The March 7 2026 LCBO Vintages Release has something for everyone from Riesling to Rosso di Montalcino. Check out the NZ Sauvignon scoring 95 for under $20.
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! If you find another gem you would like people to know about add that too!
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Best Sparkling Wines Under $20:
PARÉS BALTÀ BRUT CAVA DO, Spain Vintages #650648 $17.95 Traditional Method. This is medium-bodied with a creamy perlage and subtle brioche and green apple notes. Enjoy with you Easter Brunch. Score - 90 (jamessuckling.com) (XD - 6 g/L)
PREVEDELLO EXTRA DRY ASOLO PROSECCO SUPERIORE 2024 DOCG, Veneto, Italy Vintages #262881 $19.95 This is a refreshing Prosecco with apple, melon, and lime notes. Crisp and energetic, enjoy with Swedish Shrimp Sandwiches. (D - 15 g/L)
Best White Wines Under $20:
VILLA SPARINA GAVI DI GAVI 2024 DOCG Piedmont, Italy Vintages #541854 $19.95 This is a classic Italian white wine from the Cortese grape. Best enjoyed young, look for generous citrus, yellow plum, and wild herbs, and some spice. Juicy and balanced, enjoy with grilled fish and Lemon Pistachio Rice. Score - 91 (jamessuckling.com, July 24, 2025) (XD - 6 g/L)
Best Red Wines Under $20:
HERDADE SÃO MIGUEL COLHEITA SELECCIONADA TINTO 2022 Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal Vintages #70730 $16.95 This is scoring 90 consistently among critics. It is a blend dominated by Alicante Bouschet and Syrah, Touriga Franca, and Touriga Nacional. It is 'bursting' with raspberry, mulberry, and plum with hints of black pepper and menthol. Enjoy with Ribs with Spicy Blackberry Sauce. Score - Gold (Berliner Wein Trophy, 2024) (D - 5 g/L)
INFINITO WINEMAKER'S SELECTION MALBEC 2023 Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages # 10971 $16.95 This gets a 90 from Joaquín Hidalgo of vinous.com, who describes intense cherry, plum, and spicy notes. The palate is smooth and lively. (XD - 3 g/L)
CASA NATAL GRAN RESERVA MALBEC 2022 Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #38498 $19.95 This gets a 93 from Claire Nesbitt of jamessuckling.com, who describes plums, boysenberry with excellent freshness, and silky tannins. Drink now through mid 2030s. Pair with Cassoulet. (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines Under $40
PIERRE SPARR GRANDE RÉSERVE GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2023 AOC Alsace, France Vintages #747600 $20.95 From 30-year-old-vines, this is a classic Gewurtz with lychee, grapefruit, and spice. Enjoy with Asian dishes such as Curry Singapore Noodles. Score - Gold (Concours Général Paris, 2024) (D - 14 g/L)
ORGANIZED CRIME WILD FERMENT RIESLING 2022
VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, On, Canada Vintages #11952 $21.95
This is getting high praise among critics. Fermented and aged in old oak but still 'delightfully floral and fresh.' Look for apple, citrus, herbs and the Niagara minerality. Enjoy now or through the 2030s Poached Chicken Salad with Champagne Vineger Aioli. (XD - 4 g/L)
SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE BARREL FERMENTED TORRONTÉS 2024 Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #384339 $23.95 The barrel fermentation adds an interesting layer of complexity to this wine. Look for subtle oak notes under hints of basil and hite flowers. The palate is creamy but bright and crisp with a hint of nutmeg. Enjoy with Dublin Lawyer. Drinking window: 2025-2033. Score - 94 Joaquín Hidalgo, vinous.com (XD - 2 g/L)
CAVE SPRING ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2024 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, ON, Canada Vintages #256552 $24.95 Vintages notes describe this as a 'must-try paragon of elegance and refinement'. Look for pear, apple, lemon, and vanilla with Niagara's salinity and minerality. Pair with Grilled Chicken with Dijon and Tarragon.(XD - 3 g/L)
JULES TAYLOR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024
Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #224428 $19.95
This gets a whopping score of 95 from Cameron Douglas, MS of
camdouglasms.com, who describes an intense nose of passionfruit, red apples, citrus, nettles, and gooseberry. The palate is plush with ripe fruit, fresh herbs, and salinity. Outstanding. Drink now with Sheet Pan Salmon with Crispy Rice. (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines Under $40
COURTOIS LA GRANGE VINSOBRES 2023 AOC Vinsobres, Rhone, France Vintages #526632 $21.95 A Châteauneuf-du-Pape wannabe here at a fraction of the price. Look for violets, mint, and stony minerality on the nose with cherry and black currant undertones. The palate is vibrant and refined with excellent structure. Pair with Beef Bourguignon. Score - 91 Anna-Christina Cabrales, Wine Enthusiast (XD - 3 g/L)
PERICA VIÑA OLAGOSA RESERVA 2014 DOCa Rioja, Spain Vintages #37634 $23.95 This elegant Reserva is showing mocha and coffee notes along with ripe, red fruit. The palate is balanced and silky. It gets a 94 from Decanter World Wine Awards, 2021, who call it a 'standout' wine. This would be a great choice to add to a Rioja Tasting. (XD - 3 g/L)
CHÂTEAU PEY LA TOUR RÉSERVE DU CHÂTEAU 2020 AOC Bordeaux Supérieur, France Vintages #349308 $23.95 This is scoring low 90s consistently. Look for dark cherry, chocolate, licorice, spice, and dried herbs. Juicy, plump, and 'very easy to like'. Pair with Lamb Shanks in Guinness. Score - 91 (Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Feb. 23, 2023) (XD - 3 g/L)
STONELEIGH LATITUDE PINOT NOIR 2023 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages # $23.95 If you are in the mood for a classic NZ Pinot Noir, this will fit the bill. Highly aromatic, with ripe fruit, baking spice, and vanilla under the cherry tones. It is balanced and has a bit of Burgundian flair. Pair with Crispy Duck Breast. (XD - 3 g/L)
WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 South Australia, Vintages #142398 $25.95 Wakefield, in general, is always a reliable bet for quality, and the Jaraman line, even more so. This gets a 93 from tasting.com, who describe it as an 'exceptional' medium-full-bodied wine showing dark berries, pastry notes, and pepper. The finish is notable with cherry-cranberry, toffee, spicy nuts over cedar and oak. This deserves a Steak with Peppercorn Sauce. (XD - 4 g/L)
TYRRELL'S HUNTER VALLEY SHIRAZ 2023 Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia Vintages #13990 $24.95 This gets a 93 from James Suckling, who describes it as a 'beautiful' Shiraz with blackberry, violets, and light tar notes. Medium-bodied with fine and well-integrated tannins leading to a fresh finish. (XD - 3 g/L)
FANTI ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2023 DOC Tuscany, Italy Vintages #372268 $34.95 If you would like a Brunello without the price tag, consider this beauty. It gets a 94 from Jacobo Garcia-Andrade Llamas of jamessuckling.com. Look for generous notes of cherry, garrigue, and lavender. He describes it as medium to full-bodied, with restrained richness. Fresh and succulent. Pair with Braciole. (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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