The May 10 2025 LCBO Vintages Release has a Sparkling in every price category. Check out the classic Chianti scored 95 by Decanter.com for $23!
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 White Wine Winners:
RÉSERVE DU CHIRON MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE 2023 Loire, France Vintages #413757 $14.95 This got a Gold from Vinalies Nationales, 2024 and about 89 points among critics. This is a very neutral varietal - perfect for a summer lunch with Poached Salmon in Dill Sauce. Look for a round mouthfeel with apricot and melon notes and good texture from time on the lees. (XD - 2 g/L)
Cheap and Cheerful Red Wine Winners:
CHÂTEAU HYOT 2022 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, France Vintages #63537 $15.95 This Merlot-dominant blend scores low 90s year after year. Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast gives the 2022 a 90 and describes it as bold and juicy. Tannins are still young so either decant for an hour or so or give it another year or more in the cellar. (XD - 3 g/L)
COURTOIS LA SOURCE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 Rhone, France Vintages #526640 $15.95 This 85% grenache/15% syrah blend is being well received among critics. It gets a 90 from Rod Phillips who describes fresh, generous red fruit with spicy notes in an easy-drinking style. Enjoy now with Double Bourbon Bacon Burgers. (XD - 2 g/L)
FINCA MONICA CRIANZA 2019 Rioja, Spain Vintages #574368 $16.95 This is scoring low 90s among critics and a Gold from gilbertgaillard.com. Look for beautiful fresh blackcurrant/strawberry notes with delicate oak and vanilla. Enjoy with tapas like Pan Con Tomate. (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy Sparkling Wines
NORTON COSECHA ESPECIAL EXTRA BRUT SPARKLING Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #43393 $17.95 This is Argentina's answer to Prosecco, albeit 100% Chardonnay. Look for pear and apple aromas with hints of grass and yeast. Dry with a pleasant mouthfeel and refreshing fruit on the palate. Enjoy now with Mother's Day Luncheon. Score - 90 Joaquín Hidalgo of vinous.com (D - 0 g/L)
BERNARD-MASSARD CUVÉE DE L'ÉCUSSON BRUT PINOT NOIR ROSÉ SPARKLING Luxembourg, traditional method Vintages #369074 $22.95 This 100% Pinot Noir Rosé gets a 91 from Natalie Maclean who describes juicy strawberry and cherry notes with hints of savoury. The mousse is fine and persistent. Good acidity will make it a match for Sheet Pan Salmon With Crispy Rice. (D - 11 g/L)
JCB NO. 69 BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE Burgundy, France Vintages #614453 $29.95 Scoring solidly in the 91-94 range, this bubbly would be a great choice for gradutations, Mother's Day or any celebration. Jessie Birschbach of The Tasting Panel Magazine gives it a 94 and describes grapefruit and tart cherry with some salinity and earth tones. (D - 11 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines
COURTOIS LA SOURCE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 Rhone, France Vintages #40368 $18.95 Louise Boutin of winecurrent.com gives this a 92 and describes ripe pear, apricot and melon aromas. The palate is round with tangy grapefruit. Texture is mildly chalky and the finish is long. Pair with Lemon Pepper Haddock Bites. (Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Rousanne and Viognier blend) (XD - 2)
ZACHARIAS ASSYRTIKO 2023 PGI Peloponnese, Greece Vintages #588814 $18.95 Whisk yourself off to the Greek Isles with this fresh, zesty Assyrtiko. Look for floral notes, lemon, mint and hints of sea salt on the nose. The palate is clean with 'mineral freshness'. Enjoy with calamari or shellfish. Score - 92 Natalie Earl, decanter.com (XD - 3 g/L)
THORNBURY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #734798 $18.95 I stock up on this one every time it hits our shelves! Look for grapefruit and melon on the nose with a juicy, fruity palate. Score - 91 Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz (XD - 5 g/L)
HENRY OF PELHAM THE SHADOW ROCK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, On, Canada Vintage #38154 $21.95 This Ontario Sauv Blanc leans toward the fruity, grapefruit, melon and spice profile as opposed to the grassy NZ style. The palate is creamy and textured from light oak aging with a vibrant finish. Score - 90 Rick VanSickle of winesinniagara.com (XD - 4 g/L)
