WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: 20 wines under & over $20 for the APRIL 25, 2026 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  20 wines under & over $20 for the APRIL 25, 2026 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, wine writer since 1968 and owner of Gothic Epicures Writing --- deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to individual wines, beers and spirits, has been at  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes (below) for TOP wines available through the LCBO Vintages New Releases (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca  or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor -- no winery can buy their way into – or out of – my publications. Not all wines are available in every LCBO store.

What is a TOP wine? Terrific-Occasional-Personal--- A TOP wine can be expressed as 88+ points, or Silver/Gold Medal, or described as BETTER/BEST, or 4/5 ****/***** Stars (out of?) and other such categories [in the 1950s such categories were titled "dandy, so-so, punk and lousy"]. My evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone wine should taste like Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price). 

ROSE TABLE WINE [under $20]

24747 LA POSTA MALBEC ROSÉ 2025 ARGENTINA $15.95
49376 WAKEFIELD ESTATE PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2025 AUSTRALIA $19.95
117861 FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ 2025 VQA $16.95
49255 TOLLO ROCCA VENTOSA CERASUOLO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO ROSÉ $15.95

TOP White Wines UNDER $20 in this release.
=========================================
599274 DR. L RIESLING MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER $17.95 
49217 JASCI & MARCHESANI TERRE DI CHIETI PECORINO 2024 ABRUZZO $16.95
49598 ZUCCARDI BRAZOS DE LOS ANDES CHARDONNAY 2025 ARGENTINA $17.95
A662775 D'ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER/MARSANNE 2025 AUSTRALIA $17.95
224626 JOSEPH CATTIN GEWURZTRAMINER 2024 ALSACE $18.98
36907 INVINITI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 NEW ZEALAND $18.95
21151 ALVI'S DRIFT SIGNATURE CHARDONNAY 2024 SOUTH AFRICA $14.95

TOP Red Wines UNDER $20 for this release.
========================================
50391 LAGAR DE ROBLA COLECCIÓN 4 HERMANOS MENCÍA 2023 SPAIN $18.00
640854 SALENTEIN RESERVE MALBEC 2023 ARGENTINA $19.95
555722 SOPHENIA ALTOSUR ORGANIC CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2024 $17.95
631820 DESQUICIADO MALBEC 2024 $15.95
12846 SIDEWOOD STABLEMATE SHIRAZ 2021 AUSTRALIA $17.95
50347 HINTERBROOK NOMAD MERLOT 2022 VQA $19.95
974402 PROVOLO CAMPOTORBIAN RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2020 $19.95
49910 RAVASQUEIRA ENCANTADO TINTO 2024 PORTUGAL $17.95
431064 HERDADE PESO TRINCA BOLOTAS TINTO 2024 PORTUGAL $18.95

TOP White Wines OVER  $20 in this release.
=========================================
566026 CAVE SPRING CSV CAVE SPRING VINEYARD ESTATE GROWN RIESLING 2023 VQA $34.96
578864 LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2024 VQA $26.95
50342 CREW FUMÉ BLANC 2023 VQA $20.95

TOP Red Wines OVER $20 for this release.
=======================================
942607 RICASOLI CASTELLO DI BROLIO GRAN SELEZIONE GAIOLE CHIANTI $49.95
930966 ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 675B 12 $26.95
94126 ATAMISQUE CATALPA MALBEC 2023 ARGENTINA $22.95 
668582 ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP LOVE SYMBOL GRENACHE 2023 AUSTRALIA $21.95
23343 HEIRLOOM MCLAREN VALE SHIRAZ 2022 AUSTRALIA $23.95
49382 CAPE MENTELLE MARMADUKE SHIRAZ 2023 AUSTRALIA $22.95 
520379 BACHELDER WISMER-PARKE SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2023 VQA $65.00
26503 SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE GAMAY 2021 VQA $28.95
43618 DOMAINE QUEYLUS DROITE 2023 VQA $45.70

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offer selections...these  are "better" value...on sale  through April 26 -- better HURRY!!!

WHITE WINES

Flat Rock Twisted White VQA
$16.95 $18.95 Save $2.00

Kim Crawford Chardonnay
$16.95 $20.95 Save $4.00

Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 
$18.95 $21.95 Save $3.00

Oyster Bay Chardonnay 
$18.95 $20.95 Save $2.00

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc
$16.95 $20.95 Save $4.00

Malivoire Estate Grown Chardonnay VQA 
$22.95 $24.95 Save $2.00

Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc
$29.95 $31.95 Save $2.00

Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling VQA 
$17.95 $19.95 Save $2.00

Casas del Bosque Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 
$15.95 $17.95 Save $2.00
25 bonus points


RED WINES

Emiliana Coyam Organic Red Blend
$26.95 $29.95 Save $3.00
100 bonus points

Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon
$20.95 $22.95 Save $2.00

Monasterio de las Viñas Gran Reserva
$20.95 $22.95 Save $2.00

Kim Crawford Pinot Noir
$19.95 $22.95 Save $3.00

San Felice Chianti Classico
$19.95 $21.95 Save $2.00

13th Street Gamay VQA
$17.95 $19.95 Save $2.00

Tedeschi Amarone della Valpolicella 
$47.95 $50.95 Save $3.00

Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 
$17.95 $19.95 Save $2.00


FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: 20 wines under & over $20 for the APRIL 11, 2026 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  20 wines under & over $20 for the APRIL 11, 2026 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, wine writer since 1968 and owner of Gothic Epicures Writing --- deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to individual wines, beers and spirits, has been at  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes (below) for TOP wines available through the LCBO Vintages New Releases (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca  or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor -- no winery can buy their way into – or out of – my publications. Not all wines are available in every LCBO store.

What is a TOP wine? Terrific-Occasional-Personal--- A TOP wine can be expressed as 88+ points, or Silver/Gold Medal, or described as BETTER/BEST, or 4/5 ****/***** Stars (out of?) and other such categories [in the 1950s such categories were titled "dandy, so-so, punk and lousy"]. My evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone wine should taste like Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price). 

THEME • NEW ZEALAND

SPARKLING WINE
[FIZZ--42057 ACKERMAN BULLE ROYALE CRÉMANT DE LOIRE BRUT SPARKLING $20.95
280172 OYSTER BAY ROSÉ SPARKLING CUVÉE NEW ZEALAND $23.95]

[ROSE -- 32422 LYV ROSÉ LANGUEDOC $19.95
49070 LUBANZI CINSAULT ROSÉ 2025 SOUTH AFRICA $18.95]

TOP White Wines UNDER $20 in this release.
=========================================
413757 MAISON COUILLAUD RÉSERVE DU CHIRON MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE LOIRE $16.95
48332 CHÂTEAU DE NAGES HÉRITAGE BLANC 2023 RHONE $19.95
40537 NOVUS ALTITUDE ASSYRTIKO/MOSCHOFILERO/MALAGOUSIA 2024 GREECE $17.95
117945 TAHBILK MARSANNE 2024 AUSTRALIA $19.95 
35860 CHÂTEAU ROQUEFORT LES ROCHES BLANCHES SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 BORDEAUX $15.95
19767 TIKI SINGLE VINEYARD NORTH CANTERBURY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 NEW ZEALAND $19.95
47918 THORNBURY WAIRPARA PINOT GRIS 2024 NEW ZEALAND $18.95 
10020 HÃHÃ HAWKE'S BAY CHARDONNAY 2024 NEW ZEALAND $19.95 
13338 RADFORD DALE VINUM CHENIN BLANC 2023 SOUTH AFRICA $19.95 

TOP Red Wines UNDER $20 for this release.
========================================
29280 TERRAZAS DE LOS ANDES RESERVA ORGANIC MALBEC 2023 $19.95
41309 STONEHAVEN STEPPING STONE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 AUSTRALIA $16.95
471854 RIOJA VEGA CRIANZA 2021 $16.95
166579 MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA 2022 SPAIN $17.95
358127 DANDELION VINEYARDS LIONHEART OF THE BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2023 $12.95
119354 CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES $19.95
11152 COUTADA VELHA SIGNATURE RED 2022 PORTUGAL $14.95
13439 CHÂTEAU DE MONTFAUCON LA CÔTE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 $18.95
309260 LE GRAVILLAS SÉGURET CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2022 $19.95
15495 3 RINGS SHIRAZ 2023 AUSTRALIA $18.95
632091 BLEASDALE BROAD-SIDE SHIRAZ/CABERNET SAUVIGNON/MALBEC AUSTRALIA 2023 $19.95
494039 DOMAINE LAFAGE CAYROL VIEILLES VIGNES CARIGNAN 2023 $19.95

