WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: 20 wines under/ over $20 for the June 20, 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 • Beyond Chardonnay; Wines of Provence
SPARKLING WINE
14421 FLAT ROCK TWISTED SPARKLING VQA 2023 $19.95
25070 CAVE DE BEBLENHEIM CREMANT D'ALSACE BRUT BLANC DE NOIRS $22.95
51188 ZARDETTO Z EXTRA DRY PROSECCO $19.95
TOP White Wines UNDER $20 in this release.
=========================================
41073 MARKUS WALDSCHÜTZ STRASS GRÜNER VELTLINER AUSTRIA 2024 $18
67587 MEGALOMANIAC NARCISSIST RIESLING VQA 2023 $19.95
673236 LAURENT MIQUEL NORD SUD VIOGNIER LANGUEDOC 2024 $16.95
499509 FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2024 $15.95
228528 MICHELE CHIARLO LE MARNE GAVI PIEDMONT 2024 $19.95
49062 GORGHI TONDI MAREMEO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 $18.95
44319 SANTA MARIA LEPIGA SOAVE 2024 $16.95
50782 STONE BAY MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 $17.95
48067 STONELEIGH WILD VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2025 $19.95
50928 VIDIGUEIRA ANTÃO VAZ PORTUGAL 2024 $16.95
461327 BERONIA RUEDA VERDEJO SPAIN 2025 $15.95
TOP Red Wines UNDER $20 for this release.
========================================
47896 NESTOR AVARINÓ CABERNET SAUVIGNON/AGIORGITIKO/GRENACHE GREECE $15.95
51043 FALUA SMUGGLERIST TINTO 2023 $14.95
132597 ESCONDIDO TEMPRANILLO 2021 $18.95
50929 LAGAR DE BURMESTER RESERVA RED 2022 PORTUGAL $16.95
TOP White Wines OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================
139964 CATENA ALTA CHARDONNAY 2023 ARGENTINA $39.95
68825 HIDDEN BENCH ROSOMEL VINEYARD FUMÉ BLANC 2024 VQA $29.95
149302 FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2024 VQA $24.95
958462 TRIMBACH GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2020 ALSACE $37.95
49864 SOHLER & FILS ALSACE RIESLING 2023 $24.95
140889 DONATIEN BAHUAUD LES GRANDS MORTIERS VOUVRAY 2024 $22.95
22851 LOVEBLOCK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 $24.95
9142 BABICH BLACK LABEL SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 NEW ZEALAND $21.95
TOP Red Wines OVER $20 for this release.
=======================================
84996 WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2024 $44.95
51802 KEINT-HE GREER ROAD SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2023 VQA $49.95
301424 CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA CONCHA PINOT NOIR 2022 CHILE $22.95
384271 CHÂTEAU MAGNOL HAUT-MÉDOC 2023 $27.95
211599 LORNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 $22.95
313726 SEÑORÍO DE P. PECIÑA CRIANZA 2019 SPAIN $29.95
338863 VALSERRANO CRIANZA 2020 SPAIN $23.95
ROSE TABLE WINE
32902 DOMAINE QUEYLUS ROSÉ VQA 2025 $24.95
43598 STRATUS CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ VQA 2025 $32.20
51800 WENDING HOME ROSÉ VQA 2024 $19.95
53421 FIELDING ROSÉ VQA 2025 $17.95
37664 VAL SOLEU ORGANIC ROSÉ 2025 $16.95
49422 VINCENT GÉRARD COTEAUX D'AIX-EN-PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 $17.95
48978 CHÂTEAU PARADIS ESSENCIEL AIX-EN-PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 $17.95
49037 GASSIER CÔTES DE PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 $22.95
49553 APOSTOLOS THYMIOPOULOS ROSÉ DE XINOMAVRO 2024 GREECE $22.50
21608 UMBERTO CESARI COSTA DI ROSE ROSÉ 2024 $20.95
25752 SANTA MARGHERITA ROSÉ 2025 $19.95
49380 RAPAURA RESERVE PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2025 $19.95
43396 MAN HANEKRAAI ROSÉ 2025 SOUTH AFRICA $14.95
603795 MUGA ROSÉ 2025 SPAIN $17.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Here are some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value wines...on sale through
June 21, 2026...better hurry!! [more to come, see below]
WHITE WINES and Rose
MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
559088 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, vegan
341586 (D – 13 g/L) 750 ml $15.95
NOW $14.95 Save $1.00
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
SANTA MARGHERITA PINOT GRIGIO
DOC Valdadige, Alto Adige, Italy, sustainable
687558 (XD – 2 g/L) 375 ml $11.95
NOW $10.95 Save $1.00
THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER’S
BLEND RIESLING
VQA Beamsville Bench,
Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
24133 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
VIGNERONS DE BUXY
BUISSONNIER MONTAGNY
AC, Burgundy, France
382879 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
