The Aug 16 2025 LCBO Vintages Release has a number of Sparkling wines to choose from and a good selection of Cheap and Cheerful!
Good wine doesn't have to be expensive! Get better value for your wine dollars with the recommendations below - and they're free!
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If you try a recommended wine - this is your chance to be a critic! If you find another gem you would like people to know about add that too!
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Cheap And Cheerful
Cheap and Cheerful Sparkling Wine Winners:
MURVIEDRO ARTS DE LUNA BRUT NATURE ORGANIC SPARKLING DOP Cava, Spain Vintages #25073 $15.95 This is a well-structured, traditional method Sparkling with a lively, persistent perlage. It has subtle yeast and almond notes but overall it's refreshing and clean. This is a lovely sipper on its own and would also be a great choice for mimosas or French 75s due to its sturdy structure. Score - 91 (gilbertgaillard.com, 2021) (XD - 2 g/L)
Cheap and Cheerful White Wine Winners:
VALDEHERMOSO SOTAVENTO VERDEJO 2023 Rueda, Spain Vintages # 44584 $15.95 Fans of a savoury Pinot Grigio will appreciate this Verdejo with its grapefruit, fennel and green pear notes. Medium-bodied, clean, dry and refreshing, enjoy with Fresh Corn Risotto. Score - 91 (Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com, July 29, 2024) (XD - 2 g/L)
ABCDARIUM ARINTO VINHO VERDE 2023 Vinho Verde, Portugal Vintages #44948 $16.95 This is a lively, crisp white with hints of minerality and lemon. Chill well and enjoy with calamari or on its own. Score - Gold (Mundus Vini, Spring Tasting 2024) (XD - 7 g/L)
CRIOS CHARDONNAY 2024 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #243196 $16.95 This is a straight-forward Chardonnay with a green apple and lime profile. Fresh and pure, medium-bodied with good structure and a 'light, mouthwatering finish' according to Zekun Shuai of jamessuckling.com, who gives it a 91. It's hard to imagine going wrong with a Susan Balbo wine of any kind.... Pair with Dijon and Tarragon Grilled Chicken. (XD - 2 g/L)
Cheap and Cheerful Rosé Wine Winners:
FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2024 Rhone, France Vintages #719062 $16.95 This Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah blend makes for an exciting, elegant, balanced wine. Enjoy with Salmon, Shrimp Sandwich Cake. (XD - 2 g/L)
Cheap and Cheerful Red Wine Winners:
OLARRA CERRO AÑÓN CRIANZA 2021 DOCa Rioja, Spain
30224 $16.95 A 90% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha, 5% Mazuelo blend, this is showing blue fruit with plums under notes of cedar and tobacco. Dry with silky tannins and some enticing oak notes on the finish. Pair with Spanish Pimenton Pork Bites. Score - 93 (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2023) (XD - 2 g/L)
FINCA EL ORIGEN RESERVA MALBEC 2022 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #65664 $17.95 Dark plums and sweet berry notes define this one. Ripe tannins with some peppery notes round out the picture. Plan to enjoy this with Double Bourbon Bacon Burgers. Score - 91 (Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com, Feb. 28, 2023)
(XD - 3 g/L) If you can't find this one look for MAGNOLIA NEGRA RESERVE MALBEC 2023 Vintages #42764 $17.95, which has ripe black fruit with some vanilla, chocolate hints. Firm and juicy. Score - Gold (gilbertgaillard.com, 2024) (XD - 6 g/L)
Best Buy Sparkling Wines
BERNARD FOUQUET YSANCE BRUT VOUVRAY SPARKLING
42396 Loire, France $19.95 Traditional method from Loire signature Chenin Blanc, this will be an elegant Sparkling with hints of honey and floral notes over orange and apricot fruit. Crisp and clean with an enticing mousse and crisp acidity. This will be perfect for any celebration, appetizer course or Orange Champagne Salmon. Score - 92 (Chris Kissack, thewinedoctor.com) (XD - 3 g/L)
SAN MARTINO CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE EXTRA DRY PROSECCO SUPERIORE 2024 Veneto, Italy Vintages #36395 $17.95 Floral with tropical fruit, citrus peel and mineral notes. The fruit is supported by mineral tones and beautiful acidity. Enjoy with Swedish Shrimp Sandwiches. Score - 91 (Louise Boutin, winecurrent.com, Sept. 2024)
(D - 14 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines
MUCCHIETTO ORGANIC SOAVE 2023, Veneto, Italy Vintages #44234 $18.95 Looking for a pairing for your Cacio e pepe? Try this medium-bodied savoury white with hints of honey, stone fruit, beeswax and herbs. Score - 90 (Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com) (D - 8 g/L)
VALLÉE LOIRE TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Loire, France Vintages #38011 $17.95 I am stocking up as the Touraine Sauvignon Blancs hit the market! Elegant and well integrated; look for lively citrus and tropical fruit with the expected regional nuances. Pair with Garlic Goat Cheese Souffle. (XD - 3 g/L)