TOP White Wines OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================
46824 CULMINA DILEMMA CHARDONNAY 2022 BC VQA $39.95
523845 CHARLES BAKER B-SIDE RIESLING 2024 VQA $24.95
431593 TAWSE LIMESTONE RIDGE-NORTH RIESLING 2024 VQA $24.95
36446 PANIZZI VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO 2024 TUSCANY $25.95
536177 TOHU AWATERE VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 NEW ZEALAND $22.95
47914 LOVEBLOCK ORGANIC PINOT GRIS NEW ZEALAND $23.95 

TOP Red Wines OVER $20 for this release.
=======================================
20422 HIDDEN BENCH GAMAY 2023 VQA $29.95
48145 AVES DEL SUR GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2020 $25.95
41331 LAURENT PERRACHON VIEILLES VIGNES FLEURIE 2023 $20.95
404285 CHÂTEAU PLAISANCE BORDEAUX SUPÉRIEUR 2019 $26.95
48976 DOMAINE DU BEAUREGARD CUVÉE ORIGINE BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR $28.95
716266 SAN FELICE IL GRIGIO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 $29.95
429415 FRESCOBALDI CAMPO AI SASSI ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2021 $22.95
630939 RICASOLI BROLIO BETTINO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 $28.95
551796 CARPINETO ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2023 $29.95

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offer selections...these  are "better" value...on sale through April 26

WHITE WINES

Flat Rock Twisted White VQA
$16.95 $18.95 Save $2.00

Kim Crawford Chardonnay
$16.95 $20.95 Save $4.00

Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 
$18.95 $21.95 Save $3.00

Oyster Bay Chardonnay 
$18.95 $20.95 Save $2.00

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc
$16.95 $20.95 Save $4.00

Malivoire Estate Grown Chardonnay VQA 
$22.95 $24.95 Save $2.00

Willm Reserve Pinot Gris
$17.95 $19.95 Save $2.00

Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc
$29.95 $31.95 Save $2.00

Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling VQA 
$17.95 $19.95 Save $2.00

Casas del Bosque Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 
$15.95 $17.95 Save $2.00
25 bonus points


RED WINES

Calvet Réserve des Remparts Saint-Émilion 
$22.95 $24.95 Save $2.00

Emiliana Coyam Organic Red Blend
$26.95 $29.95 Save $3.00
100 bonus points

Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon
$20.95 $22.95 Save $2.00

Monasterio de las Viñas Gran Reserva
$20.95 $22.95 Save $2.00

Kim Crawford Pinot Noir
$19.95 $22.95 Save $3.00

San Felice Chianti Classico
$19.95 $21.95 Save $2.00

13th Street Gamay VQA
$17.95 $19.95 Save $2.00

Tedeschi Amarone della Valpolicella 
$47.95 $50.95 Save $3.00

Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 
$17.95 $19.95 Save $2.00

FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

Virus-free.www.avg.com

The term: VINOSITY

I thought I'd try getting answers from AI tools -- such as Google. So I started with wine. Using VINOSITY. Google came up with three annotated sources; I combined them all into the following...I seek no personal ownership...

AI Overview

Vinosity refers to the essential, characteristic, and "wine-like" qualities of a wine—specifically its body, colour, taste, and alcoholic strength.

VINOSITY definition: the collective characteristics of a wine, especially its distinctive taste. Vinosity is the essential quality or heart of a wine. It's clear that alcohol plays a central role in vinosity.

It describes the pleasant, warming, and slightly caustic sensation caused by alcohol, which should integrate with the wine's bouquet and flavor, often found in balanced wines (11-13% ABV). 

Key Aspects of Vinosity
--Definition: The combined taste, aroma, and body that give a wine its unique, "vinous" character.
--Role of Alcohol: Vinosity is strongly associated with alcohol content; it provides a "warm" sensation, though it should never feel harshly alcoholic or "hot".
--Balance: A wine with high vinosity is often described as full-bodied, well-structured, and rich.
--Usage in Tasting: It is often used to describe red wines with strong, distinctive characters or well-aged, robust wines. 

Common Descriptors

    "Good vinosity" (good balance).
    "Warm" or "agreeably caustic" (referring to the alcohol sensation).
    "Strong" or "high". 

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

Virus-free.www.avg.com

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: 20 wines under & over $20 for the March 21, 2026 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  20 wines under & over $20 for the March 21, 2026 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, wine writer since 1968 and owner of Gothic Epicures Writing --- deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to individual wines, beers and spirits, has been at  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes (below) for TOP wines available through the LCBO Vintages New Releases (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca  or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor -- no winery can buy their way into – or out of – my publications. Not all wines are available in every LCBO store.

What is a TOP wine? Terrific-Occasional-Personal--- A TOP wine can be expressed as 88+ points, or Silver/Gold Medal, or described as BETTER/BEST, or 4/5 ****/***** Stars (out of?) and other such categories [in the 1950s such categories were titled "dandy, so-so, punk and lousy"]. My evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone wine should taste like Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price). 

THEME • Easter

FIZZ [48072 PERE VENTURA PRIMER EXTRA DRY ROSE CAVA $18.95]
[36172 BEDIN ASOLO EXTRA DRY PROSECCO SUPERIORE $18.95] 

TOP White Wines UNDER $20 in this release.
=========================================
41435 EVANS & TATE WILD CAPE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 AUSTRALIA $19.95
186346 SIDEWOOD CHARDONNAY 2024 AUSTRALIA $18.95 
11947 ROSEWOOD RIESLING 2023 VQA $19.95
13860 VIU MANENT GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2023 CHILE $16.95
46876 PRAISE BISTRO BLANC MARSANNE/VIOGNIER 2024 LANGUEDOC
$18.95
47322 CLAUDE-MICHEL PICHON CHENIN BLANC 2024 LOIRE
$15.95
47650 CAVINO HISTOROOTS ASSYRTIKO 2024 GREECE $15.95
447425 MOUNT RILEY LIMITED RELEASE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 NEW ZEALAND $19.95
391649 DUQUESA DE VALLADOLID VERDEJO 2024 SPAIN $15.95

TOP Red Wines UNDER $20 for this release.
========================================
166298 LA POSTA PIZZELLA FAMILY MALBEC 2024 ARGENTINA $18.95 
21992 SUR DE LOS ANDES RESERVA CABERNET FRANC 2022 PATAGONIA  $16.95 
325670 EMILIANA SIGNOS DE ORIGEN PINOT NOIR 2022 CHILE
$18.95 
212407 EMILIANA WINEMAKER'S SELECTION SYRAH 2022 CHILE$18.95
446245 CHÂTEAU DE MARSAN 2022 BORDEAUX $19.95
11838 CHÂTEAU LE CAP 2022 BORDEAUX $18.95
46339 PRAISE BISTRO ROUGE PAYS D'OC 2024 LANGUEDOC $18.95 
561290 LOUIS BERNARD COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES 2023 $16.95 
278150 NIRO DI CITRA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $17.95 
161844 VILLA GIRARDI BURE ALTO RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2022 $19.95
247973 CABRIZ COLHEITA SELECIONADA 2022 PORTUGAL $14.95 

TOP White Wines OVER  $20 in this release.
=========================================
918805 CATENA HIGH MOUNTAIN VINES CHARDONNAY 2024 ARGENTINA $21.95
149302 FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2024 VQA $24.95
949768 INAMA VIN SOAVE CLASSICO 2024 VENETO $23.95
663286 AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 NEW ZEALAND $21.95
 
TOP Red Wines OVER $20 for this release.
=======================================
118067 VIÑA COBOS FELINO MALBEC 2024 MENDOZA $20.95
9175 ELDERTON CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 AUSTRALIA $27.95
142687 KACABA MERLOT 2021 VQA $35.15
523001 CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CABERNET FRANC 2024 VQA $24.95 
427500 WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2021 VQA $33.95
33994 BACHELDER WISMER-FOXCROFT VINEYARD GAMAY NOIR 2023 VQA $33
566844 FAMILLE PERRIN LES CORNUDS VINSOBRES RHÔNE $21.95 