OYSTER BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South
Island, New Zealand
316570 (XD – 4 g/L)
750 ml REG. $20.95
NOW $17.95, save $3
SANTA MARGHERITA PINOT GRIGIO
DOC Valdadige, Alto
Adige, Italy, sustainable
106450 (XD – 2 g/L)
750 ml REG. $21.95
NOW $19.95, save $2
WILLM RESERVE PINOT GRIS
AC Alsace, France
42495 (XD – 8 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
WITHER HILLS SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island,
New Zealand, sustainable
919514 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
RED WINES
CALVET RÉSERVE DES REMPARTS
SAINT ÉMILION
AC, Bordeaux, France
31898 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
CATHEDRAL CELLAR
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
WO Western Cape, South Africa
328567 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA
CONCHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Puente Alto, Chile
337238 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
FAUSTINO I GRAN RESERVA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
976662 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $31.95
NOW $28.95 Save $3.00
LUCKETT THE OLD BILL RED BLEND
Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia
49656 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $29.95 Save $3.00
LUIGI BOSCA INSIGNA MALBEC
Mendoza, Argentina
452672 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
MONTE ZOVO SA’ SOLIN
VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
650713 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
PÉREZ CRUZ GRAN RESERVA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Maipo Valley, Chile
694208 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00
RIVERA IL FALCONE RISERVA
CASTEL DEL MONTE
DOCG, Puglia, Italy
177295 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $26.95
NOW $23.95 Save $3.00
TESSELLAE OLD VINES
GRENACHE/SYRAH/MOURVÈDRE
AP Côtes du Roussillon, Midi, France
343517 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
THE FOREIGN AFFAIR THE CONSPIRACY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
149237 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
TOMMASI AMARONE DELLA
VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO
DOCG, Veneto, Italy
356220 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $53.95
NOW $48.95 Save $5.00
TRIUS RED ‘THE ICON’
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
303800 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $24.95 Save $3.00
TWO HANDS GNARLY DUDES SHIRAZ
Barossa Valley, South Australia
660043 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00
VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER
CÔTE CHALONNAISE PINOT NOIR
AC, Burgundy, France
28284 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
*****************************************
LCBO LIMITED TIME OFFERS
Save on these wines from June 22 to July 19, 2026
WHITE WINES
ANSELMI SAN VINCENZO
IGT Veneto, Italy
948158 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
CAVE SPRING ESTATE RIESLING
VQA Beamsville Bench,
Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
286377 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE
DOP, Abruzzo, Italy
573683 (XD – 5 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
FIELDING UNOAKED CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
164491 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.45 Save $1.50
FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1578 (D – 15 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
OYSTER BAY CHARDONNAY
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
326728 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00
PACO & LOLA ALBARIÑO
DO Rías Baixas, Spain
350041 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
424507 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $31.95
NOW $29.95 Save $2.00
ZENATO SAN BENEDETTO LUGANA
DOC, Veneto, Italy
707158 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
RED WINE
DOMAINE GIOULIS AGIA
PARASKEVI VINEYARD AGIORGITIKO
PGI Korinthia, Greece
48276 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
G. MARQUIS THE SILVER LINE PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
258673 (XD – 9 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
MALIVOIRE GAMAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
591313 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 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
