The Aug 15 LCBO Vintages Release has 2 Sparkling wines of note, along with a classic Saint -Émilion Bordeaux, 2 Super Tuscans, and a classic NZ Pinot Noir.
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 Sparkling Wines Under $20:
PERELADA STARS BRUT NATURE RESERVA CAVA 2022 Spain, traditional method, Vintages #515221 $17.95 This is a consistent winner year after year. Look for delicate fruit and toasty notes. Enough body here to take this through a meal, yet versatile enough to sip on its own. Best Buy. Enjoy with Summer Corn Quiche. Score - 90 (Elaine Chukan Brown, Wine Enthusiast)( XD - 2 g/L)
CELENE AMÉTHYSTE BLANC DE NOIRS BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX, France, traditional method, Vintages #19031 $18.95 Look for apple, pear, creamy lemon and nutty notes and a vibrant mousse in this little gem. Serve with Balsamic Pear Tartlets. Score - 90 (nataliemaclean.com) (D - 11 g/L)
Best Rosé Wines Under $20:
VILLA AIX-EN-PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 Côteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, Vintages #668426 $19.95 Look for melon, strawberry and citrus in this rich and fresh Sparkling. Pair with Strawberry Balsamic Crostini. Score - Gold Medal (Concours Général Paris, 2026) (XD - 2 g/L)
PASQUA 11 MINUTES ODI ET AMO ROSÉ 2024 delle Venezie, Italy Vintages #556142$19.95 This is a vibrant, complex Sparkling with layers of cranberry, strawberry and citrus served on crisp minerality. Best Buy. Score - 91 (Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast) (XD - 7 g/L)
Best White Wines Under $20:
AZEVEDO LOUREIRO ALVARINHO 2024 Vinho Verde, Portugal Vintages #41899 $13.95 This is a lively summer sipper, medium-bodied, showing lime, kiwi and floral notes. Zesty and fresh for the dock or deck. Pair with a light lunch of Kiwi Salad with Avocado. Score - 90 (Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com) (XD - 3 g/L)
MONTESPINA SOBRE LÍAS VERDEJO 2025 Rueda, Spain Vintages #40788 $16.95 This is scoring low 90s among critics. If you are looking for a refreshing alternative to Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, consider this Verdejo from 35-100 year-old-vines. Look for apple, pear, ginger, spice and light up with light herbal notes and a lively finish. Pair with Curried Chicken Salad with Pickled Ginger. Score - 92 (Beth Willard, timatkin.com, Rueda Special Report 2026) (XD - 4 g/L)
JOSEPH CATTIN PINOT GRIS 2024 Alsace, France Vintages # $17.95 This off-dry, rich Pinot Gris is showing apricot, honey and spice on a fresh, round palate. Score - Gold (Concours des Vins Macon, 2025) (D - 11 g/L)
NOEMA ASSYRTIKO 2024 Peloponnese Greece Vintages #49578 $19.95 Another refreshing summer sipping wine. Well-structured with white fruit, citrus and saline notes. It will drink through 2030. Enjoy with calamari. (XD - 2 g/L)
PLANETA LA SEGRETA GRILLO 2024 Sicilia, Italy Vintages #39442 $19.95 Grillo fans will be happy to see this since Grillo isn't available at all times on our shelves. Look for white peach, honey dew, green apple and floral notes on the nose and palate. toasted almond and citrus slide in on the finish. Great balance and textured finish here. 'An incredible deal.' Serve with Melon and Crispy Prosciutto Salad. Score - 92 (Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast) (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Red Wines Under $20:
RICASOLI ANTICO FEUDO DELLA TRAPPOLA 2022, Tuscany, Italy Vintages #32687 $17.95 There is no firm definition of a Super Tuscan. Basically, some producers started blending varietals that didn't fit within the strict rules for Tuscany DOC regulations. They received a lot of recognition and praise, and the term "Super Tuscan" was born. This is a Sangiovese with Cabernet and Merlot blend that is scoring low 90s consistently among critics. So... we are looking at a poor man's Super Tuscan here! It is robust but silky and fresh with ripe red fruit, spice and tobacco. (You may want to compare it to the other Super Tuscan in this release. See below). Enjoy with Braciole. (XD - 3 g/L)
HEARTLAND STICKLEBACK RED 2023, Langhorne Creek, South Australia Vintages #116574 $16.95 This gets good reviews and scores low 90s year after year. A blend of 82% Shiraz and 18% Cabernet, look for layers of dark berries, cherry, smoky herbs and spices. The palate is plush, and the finish is velvety. Lots to like here! Pair with Sour Cherry Glazed Ribs. (XD - 3 g/L)
ZENATO ALANERA ROSSO VENETO 2022, Veneto, Italy Vintages #451724 $18.95 This is scoring 91-93 among critics. Parziale appassimento means only 50 % of the grapes were dried Amarone-style, so it has more weight than a Ripasso and less than an Amarone. Sounds like an enjoyable balance to me! It is supple, spicy and fruity with black pepper, leather, herbs, cherry, plum and earthy tones. Enjoy with Venetian Duck Ragu. (XD - 7 g/L)
FORTANT GRANDS TERROIRS MINERVOIS 2023, Languedoc, France Vintages # $18.95 This is being recognized among critics and excellent value and scoring 91-93. A medium-bodied Syrah/Grenache blend, it has had no oak treatment in favour of aging on the lees in concrete and steel. The result is a polished, fruity, juicy pour. 'Long and smooth.' (XD - 3 g/L)
CREEKSIDE RED TRACTOR CABERNET/MERLOT 2020 Niagara Peninsula, ON, Canada Vintages #11851 $19.95 This won Double Gold at the All Canadian Wine