LENZ MOSER PRESTIGE GRÜNER VELTLINER 2023 Niederösterreich, Austria Vintages #71233 $19.95 This light-medium bodied, crispy white is showing tropical fruit with hints of herbs and smoke. Look for lemony, zesty acidity and enjoy with Schnitzel and Potato Salad. Score - 91 Peter Moser, falstaff.com (XD - 4 g/L)
MARQUESA VALSERRANO BLANCO 2022 DOCa Rioja Alavesa, Spain Vintages #41247 $24.95 A white Rioja is a wonderful thing. This is a complex Viura showing floral notes and stone fruit. Well-balanced with a long finish. Enjoy it with Spanish Pimentón Pork. Score - 92 decanter.com (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines
SALENTEIN RESERVE MALBEC 2022 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #640854 $18.95 Patricio Tapia of guiadescorchados.cl gives this a 91 and describes it as ripe and succulent with generous black fruit. Tannins are firm and the alcohol is notable so plan to enjoy with something like Flank Steak. (XD - 3 g/L)
WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE CABERNET/SHIRAZ/MALBEC/MERLOT 2022 Coonawarra, Limestone Coast, South Australia Vintages #511600 $19.95 From old vines in Coonawarra with an eclectic mix of Cab Sauv, Shiraz, Malbec and Merlot, this is a powerful yet elegant wine. Look for cassis, cherry, chocolate with some pepper and smoke. Enjoy with Pepper Steak. (XD - 3 g/L)
SISTER'S RUN OLD TESTAMENT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 Coonawarra, South Australia Vintages #478271 $18.95 Sister's Run is always a reliable bet for good value. This gets a 'Best Buy' designation and 91 from Christina Pickard of Wine Enthusiast. She describes it as dense with black and red berries, licorice, cedar and spicy notes that carry from the nose to the palate. The palate is rich, balanced with powerful tannins. Enjoy with Ottolenghi Mushroom Lasagne. (XD - 4 g/L)
A ridiculously affordable price for a Merlot this good. The wine is aged in 100% fine French oak barrels (25% new) from Tonnellerie Sirgue Nuits Saint Georges for 10 months. There is an intriguing, perfumed note on the nose with dark cherries, black raspberries, cassis, integrated spices, and subtle earthy accents. It's rich with
FEATHERSTONE RED TAIL MERLOT 2021
Niagara Peninsula, On Canada Vintages #131540 $19.95
some tannic structure and weight on the palate followed by juicy red berries, anise, cassis, and elegant spice notes
through a long, lifted finish. [You] can age this for 5+ years and you can feel pretty damn happy you paid only $20 a bottle. (XD - 3 g/L)
Score - 92 Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com
CASTELLO DI RADDA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 Tuscany, Italy Vintages #16448 $22.95 This might well be the 'best' Best Buy of the entire release. It gets a 96 from decanter.com. This is a classic Chianti displaying all the hallmarks of the region. Look for florals, fruit and tea leaf on the nose. The palate is vibrant and firm with a long 'savoury finish'.
Enjoy with Braciole now 2024-2030. (XD - 2 g/L)
MAISON VALDESAY BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2023 Burgundy, France Vintages #12176 $23.95 This is a chance to enjoy an Old World classic Pinot Noir without breaking the bank. It is scoring 89-90. Look for ripe berry and plum with some earthy notes, oak spice and minerality. Enjoy with Roast Lamb with Major Gray's. (XD - 3 g/L)
LA VITE LUCENTE 2022 Tuscany, Italy Vintages #747030 $32.95 This is one of my annual indulgences. It gets a 95 from Natalie Maclean who describes it as rich, medium-plus-bodied with 'elegant' black and blue fruit, cedar and spice. The palate is silky with good length. Enjoy with Venetian Duck Ragu. (XD - 3 g/L)
COUDOULET DE BEAUCASTEL CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2021 Rhone, France Vintages #48884 $32.95 A Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'wannabe', this blend of 30% each Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah gets a 92 from Joe Czerwinski of robertparker.com. Look for black cherry and licorice aromas with raspberry and chocolate joining those on the palate. It is plush and velvety with a long, complex finish. Enjoy now through 2035. (XD - 3 g/L)
Appetizers For Your Sipping Pleasure
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 then $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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