OSOYOOS LAROSE LE GRAND VIN
BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
626325 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $60.95
NOW $56.95 Save $4.00
PENFOLDS KOONUNGA HILL
SHIRAZ CABERNET South Australia
285544 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.45 Save $2.50
ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
741769 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
SELLA & MOSCA RISERVA
CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA
DOC, Sardinia, Italy
425488 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
KIM CRAWFORD MARLBOROUGH
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
35386 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $21.95
NOW $18.95, Save $3
MAZZEI SER LAPO RISERVA CHIANTI
CLASSICO DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
288530 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $24.95
NOW $22.5, save $2
VILLA ANTINORI TOSCANA
IGT, Tuscany, Italy
53876 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $25.95 Save $2.00
WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL SHIRAZ
Clare Valley, South Australia
943787 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
WITS END LUNA SHIRAZ
McLaren Vale, South Australia
311258 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
SPARKLING WINES
13TH STREET CUVÉE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, traditional method,
Ontario, sustainable, vegan
147504 (XD – 9 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00
CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara Escarpment, traditional
method, Ontario, sustainable, vegan
213983 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $27.95 Save $5.00
CHATEAU DES CHARMES BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario,
traditional method
224766 (D – 10 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $29.95 Save $3.00
ROSE WINE
DOMAINE LAFAGE MIRAFLORS ROSÉ
IGP Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, France
367375 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON PINOT GRIGIO DELLE VENEZIE DOC TASTING:
The Date and Time: Wednesday May 13 6:30 to 9:30 PM
The Event: An evening of Pinot Grigio in Toronto on Pinot Grigio day.
The Venue: Paris, Paris on Ossington
The Target Audience: influencers and a few wine writers, wine trade people.
The Availability/Catalogue: uncertain, no price lists were distributed for the 80 or so wines {all Pinot Grigio}
The Quote/Background: We were served Pinot Grigio in a variety of forms, but here the main form was also one area: Pinot Grigio DOC Delle Venezie -- co-hosted by the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto. 45 wineries were presented, about 2/3 from the Lowland areas and the balance from a higher altitude. Some of these wineries were La Marca, Allegrini, Borga, Botter, Tommasi, Asolani, Farina, Ecco Domani, Villa Sandi, Pasqua, Cavit -- wineries with agency representation for Ontario's LCBO.
Most of the wines were still, and this made them versatile and easy-drinking, with a freshness and minerality; some were dated 2025 already (e.g. Monte Tondo, Bosco dei Cirmioli). Overall, a whopping 82% of Italian production of Pinot Grigio is in the Delle Venezie area -- and 42% of Pinot Grigio plantings world-wide are in Italy. Overall 218 million bottles are exported: 96% of the total vintage. Pinot Grigio is officially permitted to be produced in four distinct styles: Frizzante (light semi-sparkling), Spumante (sparkling Charmat), Fermo (still and the most popular), and Ramato (pinkish gray skin-contact).
The Wines: I confined myself mostly to the sparkling wines. All the wines here were from the Pinot Grigio delle Venezie grapes.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Adele DOP 2023 Brut Nature
-Enotria Viajo NV
-Sessantacampi 2024 Extra Brut
-Casaforte 2024
-Bella Sera 2024
-Cantina de Gambellara 2024
-S.Osvaldo 2024
-Con
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Monte Tondo 2025
-Bosco dei Cirmioli 2025
-Ponte Brut Borgo Molino Ciari 2025
-Conviriale 2024
-Astoria Alisia 2025
-Rose Ramato 2025
The Food: I did not stay the whole evening, but there appeared to be a steady flow of plattered food coming at me -- such as skewered cooked meats, deep fried fish balls, empanadas with cheese, caviar fish eggs on biscuit.
The Downside: it was a social event evening after a difficult day dealing with a lot of people.
The Upside: a chance to taste a full range of one varietal.