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these  are "better" value...on sale through March 29
FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]

W H I T E W I N ES
KIM CRAWFORD CHARDONNAY
Marlborough/Hawke's Bay, East Coast,
New Zealand
991950 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00

THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER'S
BLEND RIESLING 6
VQA Beamsville Bench,
Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
24133 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00

TIEFENBRUNNER PINOT GRIGIO
IGT Vigneti delle Dolomiti,
Alto Adige-Trentino, Italy
474742 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

OYSTER BAY PINOT GRIGIO
Hawke's Bay, North Island,
New Zealand
326090 (XD – 4 g/L)
750 ml REG. $20.95
NOW $17.95

VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION
ST. URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING 6
VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
38117 (M – 34 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00

R E D  W I N ES

BORSAO TRES PICOS GARNACHA
DO Campo de Borja, Spain
273748 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

CHÂTEAU TEYSSIER
AC Montagne-Saint-Émilion,
Bordeaux, France
226035 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $25.95 Save $2.00

KILIKANOON KILLERMAN'S
RUN SHIRAZ
Clare Valley, South Australia
925453 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

LAN CRIANZA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
166538 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00

MAZZEI SER LAPO RISERVA
CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
288530 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00

MONTE ANTICO
IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
69377 (D – 7 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00

OYSTER BAY PINOT NOIR
Marlborough, South Island,
New Zealand, sustainable
590414 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

PORCUPINE RIDGE SYRAH
WO Swartland, South Africa
595280 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $14.95 Save $3.00

DUCA DI SARAGNANO ALCHYMIA PRIMITIVO
IGT Puglia, Italy
636613 (M – 17 g/L)
750 ml REG. $23.95
NOW $20.95

RICASOLI ROCCA GUICCIARDA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
943613 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00

RUFFINO RISERVA DUCALE ORO
GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
353201 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $49.95
NOW $44.95 Save $5.00

SELLA & MOSCA RISERVA
CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA
DOC, Sardinia, Italy
425488 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00

SIERRA CANTABRIA GARNACHA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
45091 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $30.95 Save $2.00

TERRA VEGA CARMENÈRE KPM
Central Valley, Chile
354761 (D – 2 g/L) 750 ml $13.00
NOW $12.00 Save $1.00

THE BLACK CHOOK SHIRAZ VIOGNIER
South Australia
66738 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

THE FOREIGN AFFAIR THE CONSPIRACY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
149237 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00

TRIUS RED 'THE ICON' 
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
303800 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $24.95 Save $3.00

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL SHIRAZ
Clare Valley, South Australia
943787 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

ZENATO RIPASSA VALPOLICELLA
RIPASSO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
479766 (D – 10 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

THE ANNUAL GRAND ICE ITALIAN WINE TASTING 2025

The Date and Time: November 3, 2025, 11:30 to 5PM
The Event: THE ANNUAL GRAND ICE ITALIAN WINE TASTING
The Venue: Roy Thomson Hall, as always
The Target Audience: wine trade and wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: none -- use your camera! No printed book.
The Quote/Background: the tasters this year seemed to be younger than usual.
The Wines: of course I could not taste all the wines since there were over 350 to sample. So I did the best I could with what I had. Some of these wines have been announced for 2026 release (e.g.from Inama and Mazzei). Prices are given if known.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-La Sala del Torriano Chianti Classico Riserva (organic)
-Mazzei Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2022 (June 2026)
-Mazzei Set Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 Vintages Essential
-Mazzeii Fonterutoli Toscana IGT 2021
-Mazzei Siepi Toscana IGT 2021 Cellar Selection
-Viberti Moscato d'Asti 2024 Piedmont $20.66
-Viberti Pubblicano Doglia Dolcetto 2023 Piedmont $24.26
-Viberti Nebbiolo Langhe 2023 Piedmont $33.26
-Tenuta il Falchetto Alta Langa Chardonnay 2020 
-Borgogno Barolo 2018
-Albino Armani Veneto Prosecco
-Di Sipio Wine Pecorino Abruzzo 2024
-Viberti Buon Padre Barolo 2021 $62.06
-Viberti San Pedro Barolo Riserva 2019 $144.86
-Viberti Bricco delle Viole Nebbiolo Piedmont 2019 $167.36
-Inama Soave Classico 2023 (2024 on the way)
-Inama Chardonnay Del Veneto IGT 2024
-Inama Vulcaia Sauvignon Del Veneto IGT 2024 Vintages 2026
-Tenute Orestiadi Kemar Catarratto 2024 $20.99 Rogers
-Il Rosso di Ludovico Riserva 2020 $21.95 Rogers
-Aurelio Settimo Langhe Nebbiolo 2022  Profile
-Aurelio Settimo Barolo 2019  Profile
-Aurelio Settimo Barolo DOCG Rocche Dell' Annunziata 2020  Profile
-Aurelio Settimo Barolo Riserva Rocche dell' Annunziata DOCG 2019  Profile
-Il Conte Villa Prandone Zipolo
-Il Conte Villa Prandone Belva di Terra
-Il Conte Villa Prandone Lu Kont
-Il Conte Villa Prandone Marinus



***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86 – 89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Viberti Derthona Timorasso 2023 Piedmont $45.86
-Viberti Rinato Chardonnay 2023 Piedmont $62.05
-Viberti La Volta Barolo Riserva 2019 $144.86
-Massimago Gastone Amarone 2020 $74.95
-Orestiadi Mazal Frappato 2022 $18.95 LCB0 Rogers
-Il Rosso di Ludovico Bianco 2021 $18.95 LCBO Rogers
-Idi di Marzo Vulgaris Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 
-Idi di Marzo 1910  Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 
-Idi di Marzo Pecorino Oro del Mare d'Abruzzo 
-Idi di Marzo Trebbiano Sette Vizi  d'Abruzzo
-Venchiarezza Friuli Chardonnay 2024 $29.95 Living Vine
-Carobbio Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
- 
The Food: an assortment of Italian meat and cheese boards (including creamy gorgonzola, prosciutto. dried fruit), complemented by cooked pasta with veal and/or veggies (agnolotti al burro, agnolotti verde) -- all catered by EATALY. There were three stations for buffets.
The Downside: it got really crowded really fast
The Upside: there was a seminar on slow Italian wines.
The Contact Person: b.marassi@ice.it
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade):89

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: 20 wines under/over $20 for the March 7, 2026 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  20 wines under/over $20 for the March 7, 2026 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, wine writer since 1968 and owner of Gothic Epicures Writing --- deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to individual wines, beers and spirits, has been at  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes (below) for TOP wines available through the LCBO Vintages New Releases (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca  or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor -- no winery can buy their way into – or out of – my publications. Not all wines are available in every LCBO store.

What is a TOP wine? Terrific-Occasional-Personal--- A TOP wine can be expressed as 88+ points, or Silver/Gold Medal, or described as BETTER/BEST, or 4/5 ****/***** Stars (out of?) and other such categories [in the 1950s such categories were titled "dandy, so-so, punk and lousy"]. My evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone wine should taste like Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price). 

