energy. Look for guava and gooseberry aromas with a hint of dried herbs. The palate is showing green apple and citrus. This will be suitable for a Savoury Ricotta Cheesecake or appetizers. Best Buy. Score - 91 (Reggie Solomon, Wine Enthusiast, Sept. 30, 2024) (D - 13 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines Under $40
INVIVO X, BY SARAH JESSICA PARKER BLEND 7 SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #14278 $21.95 Invivo is a frequent addition to Top 100 lists. This one is showing grassy notes with lemon and tarragon on the nose. The palate has white currant and citrus, along with 'zippy acidity.' Enjoy with Baked Feta with Olives and Onion. Score - 90 (jamessuckling.com, Oct. 7, 2025) (XD - 4 g/L)
If you can't find that one, look for TOHU AWATERE VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024
Vintages #536177 $22.95 Score - 94 - Cameron Douglas, MS of camdouglasms.com, who describes classic citrus and minerality with tropical fruit, white peach and underlying salinity. The finish is long and herbaceous. (XD - 5 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines Under $40
LAURENT PERRACHON VIEILLES VIGNES FLEURIE 2023 Beaujolais, France Vintages #41331 $20.95 This gets a 93 from Reggie Solomon of Wine Enthusiast, who describes earthy black cherry aromas, with a juicy red cherry-infused palate. Forest floor notes add complexity. Editors' Choice, enjoy with Beet Gnocchi in Rosemary Butter. (XD - 3 g/L)
MITOLO JESTER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021
McLaren Vale, South Australia Vintages #43224 $22.95
If you are missing your California Cabs, then consider this one. Look for blackberries, tobacco leaf, dark chocolate and rich plum. Tight and focused with a juicy palate and good tannic structure. Score - 92 (Tony Love, winepilot.com, Feb.
2025) (XD - 2 g/L)
THE ORGANIZED CRIME PIPE DOWN 2022 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, ON, Canada Vintages #356865 $24.95 This is 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc and 12% Petit Verdot, with 30% receiving appassimento treatment. Previous vintages score 90 consistently. Vintage notes say it is vibrant, ripe and intense with blackcurrant, raspberry, dried herb, spice, and tobacco. Pair with Tuscan Ribs with Balsamic Glaze. (XD - 3 g/L)
PADDY BORTHWICK PAPER ROAD PINOT NOIR 2023 Wairarapa, North Island, NZ Vintages #179770 $24.95 This is a lovely, ripe Pinot Noir showing dark cherry and plum with some savoury and spicy notes. The palate is intense, yet supple with well-blanced tannins and a lingering finish. Enjoy with Smoked Duck Breast Salad with Pomegranate Molasses Vinaigrette. Score - 93 (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, May 2025)
(XD - 2 g/L)
CHÂTEAU PLAISANCE BORDEAUX SUPÉRIEUR 2019, Bordeaux, France Vintages #404285 $26.95 This gets a 91 from David Lawrason or winealign.com, who describes raspberry, fresh cedar and basil aromas. Medium-bodied, with a plush palate and excellent length. Drink now through 2030. Plan to enjoy with Red Wine Braised Beef. (XD - 2 g/L)
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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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