The Contact Person: info@dellevenezie.it; b.marassi@ice.it
The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90
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 • Beyond Chardonnay; Wines of Provence
SPARKLING WINE
14421 FLAT ROCK TWISTED SPARKLING VQA 2023 $19.95
25070 CAVE DE BEBLENHEIM CREMANT D'ALSACE BRUT BLANC DE NOIRS $22.95
51188 ZARDETTO Z EXTRA DRY PROSECCO $19.95
TOP White Wines UNDER $20 in this release.
=========================================
41073 MARKUS WALDSCHÜTZ STRASS GRÜNER VELTLINER AUSTRIA 2024 $18
67587 MEGALOMANIAC NARCISSIST RIESLING VQA 2023 $19.95
673236 LAURENT MIQUEL NORD SUD VIOGNIER LANGUEDOC 2024 $16.95
499509 FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2024 $15.95
228528 MICHELE CHIARLO LE MARNE GAVI PIEDMONT 2024 $19.95
49062 GORGHI TONDI MAREMEO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 $18.95
44319 SANTA MARIA LEPIGA SOAVE 2024 $16.95
50782 STONE BAY MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 $17.95
48067 STONELEIGH WILD VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2025 $19.95
50928 VIDIGUEIRA ANTÃO VAZ PORTUGAL 2024 $16.95
461327 BERONIA RUEDA VERDEJO SPAIN 2025 $15.95
TOP Red Wines UNDER $20 for this release.
========================================
47896 NESTOR AVARINÓ CABERNET SAUVIGNON/AGIORGITIKO/GRENACHE GREECE $15.95
51043 FALUA SMUGGLERIST TINTO 2023 $14.95
132597 ESCONDIDO TEMPRANILLO 2021 $18.95
50929 LAGAR DE BURMESTER RESERVA RED 2022 PORTUGAL $16.95
TOP White Wines OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================
139964 CATENA ALTA CHARDONNAY 2023 ARGENTINA $39.95
68825 HIDDEN BENCH ROSOMEL VINEYARD FUMÉ BLANC 2024 VQA $29.95
149302 FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2024 VQA $24.95
958462 TRIMBACH GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2020 ALSACE $37.95
49864 SOHLER & FILS ALSACE RIESLING 2023 $24.95
140889 DONATIEN BAHUAUD LES GRANDS MORTIERS VOUVRAY 2024 $22.95
22851 LOVEBLOCK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 $24.95
9142 BABICH BLACK LABEL SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 NEW ZEALAND $21.95
TOP Red Wines OVER $20 for this release.
=======================================
84996 WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2024 $44.95
51802 KEINT-HE GREER ROAD SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2023 VQA $49.95
301424 CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA CONCHA PINOT NOIR 2022 CHILE $22.95
384271 CHÂTEAU MAGNOL HAUT-MÉDOC 2023 $27.95
211599 LORNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 $22.95
313726 SEÑORÍO DE P. PECIÑA CRIANZA 2019 SPAIN $29.95
338863 VALSERRANO CRIANZA 2020 SPAIN $23.95
ROSE TABLE WINE
32902 DOMAINE QUEYLUS ROSÉ VQA 2025 $24.95
43598 STRATUS CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ VQA 2025 $32.20
51800 WENDING HOME ROSÉ VQA 2024 $19.95
53421 FIELDING ROSÉ VQA 2025 $17.95
37664 VAL SOLEU ORGANIC ROSÉ 2025 $16.95
49422 VINCENT GÉRARD COTEAUX D'AIX-EN-PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 $17.95
48978 CHÂTEAU PARADIS ESSENCIEL AIX-EN-PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 $17.95
49037 GASSIER CÔTES DE PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 $22.95
49553 APOSTOLOS THYMIOPOULOS ROSÉ DE XINOMAVRO 2024 GREECE $22.50
21608 UMBERTO CESARI COSTA DI ROSE ROSÉ 2024 $20.95
25752 SANTA MARGHERITA ROSÉ 2025 $19.95
49380 RAPAURA RESERVE PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2025 $19.95
43396 MAN HANEKRAAI ROSÉ 2025 SOUTH AFRICA $14.95
603795 MUGA ROSÉ 2025 SPAIN $17.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Here are some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value wines...on sale through
June 21, 2026...better hurry!! [more to come, see below]
WHITE WINES and Rose
MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
559088 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, vegan
341586 (D – 13 g/L) 750 ml $15.95
NOW $14.95 Save $1.00
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
SANTA MARGHERITA PINOT GRIGIO
DOC Valdadige, Alto Adige, Italy, sustainable
687558 (XD – 2 g/L) 375 ml $11.95
NOW $10.95 Save $1.00
THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER’S
BLEND RIESLING
VQA Beamsville Bench,
Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
24133 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
VIGNERONS DE BUXY
BUISSONNIER MONTAGNY
AC, Burgundy, France
382879 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
OYSTER BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South
Island, New Zealand
316570 (XD – 4 g/L)