THEME • Women in Wine

TOP White Wines UNDER $20 in this release.
=========================================

[FIZZ+650648 PARÉS BALTÀ BRUT CAVA $17.95]
702845 D'ARENBERG THE OLIVE GROVE CHARDONNAY AUSTRALIA $17.95
356873 FLAT ROCK GOOD KHARMA CHARDONNAY VQA 2024 $17.95 
541854 VILLA SPARINA GAVI DI GAVI PIEDMONT $19.95
224428 JULES TAYLOR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 NEW ZEALAND
$19.95
527622 ZACCAGNINI TRALCETTO PINOT GRIGIO ABRUZZO
$18.95 
 

TOP Red Wines UNDER $20 for this release.
========================================
10971 INFINITO WINEMAKER'S SELECTION MALBEC 2023 ARGENTINA
$15.95
46401 CHAKANA NUNA VINEYARD MALBEC 2022 ARGENTINA
$16.95
50121 HINTERBROOK NOMAD HUMBLE 2023 VQA $19.95
569699 TABALÍ PEDREGOSO GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 CHILE $19.95
40964 CHÂTEAU DE NAGES HÉRITAGE COSTIÈRES DE NÎMES 2023 RHONE $19.95
48276 DOMAINE GIOULIS AGIORGITIKO 2023 GREECE $18.95
994616 TERRA D'ALIGI TATONE MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2022 $17.95
46569 MASSERIA SORANÌ PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2021 $19.95
70730 HERDADE SÃO MIGUEL COLHEITA SELECCIONADA TINTO 2022 PORTUGAL $16.95
44964 MARCO REAL SYRAH 2023 SPAIN $17.95

TOP White Wines OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================

[FIZZ+48055 TAWSE SPARK QUARRY ROAD BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING 2017 VQA $39.95]

390203 MONTES ALPHA CHARDONNAY CHILE 2023 $21.95 
545004 MISSION HILL RESERVE CHARDONNAY BC VQA $27.95
747600 PIERRE SPARR GRANDE RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER ALSACE $20.95
359760 THIRTY BENCH SMALL LOT WOOD POST VINEYARD RIESLING 2021 VQA $28.95
256552 CAVE SPRING ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2024 VQA $24.95
466144 J. MOREAU & FILS GLORIE DE CHABLIS 2024 $31.95
10421 ASTROLABE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 $24.95


TOP Red Wines OVER $20 for this release.
=======================================
13990 TYRRELL'S HUNTER VALLEY SHIRAZ 2023 AUSTRALIA
$24.95
142398 WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 AUSTRALIA
$24.95
633628 MISSION HILL FAMILY ESTATE RESERVE MERITAGE BC-VQA $32.95 
553313 MISSION HILL RESERVE MERLOT BC-VQA $32.95
50114 RAVINE CABERNET FRANC 2021 BC-VQA $29.95
576314 KONZELMANN BARREL AGED RESERVE SERIES CABERNET/MERLOT 2022 BC-VQA $24.95
906073 FAMILLE PERRIN LA GILLE GIGONDAS 2021 $32.95
47575 DOMAINE LES EVIGNEAUX RASTEAU 2022 $26.95 
47667 COS CERASUOLO DI VITTORIA CLASSICO 2022 SICILY $44.95 
325654 STONELEIGH LATITUDE PINOT NOIR NEW ZEALAND $23.95 

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: save on these wines from March 2 to March 29, 2026
FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]

WHITE WINES
FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE
DOP, Abruzzo, Italy
573683 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00

KIM CRAWFORD CHARDONNAY
Marlborough/Hawke's Bay, East Coast,
New Zealand
991950 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00

THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER'S
BLEND RIESLING 6
VQA Beamsville Bench,
Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
24133 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00

TIEFENBRUNNER PINOT GRIGIO
IGT Vigneti delle Dolomiti,
Alto Adige-Trentino, Italy
474742 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

OYSTER BAY PINOT GRIGIO
Hawke's Bay, North Island,
New Zealand
326090 (XD – 4 g/L)
750 ml REG. $20.95
NOW $17.95

VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION
ST. URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING 6
VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
38117 (M – 34 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00

R E D  W I N ES

BORSAO TRES PICOS GARNACHA
DO Campo de Borja, Spain
273748 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

CHÂTEAU TEYSSIER
AC Montagne-Saint-Émilion,
Bordeaux, France
226035 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $25.95 Save $2.00

KILIKANOON KILLERMAN'S
RUN SHIRAZ
Clare Valley, South Australia
925453 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

LAN CRIANZA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
166538 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00

MAZZEI SER LAPO RISERVA
CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
288530 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00

MONTE ANTICO
IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
69377 (D – 7 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00

OYSTER BAY PINOT NOIR
Marlborough, South Island,
New Zealand, sustainable
590414 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

PORCUPINE RIDGE SYRAH
WO Swartland, South Africa
595280 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $14.95 Save $3.00

DUCA DI SARAGNANO ALCHYMIA PRIMITIVO
IGT Puglia, Italy
636613 (M – 17 g/L)
750 ml REG. $23.95
NOW $20.95

RICASOLI ROCCA GUICCIARDA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
943613 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00

RUFFINO RISERVA DUCALE ORO
GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
353201 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $49.95
NOW $44.95 Save $5.00

SELLA & MOSCA RISERVA
CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA
DOC, Sardinia, Italy
425488 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00

SIERRA CANTABRIA GARNACHA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
45091 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $30.95 Save $2.00

TERRA VEGA CARMENÈRE KPM
Central Valley, Chile
354761 (D – 2 g/L) 750 ml $13.00
NOW $12.00 Save $1.00

THE BLACK CHOOK SHIRAZ VIOGNIER
South Australia
66738 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

THE FOREIGN AFFAIR THE CONSPIRACY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
149237 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00

TRIUS RED 'THE ICON' 
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
303800 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $24.95 Save $3.00

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL SHIRAZ
Clare Valley, South Australia
943787 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

ZENATO RIPASSA VALPOLICELLA
RIPASSO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
479766 (D – 10 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00

** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season --- 

MARK CUFF'S ACID TRIP AT THE LIVING VINE PORTFOLIO SHOW

The Date and Time: Sunday November 2, 2025  1PM to 4PM
The Event: The Fall Living Vine portfolio tasting
The Venue:Society Clubhouse
The Target Audience: consumers, clients, wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are landed
The Quote/Background: there were nine tables supporting some 75 or so wines. This is a lead-in to the 20th anniversary of The Living Vine, founded by Mark Cuff to showcase a curated collection of biodynamic, organic, and natural wines from some of the world's leading producers. All wines reflect a true sense of place.
The Wines: I could not try them all...

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Therianthropy Bonnie Vivant Chardonnay VQA 2023, $32.95
-Therianthropy Mouflon Viognier/Marsanne/Chardonnay 2023 VQA 2023, Orange Wine $32.95
-Therianthropy Blonde Pet-Nat Chardonnay VQA 2023, $29.95
-Lightfoot & Wolfville Nova Scotia Ancienne Chardonnay 2021 $52.95 at LCBO
-Lightfoot & Wolfville Flora White, $35.95
-Marabino Rosso di Contrada Nero d'Avola, $32.95
-Braccia Rese Barba Vino Rosso 2020, $32.95
-Mas Goma La Planta Brut Nature NV, $32.95
-Vinedos Verticales La Raspa Moscatel/Doradilla 2023, $28.45
-Dominio de Punctum Pablo Claro Chardonnay Seleccion 2023, $20.95
-Fidora Monte Tabor Amarone 2015, $77.95
-Nicolas Joly Clos Le Vieux Clos 2023, $99.95
-Nicolas Joly Clos de la Bergerie 2023, $124.95
-Nicolas Joly Clos de laCoulee de Serrant 2023, $169.95
-AMI Homard d'Or Bourgogne Blanc 2023, $79.95
-Domaine Parent Cote d'Or Rouge 2022, $99.95
-Domaine Parent Pommard La Croix Blanche 2022, $179.95
-Pian Dell'Orino Brunello di Montalcino Vigneti del Versante, $249.95
-Pian Dell'Orino Rosso di Montalcino, $152.95
-Pian Dell'Orino Toscana Rosso Piandorino, $94.95 
-Clos Roussely L'Escale Sauvignon Blanc 2023, $27.94
-Clos de Sommere Bourgogne Blanc Les Nongelettes 2023, $42.95
-Clos de Sommere Saint-Veran Les Montceau 2023, $45.95
-Famille Fabre Pirouette en Corbieres Vermentino 2022, $23.95
-Meinklang Gruner Veltliner 2024, $26.95
-Ant Moore Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Marlborough, $25.95


***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86   89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Lightfoot & Wolfville Tidal Bay 2024 $35.95
-Filodivino Serra 64 Verdisshio dei Castelli di Jesi 2023, $26.95
-Venchiarezza Pinot Grigio 2024, $29.95
-Venchiarezza Chardonnay Friuli 2024, $29.95
-Cirelli White NV Abruzzo, $23.95
-Cirelli Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo 2023, $29.95
-Chateau Laubarit Bordeaux Blanc Entre-deux-Mers 2024, $28.95
-Martin Texier La Rouviere Blanc Rhone $37.95
-Vignoble du Rab Chinon 2023, $60.95

The Downside: no food
The Upside: no food
The Contact Person: mark@thelivingvine.ca
The Event s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88.

