Category Archives: Best Buys

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

GRAN FEUDO ROSÉ 2018, Navarra, Spain

07 Thursday May 2020

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $12.85 (Sale price until May 24: $11.35)
Grape: 38% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo, 21% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Navarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gran Feudo
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably one of the best Rosé you can find for under $13

Tasting Note: Rich pomegranate colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & an average length on the finish. Wine features strawberry, Dragon Fruit, orange.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: On the label it list Syrah but not Granache as one of the grapes used. However, on the Gran Feudo’s website it’s the opposite.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with BBQ spare ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

Tasted: May 7, 2020

LCBO: 165845

PENINSULA RIDGE RESERVE SYRAH 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

06 Wednesday May 2020

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $17.30)
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking Ontario Syrah made in the classic Rhone style & it’s great deal at the clearance price if you can find it

Tasting Note: Light+ ruby colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, medium to mild tannin & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, mulberry, plum, clove, white & black peppers and a slight smokiness on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: For some reason if you buy it at the winery, the cost is $30.15?!

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with braised beef short-ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 6, 2020

LCBO: 230896

DOMAINE DE SÉRAME VIOGNIER 2017, IGP Pays D’Oc, France

05 Tuesday May 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $13.95 (Clearance price: $11.20)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Southern France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château de Sérame
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple yet elegant wine; very pleasant to drink at a good price

Tasting Note: Straw colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features apricot, peach, pear, lemon & cloves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic wine

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with poached salmon.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 5, 2020

LCBO: 10631

CUVÉE L’ÉQUILIBRE 2016, AOC Pézenas, Coteaux de Languedoc, France

03 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $17.95
Grape: 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache Noir, 20%Carignan
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pézenas, Coteaux de Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Symposia
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious classic Southern French rustic style wine

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, medium tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, plum, strawberry, white pepper, peppercorn, Allspice, tarragon, sandalwood & purple lilac on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic wine

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 2, 2020

LCBO: 298620

CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE CHARDONNAY 2017, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States of America

30 Thursday Apr 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ste Michelle Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Great balance between the oak, fruit & acidity that makes this a pleasant drinking Chard

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & red apples, pineapples, mangos, peach, dill, light oak spice & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sur lie aged for more than six months in a mix of French and American oak barrels (10% new). 42% tank fermented Chardonnay was added to the blend to make a fresh style of Chardonnay.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with scallops on a bed of greens.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 30, 2020

LCBO: 232439

OAK BAY GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2015, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

30 Thursday Apr 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $17.95 (Clearance price: $14.40
Grape: Gewürztraminer
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: St. Hubertus Winery Ltd
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Alsace style Gewürz that is delicious & at a great price

Tasting Note: Deep yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lychee, honeydew melon, peach, key lime pie with rose petals on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The winery is sustainable & organic.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Jamaican jerk chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 29, 2020

LCBO: 11814

LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D’OR BRUT CRÉMANT BOURGOGNE 2012, Méthode Traditionnelle, Ac Burgundy, France

26 Sunday Apr 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis Bouillot
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This has become one of my favourite sparkling wines or Champagnes as this vintage wine (8 yrs old) has a beautiful nose, complexity & is truly a really pleasant sparkling wine to drink for a great price.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features toasted bread, brioche, Anjou pear, peach, apricots, green apples, Honeycrisp apples, vanilla, & Honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Besides the taste, I love the look of the bottle

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with strawberry crepes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 26, 2020

LCBO: 51565

BERINGER NAPA VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2017, Napa Valley, California, United States of America

22 Wednesday Apr 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $25.95 (Sale price until April 26, 2020: $22.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: California
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beringer
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of my top Chards anywhere in the world & one of the few wines that I will drink  that has a high alcohol level because it’s so delicious with lots of tropical fruits, nice creaminess, good acidity & not overtly oaked.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, peach, mangos, pineapple, Spy apples, crème brûlée, ginger, oak spice & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: High alcohol

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster & drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 22, 2020

LCBO: 84988

E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2018, AC Côtes du Rhône, France

20 Monday Apr 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $18.95
Grape: 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8% Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, 2% Grenache blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Southern Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E. Guigal
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy & creamy. This is a baby Condrieu: Condrieu’s are the gold standards of Viognier & priced from $50 & up, thus meaning it’s awesome at this price

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features juicy peach, apricot, Kent mango & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Conch Ceviche with Scotch Bonnet

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 20, 2020

LCBO: 290296

STARS BRUT NATURE RESERVA CAVA 2016, DO Cava, Spain

19 Sunday Apr 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $16.95
Grape: 40% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada, 30% Macabeu
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castillo Perelada
Alcohol:  11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Cava, so pleasant just makes me smile when I drink it & the price point helps

Tasting Note: Bright straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, fine mousse & long length on the finish. Wine features yeast, brioche, pear, green apples, lemon rind, orange & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: On the back label the have taken out Macabeu & replaced it with Chardonnay. However, on the winery’s website it list Macabeu not Chard.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Maple Syrup flavoured bacon.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Best Buy

Tasted: April 19, 2020

LCBO: 515221