The Oct 24 LCBO Vintages Release has a little something for everyone in the white category and a well-rated Super Tuscan at a very reasonable price.
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:
AVELEDA BRUT SPARKLING DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal Vintages #45813 $16.95
Tank method. Those who enjoy the liveliness of a Vinho Verde will be interested in this Sparkling, which takes it up to Prosecco level. Look for green apple and citrus with biscuit notes and almonds on the finish. The mousse is fine, energetic and persistent.
Serve it with soft queso fresco or Balsamic Pear Tartlets. Drink date: 2026-2027. Best Value Wine. Score - 90 (nataliemaclean.com) (D - 4 g/L)
Best White Wines Under $20:
REIF RESERVE GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2024 VQA Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, Canada Vintage #360255 $19.95 Canada does a good job with aromatic Gewürztraminer. This one has 'excellent intensity' and is showing pear, lychee, spice and honey. It is balanced and bright, leaning toward the Alsace profile. Plan to enjoy with food, such as Roasted Pear Salad or even turkey dinner. (XD - 2 g/L)
SIDEWOOD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 Adelaide Hills, South Australia Vintages #518357 $18.95 Sidewood is always recognized as a reliable producer. This one is showing the benefits of a long ripening window with its aromatics, tropical fruit notes and lime citrus notes. Acidity is balanced with chalky minerality. The finish is long with a hint of pepper. Enjoy with seafood or Salmon in Puff Pastry. Score - 95 (Tony Love, winepilot.com)
(XD - 3 g/L)
CATHEDRAL CELLAR CHARDONNAY 2023 WO Western Cape, South Africa Vintages #328559 $19.95 Cathedral Cellars has a good reputation for Chardonnay in particular. This is scoring 91-93 points among critics. Look for wet stone, pear and citrus with hints of minerality and oak spice. Serve with Chicken Pot Pie. Score - 91 (Tim Atkin, MW, timatkin.com, South Africa Special Report 2024) (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Red Wines Under $20:
ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP BLACKBERRY PATCH CABERNET 2022 Fleurieu, South Australia Vintages #353193 $19.95 Another winner from Zonte's Footstep. This is showing dark plum, blackberry, herbs and nutty notes. The palate is polished, well-structured and harmonious. Lots to enjoy here. Serve with Ribs with Spicy Blackberry Sauce. Score - 93 (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz) (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy Fortified Wines Under $40
CALEM LBV LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE PORT 2019 DOP, Portugal Vintages #52425 $24.95 Ready to drink now. Look for dried currants and fruit, herbs and chocolate. Serve with charcuterie, aged cheese and dried figs and fruit. Score - Gold (Mundus Vini, 2024) (S - 91 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines Under $40
CHÂTEAU DE LA CHESNAIE MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE SUR LIE 2023
Loire, France Vintages #50776 $20.95
This is 100% Melon de Bourgogne and a mainstay of my entertaining. Look for white blossom, stone fruit and apple on a lively palate. Acidity is refreshing, with hints of minerality on the finish. Score - 91 (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2025)
(XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines Under $40
BORGO SCOPETO BORGONERO 2022
Vintages #421396 $22.95
This 40% Sangiovese blend, with Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon making up the difference in equal parts puts it in the 'Super Tuscan' category. Scoring consistently mid 90s, it is showing strawberry, plum, black currant with dried herbs and leather tones. The palate is notably smooth and velvety. Medium-full body with very fine-grained tannins lead to a commendable finish. Gorgeous. Drink now. Serve with Ottolenghi Lasagne with Mushroom Ragu. (XD - 7 g/L)
Score - 95 (winescritic.com)
KILIKANOON MORRISON SHIRAZ/CABERNET 2019 Clare Valley, South Australia Vintages # 50199 $24.95 This blend has a generous nose and a robust palate of black currant, sweet black licorice, chocolate and dried herbs. Tannins are firm but well-integrated. Drink date: 2024-2032. Score - 94 (Campbell Mattinson, winefront.com.au) (XD - 0 g/L)
CAVE DU CHÂTEAU DE CHÉNAS COEUR DE GRANIT MOULIN-À-VENT 2023 Beaujolais, France Vintages #648477 $23.95 This is getting great reviews among critics and consumers. This is a smooth-drinking medium to light-bodied wine with delicate cherry, currant and pepper notes. Enjoy on its own or with Beef Bourguignon.
Editors' Choice. Score - 94 (Reggie Solomon, Wine Enthusiast) (XD - 4 g/L)
NUITON-BEAUNOY BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2024 Burgundy, France Vintages #556456 $24.95 If you are in the mood for a classic French Pinot Noir, this one's for you. Red cherry and red currant float over delicate smoke. The palate is silky and structured with fine tannins. Score - 93 (nataliemaclean.com) (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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