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

Virus-free.www.avg.com

REPORT ON CHILE PACIFICO 2025 TORONTO WINES OF CHILE

REPORT ON CHILE PACIFICO 2025 TORONTO WINES OF CHILE ANNUAL TRADE TASTING

The Date and Time: Monday October 27 2025 2PM - 5PM
The Event: WINES OF CHILE ANNUAL TRADE TASTING
The Venue: One King Street West
The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, agents
The Availability/Catalogue: the booklet showed a wide range of wines available through the LCBO or through an agent. Unlike earlier years, there were more wines over the $20 level. 16 wineries brought in 125 or so wines for sampling; most of them were reds.
The Quote/Background: Earlier there was a Pisco tasting. Also, some of the wineries were looking for agents to represent them in Ontario.
The Wines: I did not taste all the wines.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Vina Aresti Family Collection Assemblage 2020 $120 FOB
-Vina Aresti Trisquel Series Semillon 2024 $24.95
-Vina El Principal Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 $100
-Garces Silva Family Vineyards Amayna Cote d'Mar 2022 $39 Consignment The Vine
-Montes Outer Limits Albarino 2024 $24.95 Vintages 47156
-Montes Purple Angel 2021 $105.95 Vintages 62364 
-Montgras Ninquen CabSauv & Syrah 2022 $29.95
-Vina Perez Cruz Piedra Seca Cabernet Sauvignon 2023$22.95 Vintages
-Vina Perez Cruz Piedra Pircas Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 $42.95 Vintages Cellar Collection 536839
-VSPT Wine Group Chardonnay Leyda Lot 5 2023 $26.95


***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86   89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Vina Aresti Reserva Chardonnay 2023 $34 FOB
-Vina Aresti Espiritu de Chile Sauvignon Blanc $18 FOB
-Bodega Volcanes de Chile Parinacota $39.95
-Garces Silva Family Vineyards Amayna Sauvignon Blanc 2025 $28.99 The Vine
-Vina Marea Sauvignon Blanc 2024 $24.95
-Vina Santa Carolina Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 $19.95 Vintages Essential
-Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2023 $17.95 Vintages
-Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $18.95 Vintages

The Food: cheese and meat boards, marinated veggies (red peppers, tomatoes), focaccia and breads, artichokes, waitstaff did walk around platters.
The Downside: it got crowded really quickly
The Upside: a good chance to taste some of the more expensive wines from Chile.
The Contact Person: lisa@androscom.com
The Event s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88.

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

Virus-free.www.avg.com

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: 20 wines under & over $20 for the February 21, 2026 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  20 wines under & over $20 for the February 21, 2026 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, wine writer since 1968 and owner of Gothic Epicures Writing --- deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to individual wines, beers and spirits, has been at  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes (below) for TOP wines available through the LCBO Vintages New Releases (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca  or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor -- no winery can buy their way into – or out of – my publications. Not all wines are available in every LCBO store.

What is a TOP wine? Terrific-Occasional-Personal--- A TOP wine can be expressed as 88+ points, or Silver/Gold Medal, or described as BETTER/BEST, or 4/5 ****/***** Stars (out of?) and other such categories [in the 1950s such categories were titled "dandy, so-so, punk and lousy"]. My evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone wine should taste like Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price). 

THEME • Southern Hemisphere aka Antipodean wines

TOP White Wines UNDER $20 in this release.
=========================================
357913 COLOMÉ TORRONTÉS ARGENTINA 2024 $15.95
28583 CASAS DEL BOSQUE LA CANTERA BOTANIC SERIES SAUVIGNON BLANC CHILE 2021 $19.95 
462457 PAUL MAS SINGLE VINEYARD RÉSERVE MARSANNE LANGUEDOC
2024 $17.95
15774 J. DE VILLEBOIS SAUVIGNON BLANC LOIRE 2024 $19.95 
48110 KASTEELBERG CHENIN BLANC SOUTH AFRICA 2025 $16.95

TOP Red Wines UNDER $20 for this release.
========================================
44779 TIERRA DE CUBAS DUX GRAN RESERVA SPAIN 2015 $16.95 
46404 DONA PAULA EL ALTO SINGLE VINEYARD MALBEC ARGENTINA 2023 $19.95
162529 SUSANA BALBO CRÍOS MALBEC ARGENTINA 2023 $18.95
18767 ALTOS IBÉRICOS CRIANZA SPAIN 2021  $19.95 
485474 VENTISQUERO GREY GLACIER SINGLE BLOCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2019 $19.95
36529 ORESTIADI MAZAL FRAPPATO SICILY 2022 $18.95 
573675 FERZO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $19.95

TOP White Wines OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================
632034 TYRRELL'S HUNTER VALLEY SEMILLON 2025 AUSTRALIA $23.95
184549 LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY VQA 2022 $55.00
25031 THIRTY BENCH TRIANGLE RIESLING VQA 2021 $28.95
47917 CAYTHORPE MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 $20.95 
417774 DOMAINE QUEYLUS TRADITION CHARDONNAY VQA 2022
$33.70
241182 CHARLES BAKER PICONE VINEYARD RIESLING VQA 2021 $39.95

TOP Red Wines OVER $20 for this release.
=======================================
594002 JACKSON-TRIGGS GRAND RESERVE MERITAGE VQA 2022 
$29.95
130252 TAWSE SKETCHES CABERNET/MERLOT VQA 2021 $22.95
48326 CELLIER DES SAINT-ETIENNE CÔTE DE BROUILLY BEAUJOLAIS 2024 $20.95
46882 CHÂTEAU DE BEL-AIR LALANDE-DE-POMEROL BORDEAUX 2015 $48.95
22793 ROBERTO SAROTTO NATIVO NEBBIOLO PIEDMONT 2022 $23.95 
222810 ROCCA DI CASTAGNOLI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 $24.95 
203968 PASQUA RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2022 $24.95 
60137 MOUNT RILEY PINOT NOIR 2023 NEW ZEALAND $21.95

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these  are the "better" value ones...on sale through March 1....

W H I T E W I NES &  R O S E

CAVES D'ESCLANS
WHISPERING ANGEL ROSÉ
AC Côtes de Provence, France
325076 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $27.95 Save $2

SUSANA BALBO CRIOS TORRONTÉS
Argentina
1834 (XD – 2 g/L)
750 ml REG. $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2

AGANIS PINOT GRIGIO
DOC Friuli Colli Orientali, Italy
45809 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $23.95 Save $1.00

ANSELMI SAN VINCENZO
IGT Veneto, Italy
948158 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2

FIELDING UNOAKED
CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara Peninsula
164491 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.95 Save $1.00

RED WINES

FAMILLE PERRIN LES SINARDS
CHÂTEAUNEUFDUPAPE
AC, Southern Rhône, France
926626 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $43.95
NOW $40.95 Save $3.00

FLAT ROCK PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1545 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00

KIM CRAWFORD PINOT NOIR
New Zealand
626390 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00

LA MASCOTA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON Mendoza, Argentina
292110 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00

MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Colchagua Valley, Chile
322586 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00

TENUTA FRESCOBALDI DI CASTIGLIONI
IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
145920 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $20.95 Save $3.00

TOMMASI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA
CLASSICO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
910430 (D – 7 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $25.95 Save $2.00

UMBERTO CESARI LIANO
SANGIOVESE/CABERNET SAUVIGNON
IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
225086 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $24.95 Save $5.00

M. CHAPOUTIER LES
VIGNES DE BILAHAUT
CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON VILLAGES
AOC, Midi, France
168716 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $16.95
NOW $13.95 Save $3

FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]


** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season --- 

REPORT ON CHILE PACIFICO 2025 TORONTO WINES OF CHILE ANNUAL TRADE TASTING

The Date and Time: Monday October 27 2025 2PM - 5PM
The Event: WINES OF CHILE ANNUAL TRADE TASTING
The Venue: One King Street West
The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, agents
The Availability/Catalogue: the booklet showed a wide range of wines available through the LCBO or through an agent. Unlike earlier years, there were more wines over the $20 level. 16 wineries brought in 125 or so wines for sampling; most of them were reds.
The Quote/Background: Earlier there was a Pisco tasting. Also, some of the wineries were looking for agents to represent them in Ontario.
The Wines: I did not taste all the wines.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Vina Aresti Family Collection Assemblage 2020 $120 FOB
-Vina Aresti Trisquel Series Semillon 2024 $24.95
-Vina El Principal Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 $100
-Garces Silva Family Vineyards Amayna Cote d'Mar 2022 $39 Consignment The Vine
-Montes Outer Limits Albarino 2024 $24.95 Vintages 47156
-Montes Purple Angel 2021 $105.95 Vintages 62364 
-Montgras Ninquen CabSauv & Syrah 2022 $29.95
-Vina Perez Cruz Piedra Seca Cabernet Sauvignon 2023$22.95 Vintages
-Vina Perez Cruz Piedra Pircas Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 $42.95 Vintages Cellar Collection 536839
-VSPT Wine Group Chardonnay Leyda Lot 5 2023 $26.95


***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86 – 89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Vina Aresti Reserva Chardonnay 2023 $34 FOB
-Vina Aresti Espiritu de Chile Sauvignon Blanc $18 FOB
-Bodega Volcanes de Chile Parinacota $39.95
-Garces Silva Family Vineyards Amayna Sauvignon Blanc 2025 $28.99 The Vine
-Vina Marea Sauvignon Blanc 2024 $24.95
-Vina Santa Carolina Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 $19.95 Vintages Essential
-Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2023 $17.95 Vintages
-Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $18.95 Vintages

The Food: cheese and meat boards, marinated veggies (red peppers, tomatoes), focaccia and breads, artichokes, waitstaff did walk around platters.
The Downside: it got crowded really quickly
The Upside: a good chance to taste some of the more expensive wines from Chile.
The Contact Person: lisa@androscom.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88.

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

REPORT FROM ROGERS & COMPANY TRADE PORTFOLIO TASTING OCTOBER 2025

REPORT FROM ROGERS & COMPANY TRADE PORTFOLIO TASTING OCTOBER 2025

The Event: Portfolio tasting of Rogers & Co wines
The Venue: George 
The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: a good looking list of wines available to taste, with notes and prices (licensee)
The Quote/Background: 125 wines were available for tasting. The Bollinger mini-tasting of four sparklers was the absolute highlight of the event: Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvee NV @$85.99 licensee, with scores in the mid-90s; followed by Champagne Bollinger PN TX 20 NV @$144.99 licensee, score of 94 from Decanter; followed by Champagne Bollinger La Grande Annee 2025, rated 96 just about everywhere, @$248.99 licensee. All three are also available in magnums (1500ml). Pricewise -- the best deal appeared to be the Champagne Bollinger Rose Brut NV, rate about 93, @$118.99 licensee (only 750ml bottles). 
The Wines: sadly I could not taste all the wines, and I tasted mainly whites.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chateau Haut Roc Blanquant de Belair-Monange AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2019 $70.99
-Domaine Gautherin Chablis 2023 $35.99 licensee
-Domaine Luquet Macon-Villages Le Pavillon 2024 $27.99
-Champagne Valentin Leflaive Sigma Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs NV $64.99
-Champagne Valentin Leflaive Avize Grand Cru Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs NV $115.99
-Olivier Leflaive Freres Puligny Montrachet 2022 $194.99
-Domaine Gachot-Monot Cote de Nuits-Villages 2023 $56.99
-Annonce de Belair-Monange AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2022 $104.99
-Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse Dauphin de Grand-Puy Ducasse Paulliac 2019 $53.99 [my fave red]
-Tenuta Cocci Grifoni Tara Falerio DOC Pecorino 2024 $18.99
-Lis Neris Jurosa Chardonnay 2021 $54.99  [my fave white]
-Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve IGT 2022 $168.19
-Produttori Del Barbaresco Montefico Riserva DOCG 2020 $89.99
-Astrolabe Marlborough Chardonnay 2024 $23.99
-Truchard Vineyards Carneros Chardonnay 2024 $43.19
-Buehler Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2022 $30.99
-Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2024 $100.49
-Shafer One Point Fiv Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 $162.99
-Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 $534.99
-Vina Cobos Felino Chardonnay 2024 $19.29
-Vina Cobos Felino Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 $19.29
-Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2022 $79.69
-Paul Hobbs Coombsville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 $142.49

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86   89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Olivier Leflaive Freres Montagny 1er Cru Bonneveaux 2020 $76.99
-Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Blanc 2024 $54.99 licensee
-Auguste Thevenaut Bourgogne Chardonnay 2023 $24.99
-Chateau Peymouton Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2028 $33.99
-Chateau Chantalouette Pomerol 2019 $48.99
-H.Cuvelier & Fils AOP Bordeaux Rouge 2023 $20.99
-Tenuta Orestiadi Molino a Vento Grilo 2024 $14.49
-Tenuta Orestiadi Catarratto DOC Sicilia 2024 $16.99
-Organized Crime Winery Limestone Block Chardonnay 2023 $18.62
-Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2024 $52.99

The Food: cheese board, biscuits, grapes.
The Downside: the cheese board seemed to be freezer cold
The Upside: a chance for some mini-tasting of wines (e.g. Bollinger)
The Contact Person: m.barr@rogcowines.com
The Event s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89.

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

Virus-free.www.avg.com

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: 20 wines under & over $20 for the February 7, 2026 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  20 wines under & over $20 for the February 7, 2026 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, wine writer since 1968 and owner of Gothic Epicures Writing --- deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to individual wines, beers and spirits, has been at  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes (below) for TOP wines available through the LCBO Vintages New Releases (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca  or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor -- no winery can buy their way into – or out of – my publications. Not all wines are available in every LCBO store.

What is a TOP wine? Terrific-Occasional-Personal--- A TOP wine can be expressed as 88+ points, or Silver/Gold Medal, or described as BETTER/BEST, or 4/5 ****/***** Stars (out of?) and other such categories [in the 1950s such categories were titled "dandy, so-so, punk and lousy"]. My evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone wine should taste like Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price). 

THEME • EUROPE

FIZZ
====
14440 BACK 10 SMITTEN SPARKLING 2024 VQA $25.95
25233 MARYNISSEN HERITAGE COLLECTION CHARMED SPARKLING 2021 VQA $17.95 
49602 KEW PINOT MEUNIER NATURAL BRUT SPARKLING 2019 VQA $32.95
49617 DIVERGENCE HUGHES VINEYARD ROSÉ BRUT SPARKLING 2021 VQA 
$39.95
959304 BOUVET EXCELLENCE CRÉMANT DE LOIRE ROSÉ BRUT SPARKLING $24.95 
515288 RIVAROSE BRUT PRESTIGE ROSÉ SPARKLING PROVENCE $19.95
46347 LA GIOIOSA BRUT ROSÉ PROSECCO 2024 $16.95
46348 CASTELL D'OR CABARET ORGANIC BRUT CAVA $18.95

TOP WHITE WINES UNDER $20 in this release.
=========================================
[177840 PENINSULA RIDGE BEAL VINEYARD CABERNET ROSÉ 2024 VQA $16.95]

47112 VICHUQUÉN SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC CHILE 2024 $15.95
745349 DOM. JACKY MARTEAU TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC LOIRE 2024 $19.95
47832 TWIN ISLANDS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 NEW ZEALAND $17.95
408146 MARIA PAPOILA ALVARINHO/LOUREIRO 2024 PORTUGAL $18.95
80374 MURALHAS DE MONÇÃO VINHO VERDE 2024 PORTUGAL $17.95
48092 WARWICK THE FIRST LADY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 SOUTH AFRICA $14.95 
82073 FÉLIX LORENZO CACHAZO CARRASVIÑAS VERDEJO 2023 SPAIN $19.95