Championships, 2023. 2020 was a 'stunning' vintage for Niagara. Look for dark and red fruit, oak spice, herbs and chocolate with earthy hints. It is 'generous' and 'luxurious'. Serve with Marinated Flank Steak. (XD - 6 g/L)
SIDEWOOD SHIRAZ 2022 Adelaide Hills, South Australia Vintages #446146 $19.95 This is getting high praise and mid 90 scores among critics. 12 different clones fermented in small batches, and extended maceration have paid off with a 'beautifully poised wine'. Look for cherry, plum and black pepper leading to a long, flavourful finish. Special Value. Drink: 2024 -2042 Score - 96 (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au) (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines Under $40
CATENA APPELLATION TUPUNGATO CHARDONNAY 2024 Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #10964 $22.95 Argentina makes clean, fresh Chardonnay. This one is showing apple and light oak with a subtle chalky texture. It is fresh and rich with an enticing tension. Pair with Stuffed Shells with Chicken and Walnut Cream. Score - 92 (Joaquín Hidalgo, vinous.com) (XD - 4 g/L)
JULES TAYLOR PINOT GRIS 2025 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #36866 $22.95 Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz gives this a 94 and describes apricot, melon and floral aromas. The palate is harmonious, silky, juicy and intense - 'fabulously drinkable'. (XD - 2 g/L)
TRIUS SHOWCASE WILD FERMENT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, Canada Vitages #39763 $28.95 This is scoring 92-93 among critics. John Szabo of winealign.com calls it a 'remarkably complex local Savvy'. Wild yeast and oak aging yield a complex bouquet of melon and peach with hints of oak and caramel that extend to the palate. The palate is rich with more citrus and spice. Serve with Spicy Salt Rubbed Chicken. (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines Under $40
BURGO VIEJO RESERVA 2020 Rioja, Spain Vintages #168823 $19.95 It always amazes me that a wine from Spain, aged 5-6 years, is available here for under $20. This same vintage was offered last July, and I enjoyed it a number of times as a smooth, robust pour. Look for ripe cherry, cranberry and plum with toasty, smooth tannins. Score - 95 (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2024) (XD - 3 g/L)
MONTES ALPHA CARMENÈRE 2022 Valle de Colchagua, Chile Vintages #143230 $21.95 Fans of Carmenère's savoury, vegetable profile will want to know about this one. Look for blackberry, paprika and olives over tobacco and graphite notes. Tannins are silky, leading to a lingering finish. Lush and elegant. Enjoy with Ottolenghi Lasagne with Mushroom Ragu. Score - 95 (Natalie MacLean, nataliemaclean.com) (XD - 3 g/L)
PEPPERJACK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 Barossa, South Australia Vintages #
433003 $23.95 If you are missing your California Cabs, check this out. It is rich with generous blackberry and cassis over dark spices, hints of mint, dried herbs and earth. Chalky tannins persist through a fruity finish. Drink now. Special Value. This deserves a nice Sirloin Steak on the Grill. Score - 91 (Dave Brookes, winecompanion.com.au) (XD - 4 g/L)
CHÂTEAU LALANDE DE GRAVET SAINT-ÉMILION GRAND CRU 2022 Boardeaux, France Vintages #11728 $28.95 If you are looking for a Bordeaux with a pedigree, this is it - a grand cru from Saint -Émilion. A blend of Merlot and 2 Cabs from old vines results in aromas of black cherry and truffle, and a palate of rich, spicy black fruit. Drink from 2027. A perfect accompaniment to Sirloin Roast with Sauce Bordelaise. Score - 92 (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast) (XD - 2 g/L)
VIBERTI GIOVANNI LA GEMELLA BARBERA D'ALBA 2023, Piedmont, Italy Vintages #632372 $24.95 Alba represents the 'cream of the crop' when it comes to Barbera. This is crisp with red and dark fruit, strawberries and raspberries. The palate is dynamic, balanced and focused with fine tannins leading to a long finish. Score - 92 (Megha Jandhyala, S.J.D., winealign.com) (XD - 4 g/L)
SIGLO GRAN RESERVA 2015 Rioja, Spain Vintages #11228 $24.95 Another one from a great vintage where the aging has been done for you! Look for flavours of blackberry, raspberry, dark chocolate and black olive. The palate finishes with rose petal and pomegranate. Tannins are plush. Score - 94 (Mike DeSimone, Wine Enthusiast) (XD - 3 g/L)
ASTROLABE MARLBOROUGH PINOT NOIR 2023
Marlborough, South Island, NZ
Vintages #538918 $29.95
This is scoring 92-94 among critics. It is classic Marlborough with an arresting bouquet of cherry, strawberry, citrus and a saline edge. The palate is silky with lively acidity. Great fruit and focus continue through the finish. Pair with Crispy Duck with Cherry Port Sauce.
Score - 92 (Kevin Davy, jamessuckling.com Oct. 10, 2025)
(XD - 2 g/L)
BANFI MAGNA CUM LAUDE 2022
Tuscany, Italy
Vintages #28469 $32.95
This is scoring 92-95 among critics. Look for dark, earthy tones with rich blackberry, plum, coffee, flowers and cedar on the nose. Full-bodied with firm but polished tannins, it has a juicy core floating over oak spice and walnuts. Drink now or through 2038 with Tuscan Ribs.
Score - 92 (Andrii Stetsiuk, jamessuckling.com, July 14,
2025) (XD - 3 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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