HIEDLER PHENOMENON GRÜNER VELTLINER 2023 Qualitätswein, Niederösterreich, Austria Vintages #39119 $20.95 Another crisp light to medium-bodied white that is a perfect summer sipper. This was aged on the lees to add a bit of complexity. Look for yellow plum, clover and pastry notes. Well-balanced with good acid structure and richness and excellent length. Pair with Shrimp Tacos. Score - 91 (David Lawrason, winealign.com)
(XD - 3 g/L)
CLARK ESTATE RIVERSIDE TERRACE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023
41796 Marlborough, South Island, NZ $20.95 This intense example gets a 93 from Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz who describes green apple, mango and citrus peel notes. The palate is flavoursome with 'excellent vibrancy and persistency'. (XD - 0 g/L)
If that one isn't available, look for MATAWHERO SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024, Gisborne, North Island, Vintages #422428 $22.95 that is also 'potent and pungent' according to camdouglasms.com, who gives it a 93. Prominent citrus is followed by hay and herbs. (XD - 5 g/L)
MCHENRY HOHNEN ROCKY ROAD CHARDONNAY 2024 Margaret River, Western Australia Vintages #42065 $24.95 This is being well received among critics. Look for stone fruit and citrus with hints of flint and ginger. Refreshing acidity is contrasted with some creamy lees. Score - 92 (Jane Faulkner, winecompanion.com.au) (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines
CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES 2022
Languedoc, France Vintages #119354 $19.95 This blend of 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 10% Carignan gets a 95 from Decanter World Wine Awards, 2025, who describe 'intoxicating black olive and balsamic savoury notes' over the cherry-driven palate. Tannins are sturdy and chalky. Pair with Sour Cherry Glazed Ribs. (XD - 3 g/L) 750mL
BRIGALDARA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE 2022 Veneto, Italy Vintages #16090 $22.95 The repassing of the wine over the Amarone dried skins guarantees a bit more body and complexity in a Ripasso compared to a straight Valpolicella. This one is on the lighter end of Ripasso and shows strawberry, sassafras and a touch of wood. Pair this with 'Dirty Roman Pasta'! Score - 93 (Ned Goodwin, MW, jamessuckling.com, March 27, 2024) (XD - 4 g/L)
CHÂTEAU LA PIROUETTE 2019 AC Médoc, Cru Bourgeois, Bordeaux, France Vintages #21087 $23.95 This is a Cabernet dominant blend showing jammy red and black berries and spice. Full-bodied with solid tannins. It is dense with refined oak and a classic Médoc. This deserves Air Fryer Beef Tenderloin. Score - Gold (gilbertgaillard.com, 2021)
(XD - 2 g/L)
HITHER & YON GRENACHE/MATARO 2023 McLaren Vale, South Australia Vintage #42067 $24.95 This gets a 91 from John Szabo, MS, winealign.com, who describes it as 'structured, with genuine depth and range of flavours in the classic repertoire'. Look for strawberry, black cherry, and black raspberry mingled with spice. Good acidity and 'impressive length... a much more serious wine than the label, and the price, would lead one to believe'. Drink from 2026. (XD - 3 g/L)
CHÂTEAU JUVENAL LES RIBES DU VALLAT VENTOUX 2022 Rhone, France Vintages #43808 $24.95 This 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah blend gts a 90-92 from Jeb Dunnuck who describes it as 'charming', fruit forward with wild strawberry and dark berries and showing classic spice and pepper. Medium-bodied with good depth and richness. Pair with Venetian Duck Ragu. (XD - 3 g/L)
SECRET DEL PRIORAT 2022
Vintages 25310 $24.95
DOQ Priorat, Spain
Priorat is the only other DOCa designated wine region (the highest qualification) in Spain besides Rioja. It is known for powerful wines owing their pedigree to vines ofen more then 50 or 70 years old, and the 'licorella', black slate soil that forces the roots to tunnel deep into the earth. This is a blend dominated by the signature grapes of the region, Garnacha and Cariñena, supllmented sith Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and
Merlot. Enjoy with Steak with Peppercorn Sauce.
TASTING NOTE: Lovely crunchiness and subtle florality over the plum, cherry, redcurrant and blueberry fruit. Fresh
juicy undercurrent. Subtle savoury aspect with black olive tapenade, garrigue and wild oregano playing in the
background. Touch of salty liquorice and cocoa powder on the delicious finish. Lovely balsamic, minty edge. Best
enjoyed slightly chilled. Drinking window: 2024-2026. Score - 91 (Ines Salpico, decanter.com, Dec. 5, 2024)
(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-$30ish 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 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 tastes 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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