TOP RED WINES UNDER $20 in this release.
======================================
377481 LÓPEZ DE HARO CRIANZA 2021 $17.95
46397 CASARENA ESTATE LUJÁN DE CUYO MALBEC 2023 ARGENTINA $19.95
46396 TILIA MALBEC/SYRAH 2024 ARGENTINA $15.95
360636 SISTER'S RUN BETHLEHEM BLOCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 AUSTRALIA $19.95
146522 GLORIA RESERVA 2022 PORTUGAL $14.95
452730 JOSÉ MARIA DA FONSECA DOMINI 2023 PORTUGAL $17.95 
53124 CATHEDRAL CELLAR TRIPTYCH 2022 SOUTH AFRICA $19.95
545939 MARQUÉS DE TORO SINGLE VINEYARD MENCÍA 2021 SPAIN $14.95
11851 CREEKSIDE RED TRACTOR CABERNET/MERLOT 2020 VQA $19.95
36531 LUPO MERAVIGLIA TRE DI TRE 2023 PUGLIA  $17.95
37751 CASAS DEL TOQUI GRAN TOQUI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 CHILE
$19.95
44678 DE MARTINO ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 CHILE $17.95

TOP WHITE WINES OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================
417832 DOMAINE QUEYLUS RÉSERVE DU DOMAINE CHARDONNAY 2022 VQA $48.70
49603 WENDING HOME ESTATE VINEYARD RIESLING 2021 VQA $24.95
20455 DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA  $30
396275 ORGANIZED CRIME SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA $22.95 
24945 CHARLY NICOLLE LES FOURNEAUX ANTE MCMLXXX CHABLIS 1ER CRU $59.95 
47326 DOMAINE DE TERRES BLANCHES SANCERRE 2023 $41.95

TOP RED WINES OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================
45184 CLOUDSLEY END OF THE ROAD VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2021 VQA $49.95
23866 TOMMASI LE FORNACI LUGANA 2024 VENETO $21.95
454488 DAMILANO LECINQUEVIGNE BAROLO 2020 $56.95
243592 FOWLES LADIES WHO SHOOT THEIR LUNCH WILD FERMENT SHIRAZ 2021 AUSTRALIA $29.95
454819 JOIE FARM PINOT NOIR 2022 BC VQA $47.95
284570 TAWSE GROWERS BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2020 VQA $29.95
286393 CHÂTEAU PAUL MAS CLOS DES MÛRES 2023 LANGUEDOC $21.95
3962 RICASOLI BROLIO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2023 $23.95
16890 BELL'AJA BOLGHERI 2022 TUSCANY $39.95
86207 ZONIN AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2021 $49.95
453548 ALTANZA GRAN RESERVA 2016 SPAIN $32.95
21533 DOMAINE QUEYLUS LA GRANDE RÉSERVE PINOT NOIR 2019 VQA $65.95
44781 DOMINIO FOURNIER TINTA DEL PAÍS 2020 SPAIN $29.95


LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these  are "better" value...on sale through March 1...

W H I T E W I N ES &  R O S E

CAVES D'ESCLANS
WHISPERING ANGEL ROSÉ
AC Côtes de Provence, France
325076 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $27.95 Save $2

SUSANA BALBO
CRIOS TORRONTÉS
Argentina
1834 (XD – 2 g/L)
750 ml REG. $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2

AGANIS PINOT GRIGIO
DOC Friuli Colli Orientali, Italy
45809 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $23.95 Save $1.00

ANSELMI SAN VINCENZO
IGT Veneto, Italy
948158 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2

FIELDING UNOAKED
CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara Peninsula
164491 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.95 Save $1.00

RED WINES

FAMILLE PERRIN LES SINARDS
CHÂTEAUNEUFDUPAPE
AC, Southern Rhône, France
926626 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $43.95
NOW $40.95 Save $3.00

FLAT ROCK PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1545 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00

KIM CRAWFORD PINOT NOIR
New Zealand
626390 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00

LA MASCOTA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON Mendoza, Argentina
292110 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00

MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Colchagua Valley, Chile
322586 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00

TENUTA FRESCOBALDI
DI CASTIGLIONI
IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
145920 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $20.95 Save $3.00

TOMMASI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA
CLASSICO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
910430 (D – 7 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $25.95 Save $2.00

UMBERTO CESARI LIANO
SANGIOVESE/CABERNET SAUVIGNON
IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
225086 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $24.95 Save $5.00

M. CHAPOUTIER LES
VIGNES DE BILAHAUT
CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON VILLAGES
AOC, Midi, France
168716 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $16.95
NOW $13.95 Save $3

FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]


** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season --- 

REPORT FROM ROGERS & COMPAMY TRADE PORTFOLIO TASTING OCTOBER 2025

The Date and Time: Monday October 20, 2025  1:30PM - 4PM
The Event: Portfolio tasting of Rogers & Co wines
The Venue: George 
The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: a good looking list of wines available to taste, with notes and prices (licensee)
The Quote/Background: 125 wines were available for tasting. The Bollinger mini-tasting of four sparklers was the absolute highlight of the event: Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvee NV @$85.99 licensee, with scores in the mid-90s; followed by Champagne Bollinger PN TX 20 NV @$144.99 licensee, score of 94 from Decanter; followed by Champagne Bollinger La Grande Annee 2025, rated 96 just about everywhere, @$248.99 licensee. All three are also available in magnums (1500ml). Pricewise -- the best deal appeared to be the Champagne Bollinger Rose Brut NV, rate about 93, @$118.99 licensee (only 750ml bottles). 
The Wines: sadly I could not taste all the wines, and I tasted mainly whites.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chateau Haut Roc Blanquant de Belair-Monange AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2019 $70.99
-Domaine Gautherin Chablis 2023 $35.99 licensee
-Domaine Luquet Macon-Villages Le Pavillon 2024 $27.99
-Champagne Valentin Leflaive Sigma Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs NV $64.99
-Champagne Valentin Leflaive Avize Grand Cru Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs NV $115.99
-Olivier Leflaive Freres Puligny Montrachet 2022 $194.99
-Domaine Gachot-Monot Cote de Nuits-Villages 2023 $56.99
-Annonce de Belair-Monange AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2022 $104.99
-Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse Dauphin de Grand-Puy Ducasse Paulliac 2019 $53.99 [my fave red]
-Tenuta Cocci Grifoni Tara Falerio DOC Pecorino 2024 $18.99
-Lis Neris Jurosa Chardonnay 2021 $54.99  [my fave white]
-Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve IGT 2022 $168.19
-Produttori Del Barbaresco Montefico Riserva DOCG 2020 $89.99
-Astrolabe Marlborough Chardonnay 2024 $23.99
-Truchard Vineyards Carneros Chardonnay 2024 $43.19
-Buehler Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2022 $30.99
-Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2024 $100.49
-Shafer One Point Fiv Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 $162.99
-Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 $534.99
-Vina Cobos Felino Chardonnay 2024 $19.29
-Vina Cobos Felino Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 $19.29
-Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2022 $79.69
-Paul Hobbs Coombsville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 $142.49

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86 – 89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Olivier Leflaive Freres Montagny 1er Cru Bonneveaux 2020 $76.99
-Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Blanc 2024 $54.99 licensee
-Auguste Thevenaut Bourgogne Chardonnay 2023 $24.99
-Chateau Peymouton Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2028 $33.99
-Chateau Chantalouette Pomerol 2019 $48.99
-H.Cuvelier & Fils AOP Bordeaux Rouge 2023 $20.99
-Tenuta Orestiadi Molino a Vento Grilo 2024 $14.49
-Tenuta Orestiadi Catarratto DOC Sicilia 2024 $16.99
-Organized Crime Winery Limestone Block Chardonnay 2023 $18.62
-Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2024 $52.99

The Food: cheese board, biscuits, grapes.
The Downside: the cheese board seemed to be freezer cold
The Upside: a chance for some mini-tasting of wines (e.g. Bollinger)
The Contact Person: m.barr@rogcowines.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89.

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  20 wines under & over $20 for the January 24, 2026 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, wine writer since 1968 and owner of Gothic Epicures Writing --- deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to individual wines, beers and spirits, has been at  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes (below) for TOP wines available through the LCBO Vintages New Releases (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca  or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor -- no winery can buy their way into – or out of – my publications. Not all wines are available in every LCBO store.

