The Sept 12 LCBO Vintages Release has a great range of Sparkling wines, a standout Cabernet Sauvignon, some good Sauvignon Blancs and a Rosso di Montalcino worth looking into.
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:
ALESSANDRO BERSELLI SIGNATURE COLLECTION VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE 2025, Italy Vintages #51608 $19.95 From Italy's most prestigious Prosecco-producing region, this is being well received by critics and consumers. Highly approachable and refreshing, with zippy citrus, apple and pastry notes. Enjoy on its own or with Australian Sausage Roll appetizers. (D - 10 g/L)
CYGNUS SADOR ORGANIC RESERVA BRUT NATURE CAVA Penedès, Spain Vintages #352856 $19.95 This is a perennially favourite Sparkling, showing juicy green pear, grapefruit with hints of pastry from the lees ageing. Lifted and refreshing. Serve with a first course of Lobster Bisque. Score - 92 (Tom Hewson, timatkin.com, Catalunya Special Report 2026) (XD - 4 g/L)
Best White Wines Under $20:
MATAHIWI ESTATE PINOT GRIS 2024 Wairarapa, North Island, NZ Vintages #12679 This is a fruity, supple textured Pinot Gris with subtle spice, juicy acidity and a 'succulent palate'. Enjoy with Creamy Shrimp Quiche. Score - 93 (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, Aug. 2025) (XD - 7 g/L)
MANSION HOUSE BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #609891 $19.20 This is a crispy, dry pour with energetic passionfruit and grapefruit over herbal and citrus tones. The palate is bright and textured with a clean finish. Enjoy with Seared Scallops with Fennel Cream. Score - 94 (nataliemaclean.com) (XD - 2 g/L)
CA' DE' ROCCHI SOAVE CLASSICO 2024, Veneto, Italy Vintages #50564 $18.95 This is a lively, fruity Soave with apple, peach and citrus notes. There are pleasant mineral undertones and refreshing acidity on the palate. Pair with Creamy Seafood Pasta. Score - 90 (Othmar Kiem & Simon Staffler, falstaff.com) (XD - 0 g/L)
LEYDA GARUMA COASTAL VINEYARDS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024, DO Valle de Leyda, Chile Vintages # 99309 This is scoring consistently in the low 90s among critics, with a high of 94 from the Decanter Panel. Critics are using descriptors like 'harmonious', sophisticated, crisp, pure and racy. Gentle with subtle grip and good persistence. If you haven't tried a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, this is a good place to start. Serve with Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Asparagus. Score - 94 (Panel, decanter.com, Sept. 24, 2025) (XD - 2 g/L)
LA PERRIÈRE CÔTEAUX DU GIENNOIS BLANC 2024, Loire Valley, France Vintages #39302 $19.95 I am always on alert for Sancerre-adjacent Sauvignon Blancs from the Loire. This is showing crunchy green fruit and spring vegetables and fresh herbs. Pair with Nova Scotia Lemon Pepper Haddock Bites. (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Red Wines Under $20:
BACARA 3015 MONASTRELL 2022 DO Jumilla, Spain Vintages #50746 $16.95 This is a complex pour, showing cassis, violet and caramel aromas that carry to the palate, where they are joined by citrus zest, licorice and rose petal. The finish is lingering and 'chewy'. Pair with Sweet and Sour Braised Short Ribs. Score - 93 (Mike DeSimone, Wine Enthusiast) (XD - 0 g/L)
FRANKLAND ROCKY GULLY SHIRAZ 2022 Frankland River, Western Australia, Vintages #33371 $17.95 This is scoring 92 consistently among critics. It is recognized as very good value at this price. The fruit is ripe and rich, slightly jammy. Cherry, plum black pepper flavours float over some earthy, smoky tones. There are hints of vanilla and subtle oak. Serve with Sour Cherry Glazed Ribs. Score - 92 (Campbell Mattinson, winefront.com.au)
(XD - 2 g/L)
VITICCIO SOSPETTI TOSCANA ROSSO 2022 Tuscany, Italy Vintages #50775 $18.00
Look for dark cherry and berry tones here with some meat and baking spice. Tannins are firm, so best enjoyed with charcuterie or a meal. The core is dense and compact with a strong finish. Drink or hold [through the end of the decade]. Pair with Sardinian Gnochetti. Score - 93 (Kevin Davy, jamessuckling.com) (XD - 5 g/L)
Best Sparkling Wines Under $40:
There are a pair of offerings from KEW, one of Ontario's most respected Sparkling wine producers. Both are scoring 93 among respected critics.
KEW BLANC DE BLANC 2019 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada, traditional method. Vintages #438994 $32.95 The Chardonnay here is sourced from a single block and spent 6 years on the lees, which lends richness and complexity via pronounced pastry notes, a distinguishing mark of fine traditional-method sparklers. It is zesty with citrus, apple, flint and buttery toast. (XD - 3 g/L) OR
KEW BLANC DE NOIR 2021 VQA West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada traditional method Vintages #380030 $32.95 Another well-crafted Sparkling from 100% Pinot Noir; it is lush with strawberry, apple and a crisp mineral finish. (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines Under $40
NALS MARGREID HILL PINOT GRIGIO 2025 DOC Südtirol-Alto Adige, Italy Vintages #17365 $24.95 From one of the most prestigious Pinot Grigio regions and producers, this wine scores 91-93 reliably year after year. It is fresh and aromatic have been fermented in stainless steel. Time on the lees adds complexity with layers of licorice, pear, lemon curd and nectarine over a seam of salty minerality. Drink date: 2026-2030. Pair with Chicken Piccata. Score - 93 (nataliemaclean.com) (XD - 4 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines Under $40
WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023
Clare Valley/Coonawarra, South Australia
Vintages #142398 $24.95
A perennial favourite, this is a classic Cab Sauv with blackcurrant, cedar, spice, and floral notes. The palate is silky and concentrated with fine, chalky tannins. Beautifully structured and harmonious with an 'engaging' finish. Pair with Sirloin Steak. Score - 95 (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz) (XD - 3 g/L)
POGGIO SAN POLO ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2022
Tuscany, Italy
Vintages #60863 $36.95
If you are a fan of Brunello di Montalcino, consider this a money-saving alternative. It gets a 92 and high praise from Michael Godel of winealign.com, who describes it as rich, luxurious and silky. 20 percent was subject to semi-carbonic maceration and ampora aging, which may be credited with the generous fruit and silky nature of the finished produce. Outstanding. Drink date: 2024-2027. Tasted November 2024. (XD - 0 g/L)
Score - 92 (Michael Godel, winealign.com)
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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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