750 ml REG. $20.95
NOW $17.95, save $3
SANTA MARGHERITA PINOT GRIGIO
DOC Valdadige, Alto
Adige, Italy, sustainable
106450 (XD – 2 g/L)
750 ml REG. $21.95
NOW $19.95, save $2
WILLM RESERVE PINOT GRIS
AC Alsace, France
42495 (XD – 8 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
WITHER HILLS SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island,
New Zealand, sustainable
919514 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
RED WINES
CALVET RÉSERVE DES REMPARTS
SAINT ÉMILION
AC, Bordeaux, France
31898 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
CATHEDRAL CELLAR
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
WO Western Cape, South Africa
328567 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA
CONCHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Puente Alto, Chile
337238 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
FAUSTINO I GRAN RESERVA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
976662 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $31.95
NOW $28.95 Save $3.00
LUCKETT THE OLD BILL RED BLEND
Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia
49656 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $29.95 Save $3.00
LUIGI BOSCA INSIGNA MALBEC
Mendoza, Argentina
452672 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
MONTE ZOVO SA’ SOLIN
VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
650713 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
PÉREZ CRUZ GRAN RESERVA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Maipo Valley, Chile
694208 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00
RIVERA IL FALCONE RISERVA
CASTEL DEL MONTE
DOCG, Puglia, Italy
177295 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $26.95
NOW $23.95 Save $3.00
TESSELLAE OLD VINES
GRENACHE/SYRAH/MOURVÈDRE
AP Côtes du Roussillon, Midi, France
343517 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
THE FOREIGN AFFAIR THE CONSPIRACY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
149237 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
TOMMASI AMARONE DELLA
VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO
DOCG, Veneto, Italy
356220 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $53.95
NOW $48.95 Save $5.00
TRIUS RED ‘THE ICON’
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
303800 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $24.95 Save $3.00
TWO HANDS GNARLY DUDES SHIRAZ
Barossa Valley, South Australia
660043 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00
VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER
CÔTE CHALONNAISE PINOT NOIR
AC, Burgundy, France
28284 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
*****************************************
LCBO LIMITED TIME OFFERS
Save on these wines from June 22 to July 19, 2026
WHITE WINES
ANSELMI SAN VINCENZO
IGT Veneto, Italy
948158 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
CAVE SPRING ESTATE RIESLING
VQA Beamsville Bench,
Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
286377 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE
DOP, Abruzzo, Italy
573683 (XD – 5 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
FIELDING UNOAKED CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
164491 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.45 Save $1.50
FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1578 (D – 15 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
OYSTER BAY CHARDONNAY
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
326728 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00
PACO & LOLA ALBARIÑO
DO Rías Baixas, Spain
350041 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
424507 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $31.95
NOW $29.95 Save $2.00
ZENATO SAN BENEDETTO LUGANA
DOC, Veneto, Italy
707158 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
RED WINE
DOMAINE GIOULIS AGIA
PARASKEVI VINEYARD AGIORGITIKO
PGI Korinthia, Greece
48276 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
G. MARQUIS THE SILVER LINE PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
258673 (XD – 9 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
MALIVOIRE GAMAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
591313 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 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
OSOYOOS LAROSE LE GRAND VIN
BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
626325 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $60.95
NOW $56.95 Save $4.00
PENFOLDS KOONUNGA HILL
SHIRAZ CABERNET South Australia