What is a TOP wine? Terrific-Occasional-Personal--- A TOP wine can be expressed as 88+ points, or Silver/Gold Medal, or described as BETTER/BEST, or 4/5 ****/***** Stars (out of?) and other such categories [in the 1950s such categories were titled "dandy, so-so, punk and lousy"]. My evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone wine should taste like Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price). 

THEMES • Chilean wines, Niagara VQA wines

TOP WHITE WINES UNDER $20 in this release.
=========================================
461400 MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES VERDEJO 2023 SPAIN $14.95
46402 MANOS NEGRAS ATREVIDA CHARDONNAY 2023 ARGENTINA $17.95
48089 FALCONHEAD MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 $19.95
10632 LACHETEAU LES CIMES HAUT-POITOU SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 LOIRE $15.95
295626 STADT KREMS GRÜNER VELTLINER 2024 AUSTRIA $19.95
37420 HUBER VISION ORGANIC GRÜNER VELTLINER 2024 $19.95
25713 KOUROS ASSYRTIKO 2024 GREECE $14.95
47979 VOLCANES DE CHILE RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 $14.95
44281 MONTES LIMITED SELECTION CHARDONNAY 2023 CHILE  $17.95
406991 SANTA ALICIA GRAN RESERVA DE LOS ANDES CHARDONNAY 2024 $18.95
259788 JOSEPH CATTIN RIESLING 2024 ALSACE $18.95
33416 COLLEMASSARI MELACCE ORGANIC VERMENTINO 2024 $19.95

TOP RED WINES UNDER $20 in this release.
======================================
36310 THE OWL & THE DUST DEVIL REMOLINOS VINEYARD MALBEC 2021 ARGENTINA $19.95 
35672 EMILIANA NOVAS STELLAR SELECTION ORGANIC CABERNET CHILE $17.95
12993 DOMAINE DE LA BAUME LES THERMES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 LANGUEDOC $16.95
22798 FAUSTINO V RESERVA 2018 RIOJA $19.95
25257 GUARDA RIOS RED 2022 PORTUGAL $11.95
178459 ANTICHE TERRE VENETE RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA 2023 $17.95 
20951 DOMAINE FOND CROZE CONFIDENCE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2023 $16.95 
47088 PAJARU VIENTU APPASSIMENTO 2024 PUGLIA $19.95
46629 BOCCANTINO SUSUMANIELLO PRIMITIVO 2023 $15.95



TOP WHITE WINES OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================
44203 BOUVET LADUBAY SAUMUR SAPHIR BRUT VINTAGE SPARKLING 2022 $23.95 
578864 LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA $26.95
404087 KACABA RESERVE RIESLING 2023 VQA $24.15
14960 DOMAINE DU BICHERON MÂCON-PÉRONNE 2022  $23.95

TOP RED WINES OVER $20 in this release.
======================================
11582 BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH PINOT NOIR 2023 VQA $34.95
11665 CLOUDSLEY TWENTY MILE BENCH PINOT NOIR 2021 VQA $36.95
541151 ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA COSTA PINOT NOIR 2022 CHILE $23.95
534339 VAUCHER PÈRE & FILS FLEURIE 2024 BEAUJOLAIS $20.95
14469 CHÂTEAU MAYNE-VIEIL FRONSAC 2020 $20.95
525931 CHÂTEAU VIEUX CHEVROL LALANDE DE POMEROL 2022 $35.95
491852 BOLLA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2019 $39.95

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these  are "better" value...on sale to February 1...better hurry...

BOUTARI THE AUTHENTIC ASSYRTIKO
PGI Macedonia, Greece
44246 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

SKOURAS WILD FERMENT ASSYRTIKO
PGI Peloponnese, Greece, vegan
32387 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

CATHEDRAL CELLAR
CABERNET SAUVIGNON WO Western Cape, South Africa
(KWV)
328567 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00

MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS
RESERVA GARNACHA/TEMPRANILLO/
CARIÑENA/CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DO Cariñena, Spain
(Grandes Vinos y Viñedos)
166579 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.45 Save $1.50

ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA CHIANTI
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
111641 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00

SMALL GULLY THE FORMULA
ROBERT'S SHIRAZ
South Australia
142935 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

TORRES GRAN
CORONAS RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DO Penedès, Spain
36483 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $19.95
NOW $17.95
Save $24 on a case of 12

SANTA MARGHERITA
BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING
302752 (D – 10 g/L)
750 ml REG. $21.95
NOW $18.95

ACKERMAN BULLE ROYALE
CRÉMANT DE LOIRE BRUT SPARKLING
AOP, Loire, France, traditional method
42057 (D – 13 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $19.95 Save $1.00

BORDEAUX ROSÉ
AOC, Bordeaux, France, vegan
43531 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $17.95 Save $1.00

FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]


** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season --


REPORT ON THE ALTO ADIGE UNCORKED TASTING, FALL 2025

The Date and Time: Tuesday October 14, 2025  12:30 to 5PM
The Event: Tasting a variety of wines from the Alto Adige Uncorked region of Italy.
The Venue: Aria Restaurant
The Target Audience: wine trade, wine media, agents, sommeliers.
The Availability/Catalogue: It was another huge booklet, listing some 19 wineries not at the LCBO as of October 14. There were notes about every winery, and of course a listing of the wines that they were presenting (almost all of them Alto Adige DOC but also with some IGTs). BTW, a quick check of the LCBO catalogue shows that there are 33 wines from Alto Adige, all from four wineries: Alois Lageder, Elena Walch, Cavit and Tiefenbruner (these four were not at the trade tasting). The area is well-known for its white wines.
The Quote/Background: The masterclass was overbooked, and the room for some 110 wines to sample was very tight.
The Wines: I did not try everything -- no time. Prices were not indicated....

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Cantina Bozen Chardonnay 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Bozen Chardonnay Riserva Stegher 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Colterenzio Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva Lafoa 2021 Alto Adige DOC
-Castle Englar Cuvee Blanc de Castel 2023 Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 
-Castle Englar Gewurztraminer Orange 2021 Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT
-Cantina Kaltern Sauvignon Stern 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Tenuta Kornell Bianco Riserva Aichberg 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Manincor Sauvignon Tannenberg 20214 Alto Adige DOC
-Hans Rottensteiner Winery Pinot Nero Riserva Select 2021 Alto Adige DOC
-Morandell Winery Cabernet Franc Riserva Podalirius 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Teriano Chardonnay Riserva Doran 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Teriano Merlot Riserva Gant 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Peter Zemmer Pinot Nero Riserva 2022 Alto Adige DOC

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86 – 89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Cantina Bozen Pinot Grigio 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Winery Castel Sallegg Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Alto Adige DOC
-Castelfeder Chardonnay Doss 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Castelfeder Sauvignon Raif 2024 Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT
-Cantina Colterenzio Chardonnay Lafoa 2023 Alto Adige DOC
-Castle Englar Chardonnay Belasy 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Tenuta J. Hofstatter Chardonnay 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Tenuta J. Hofstatter Gewurztraminer Joseph 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Tenuta Kornell Sauvignon Blanc Cosmas 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Kurtatsch Sauvignon Kofl 2023 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Kurtatsch Cuvee Bianco Amos 2023 Alto Adige DOC
-Morandell Winery Merlot Antiope 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Hans Rottensteiner Winery Chardonnay Alto Adige DOC
-St. Michael-Eppan Winery Chardonnay 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-St. Michael-Eppan Winery Chardonnay Fallwind 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Teriano Chardonnay Somereto 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Tramin Chardonnay Glarea 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Peter Zemmer Chardonnay Buchholz 2024 Alto Adige DOC

The Food: buffet style - dried apricots, tzatziki, raw veggies, red beet hummus, white bean puree, outstanding chicken liver pate, pita bread, olives, diverse salami, prosciutto, breadsticks, cured hams, nine different cheeses including asiago italiano, chevre des pyrenees, appenzeller, caciottina toscana, cossanella, et al, and four excellent terrines from the Cheese Boutique: game terrine with pork and cranberries, elk terrine and figs, duck rillettes and foie gras, duck terrine and orange.
The Downside: it was very crowded and I spent considerable time trying to get samples to taste and spit. 
The Upside: great food
The Contact Person: b.marassi@ice.it
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88.




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Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures