The Jan 10 2026 LCBO Vintages Release has a few gems in both the <$20 and >20 categories.
Good wine doesn't have to be expensive! Use my recommendations to get the best wine for your money - and they're free!
Jump to:
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!
Please leave a comment below so others can benefit!
Best Fortified Wines Under $20:
PEREZ BARQUERO VERMOUTH DO Montilla-Moriles, Spain Vintages #7036 $17.95If you want 'bang for your buck,' nothing will beat a couple of ounces of this poured over a fresh orange slice and topped with ice... summer or winter! Look for cinnamon, vanilla, turmeric and a touch of bitter almond. (S - 144 g/L) Score - 91 (Guía Peñín, 2019)
Best White Wines Under $20:
THOMPSON STEER LIMESTONE COAST SHIRAZ 2021 Limestone Coast, South Australia Vintages # 45379 $17.95 This gets a 94 from Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz, who describes inviting blackberry, olive pepper and cedar notes. It is silky-smooth and fleshy with a lingering, harmonious finish. (XD - 2 g/L)
EL ESTECO BLEND DE EXTREMOS TORRONTÉS 2024, Valle de Cafayate, Argentina Vintges #46399 $18.95 Torrontés is a rather unique wine in that it is very aromatic. Interesting when it is dry and very floral when it is off-dry. This one is rich nd fruity, from old vines and high altitude, giving it aromatics and crispness. Pleasant with a bright juiciness and harmonious focus. Pair with Warm Cauliflower Salad with Toasted Almonds. Score - 93 (Jacobo Garcia-Andrade Llamas, jamessuckling.com, March 22, 2025) (XD - 2 g/L)
RAPAURA SPRINGS CLASSIC SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024, Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages # 465880 $19.95 A 'flavoursome palate' and juicy intensity define this classic NZ Sauvignon Blanc. Notes of melon, nectarine and citrus lead to a 'long and delicious' finish. Serve with Salmon in Puff Pastry with Lime Cream.Score - 93 (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, Aug. 2024) (XD - 6 g/L)
Best Red Wines Under $20:
MICHELE CHIARLO LE ORME BARBERA D'ASTI 2022 Piedmont, Italy Vintages #265413 $16.95 This is the one I will be stocking up on for casual pizza and spaghetti nights. It is from Chiarlo's four Barbera vineyards in Nizza, including the old-vine La Court estate. Ready-to-drink, but still showing depth and typical Barbera character, look for ripe blackberry and plum with soft tannins. '... a lot of wine here for the money' - Norm Roby. Score - 91 (Norm Roby, winereviewonline.com) (XD - 3 g/L)
MARQUÉS DE LA CONCORDIA LAGUNILLA RESERVA 2018 Rioja, Spain Vintages #44774 $18.95 Leather and oaky tones lead to undertones of berries and clove with hints of chocolate, violet and pleasant forest floor. Tannins are sleek and dissolve into a soft berry finish. Pair with a hearty Cassoulet. Score - 92 (Mike DeSimone, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 31, 2022) (XD - 3 g/L)
LA ROSELIÈRE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES LAUDUN 2022, Rhone, France Vintages #31694 $19.95 This Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Counoise blend comes from vines 50+ years old. The palate is commanding and opulent, showing blac olive, tea leaf, herbs and black fruit. Serve with Wine-Braised Oxtail Stew. Score - Gold (Concours Général Paris, 2024) (XD - 4 g/L)
BASILICA CAFAGGIO SINGLE ESTATE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022, Tuscany, Italy Vintages #421107 $19.95 Juicy sour cherries and oregano frame this juicy wine. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Score - 92 (jamessuckling.com, July 12, 2024) (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy Sparkling Wines Under $40
PIERRE SPARR BRUT RÉSERVE CRÉMANT D'ALSACE
AOC, Alsace, France, traditional method
Vintages #388603 $20.95 100% .
If your bubbly supply is depleted after the holidays, consider this one. Auxerrois is thought to be related to Chardonnay and is rich and fruity with low acidity. This one is showing apple and pear with savoury underones and a long, lemony finish. Score - 95 (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2024)
(D - 11 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines Under $40
PROSPER MAUFOUX MÂCON-VILLAGES 2023, Burgundy, France Vintages #18709 $20.95 This is s simple example of a Burgundian Chardonnay showing creaminess and fresh citrus. Well-made with a long finish. Pair with Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken. Drink now. Score - 90 (Stuart Pigott, jamessuckling.com, July 21, 2024) (XD - 5 g/L)
VILLA MARIA SOUTHERN CLAYS RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #47831 $24.95 Villa Maria is a safe value bet, and this reserve takes it up a notch. This gets a 96 from Sam Kim who describes enticing aromas of green apple and lemon/lime. The palate has excellent weight and persistence with saline undertones and lively acidity. The finish is long and satisfying. Score - 96 (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, April 2025) (XD - 5 g/L)
BACHELDER L'ARDOISE NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA Niagara Peninsula, ON, Canada Vintages #302083 $25.95 Thomas Bachelder is highly regarded in Ontario and the entire wine world. This is a clean, pure example, designed to showcase Niagara terroir. Fruit and acid all in harmony with its barrel treatment adding complexity. Score - 91 (Michael Godel, winealign.com) (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines Under $40
THE BETTER HALF PINOT NOIR 2023 Marlborough, South Island,NZ Vintages #
47838 $22.95 If you are in the mood for a classic NZ Pinot Noir, look no futher! Aromas of cherry and plum and spice lead to a silky smooth palate with fine tannins, good acidity. Time on the lees adds complexity with fruit, dried herbs and baking spices. Drink now through 2028 with Crispy Duck Breast With Cherry Port Sauce. Score - 91 (Cameron Douglas, MS, camdouglasms.com, June 14, 2025) (XD - 2 g/L)
FIELDING CABERNET FRANC 2023 VQA Niagara Peninsula, On, Canada Vintages #36194 $26.15 Platinum Award Winner – 2025 National Wine Awards of Canada. Score 94 from judging panel. Look for rich black cherry and plum. The palate is weighty, and fruity with plush tannins and bright acidity. A real treat for Cab Franc lovers and a great place to start for the uninitiated! (XD - 3 g/L)
DOMAINE SAINT ROCH PROJET F VACQUEYRAS 2022 Rhone, France Vintages #47577 $28.95 An elegant Grenache/Syrah blend showing aromas of strawberry, cherry, herbs and spice. Tannins are fine under a fresh, juicy fruit core. Pair with Beef Bourguignon. Score - 92 jamessuckling.com,
(XD - 4 g/L)
Related Recipes
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 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.
Leave a Reply