285544 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.45 Save $2.50
ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
741769 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
SELLA & MOSCA RISERVA
CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA
DOC, Sardinia, Italy
425488 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
KIM CRAWFORD MARLBOROUGH
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
35386 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $21.95
NOW $18.95, Save $3
MAZZEI SER LAPO RISERVA CHIANTI
CLASSICO DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
288530 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $24.95
NOW $22.5, save $2
VILLA ANTINORI TOSCANA
IGT, Tuscany, Italy
53876 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $25.95 Save $2.00
WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL SHIRAZ
Clare Valley, South Australia
943787 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
WITS END LUNA SHIRAZ
McLaren Vale, South Australia
311258 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
SPARKLING WINES
13TH STREET CUVÉE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, traditional method,
Ontario, sustainable, vegan
147504 (XD – 9 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00
CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara Escarpment, traditional
method, Ontario, sustainable, vegan
213983 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $27.95 Save $5.00
CHATEAU DES CHARMES BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario,
traditional method
224766 (D – 10 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $29.95 Save $3.00
ROSE WINE
DOMAINE LAFAGE MIRAFLORS ROSÉ
IGP Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, France
367375 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON PINOT GRIGIO DELLE VENEZIE DOC TASTING:
The Date and Time: Wednesday May 13 6:30 to 9:30 PM
The Event: An evening of Pinot Grigio in Toronto on Pinot Grigio day.
The Venue: Paris, Paris on Ossington
The Target Audience: influencers and a few wine writers, wine trade people.
The Availability/Catalogue: uncertain, no price lists were distributed for the 80 or so wines {all Pinot Grigio}
The Quote/Background: We were served Pinot Grigio in a variety of forms, but here the main form was also one area: Pinot Grigio DOC Delle Venezie -- co-hosted by the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto. 45 wineries were presented, about 2/3 from the Lowland areas and the balance from a higher altitude. Some of these wineries were La Marca, Allegrini, Borga, Botter, Tommasi, Asolani, Farina, Ecco Domani, Villa Sandi, Pasqua, Cavit -- wineries with agency representation for Ontario's LCBO.
Most of the wines were still, and this made them versatile and easy-drinking, with a freshness and minerality; some were dated 2025 already (e.g. Monte Tondo, Bosco dei Cirmioli). Overall, a whopping 82% of Italian production of Pinot Grigio is in the Delle Venezie area -- and 42% of Pinot Grigio plantings world-wide are in Italy. Overall 218 million bottles are exported: 96% of the total vintage. Pinot Grigio is officially permitted to be produced in four distinct styles: Frizzante (light semi-sparkling), Spumante (sparkling Charmat), Fermo (still and the most popular), and Ramato (pinkish gray skin-contact).
The Wines: I confined myself mostly to the sparkling wines. All the wines here were from the Pinot Grigio delle Venezie grapes.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Adele DOP 2023 Brut Nature
-Enotria Viajo NV
-Sessantacampi 2024 Extra Brut
-Casaforte 2024
-Bella Sera 2024
-Cantina de Gambellara 2024
-S.Osvaldo 2024
-Con
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Monte Tondo 2025
-Bosco dei Cirmioli 2025
-Ponte Brut Borgo Molino Ciari 2025
-Conviriale 2024
-Astoria Alisia 2025
-Rose Ramato 2025
The Food: I did not stay the whole evening, but there appeared to be a steady flow of plattered food coming at me -- such as skewered cooked meats, deep fried fish balls, empanadas with cheese, caviar fish eggs on biscuit.
The Downside: it was a social event evening after a difficult day dealing with a lot of people.
The Upside: a chance to taste a full range of one varietal.
The Contact Person: info@dellevenezie.it; b.marassi@ice.it
The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90
Dean Tudor, Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism
Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.comhttp://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures
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