Category Archives: Best Buys

Recommended wines considering the price, usually under $25, where it’s from, the winery and the varietal.

HENRI D’AUGAN BRUT CRÉMANT de BORDEAUX ROSÉ, TRADITIONAL METHOD, NV, AC Crémant de Bordeaux, France

20 Monday Oct 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $22.95 (Clearance: $18.95 & $15.05 depending on the store)
Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Semillon
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henri D’Augan
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A versatile, elegant, easy drinking sparkling brut rosé. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Peach, pear, honeydew melon,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: It’s a steal if you can get it at $15.05 as I did.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Spanish Eggs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 19, 2025

LCBO: 42003

EL TOCADOR OLD VINES TEMPRANILLO 2023, Castilla – La Mancha, Spain

19 Sunday Oct 2025

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines, Vegan Friendly

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $11.95 (On sale until Nov 9/25: $10.95)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Castilla – La Mancha
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Hammeken Cellars
Alcohol: 14.00% Alcohol/Vol.

A great alternative to U.S. Cabs that are around $20 mark, but this one is half the price & has better structure. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, mild tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Blueberry jam, dark cherry, raspberry, mocha, cherry cola, cloves, milk chocolate, cooked spinach & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan Friendly

Winemaker’s Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Hungarian Goulash.

My Opinion: Recommended

Amazing & Best Buy

Tasted: October 18, 2025

LCBO: 44192

SMOKY BAY BUTTERY CHARDONNAY OPULENCE COLLECTION, NV, Australia

18 Thursday Sep 2025

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until Oct 12, 2025: $12.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Smoky Bay
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An entry Aussy Chard that’s has character, good value, but it’s not overtly buttery. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, orange zest, peach, pear, green apples & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Don’t use glassware for oaked Chard as it will show more flatness than using a Chablis style glassware.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Amazing & Best Buy

Tasted: September 17, 2025

LCBO: 40373

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY LES MARMITONS NIAGARA GASTRONOMY PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2024, VAQ St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

23 Saturday Aug 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés, Winery Review Series

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $22.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice sour base rosé. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, rhubarb & cranberry.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with Chinese food.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 18, 2025

QUEENSTON MILE SMALL BATCH RESERVE ROSÉ 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

08 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $19.95
Grape: 50% Cabernet, 50% Pinot Meunier
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best rosés without the high cost. This delicious off-dry rosé is full flavoured & juicy. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Rosé red in colour with good acidity, a medium intense+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing Cherries, Fuji Apples & strawberries.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The use of 50% Pinot Meunier, a grape used in Champagne.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with chicken wings

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: August 7, 2025

BARON DE LEY RIOJA RESERVA 2019, DOC Rioja, Spain

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $24.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Baron De Ley
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Rioja reserva with nice fruits & spice. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense+ nose, grainy tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, black currants, mulberry, blackberries, raspberry, Allspice, cassis & cinnamon.

Negatives: 14.5% alcohol

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged for a minimum of 20 months in oak casks & then matured in bottle to complete its evolution.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with rack of lamb.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 24, 2025

LCBO:  23760

RIDGE ROAD ESTATE WINERY GAMAY NOIR 2023, VQA Ontario, Canada

16 Wednesday Jul 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $21.95
Grape: Gamay Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ridge Road Estate Winery Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality made Gamay with tart fruit & spice. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, cranberry, rhubarb, strawberry, black pepper, cloves & cassis.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with panzerotti.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 14, 2025

13th STREET WINERY CHARDONNAY 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

01 Tuesday Jul 2025

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

My new Ontario best Chard at under $30. Beautifully made, elegant, creamy with vibrant tropical fruits & some spice. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, green & golden apples, mango, ginger, oak spice & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes for our Chardonnay 2023 come from select vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula appellation. They were harvested in late September and early October and fermented and aged in French oak and acacia barrels of a variety of sizes (228L, 400L, and 500L). There were 100% malolactic fermentations. After rigorous tasting, winemaker Jean-Pierre Colas decided on the final blend and bottled the wine in January 2025, following light fining and filtration.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Fogo Island cod, soy ginger glaze, charred shitake mushrooms & green garlic.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: June 29, 2025

DOPPIO PASSO PRIMITIVO ROSATO 2024, IGT Puglia, Italy

22 Sunday Jun 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $13.55
Grape: Primitivo
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Doppio Passo
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

I love a great surprise in trying a new wine that is low in cost and this one scores. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Rose gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Pink grapefruit, cranberry, watermelon & thyme.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “The must is left on the skins for about 12 hours at a controlled temperature. After soft-pressing, the must is left to ferment at a controlled temperature between 16-18°C in stainless steel vats, in order to exalt its freshness and aromatic notes. The wine is then stored at 17-18°C in steel tanks until bottling.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with charcuterie.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 21, 2025

LCBO:  23760

RED HOUSE WINE CO. BACO CABERNET SAUVIGNON NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

06 Friday Jun 2025

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $13.95 (on sale until June 22, 2025: $11.95)
Grape: Baco Noir & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Red House Wine Co.
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Score a big wine for the Speck brothers and for Ontario, for making an inexpensive red wine that has substance, easy to drink & delicious Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium bright ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry pie, plum, mulberry, blackberry, ripe tamarind, white pepper, cassis & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Can’t beat this wine at the price, especially at the sale price.

Winemaker’s Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with BBQ hamburgers

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: June 5, 2025

LCBO:  279521