Spring is a great time to try something new. Of note, the LCBO now offers all-in prices, so the price you see includes the tax and the bottle deposit. I’ve curated a list of wines that offer exceptional value based on their quality and price point, with all of them priced under $20 at the LCBO. Happy sipping!
This is an unoaked style of chardonnay, i.e., it was aged in stainless steel, not oak barrels. Aging the wine in stainless steel allows the delicacy of the fruit and floral aspects to be optimized. There’s an interesting evolution of aromas and flavours as you drink this wine. Initially, you catch aromas of pear, white florals such as lily, bitter almond and lime zest on the nose, with more pronounced fruit on the palate. After about 20 minutes, you taste more tropical fruit flavours, such as pineapple, guava and coconut. There’s a taught line of acidity pulling throughout, with the bitter almond persisting on the long finish. You will notice legs on the glass, indicating excellent structure and body in this wine. Enjoy it with grilled scallops, salmon or roast chicken.
Fun fact: the grapes for this wine grew on vine clones imported from France twenty-five years ago.
Extra dry • 14% • LCBO Vintages# 350058 • $16.95
Rosé signals Spring, although I truly love it all year round. If you like the bone-dry style of Rosé from southern France, you will want to try this one. It’s the most popular Rosé brand in France. Pale pink in the glass, it greets you with lovely aromas of plum, peach and delicate florals, which continue on the palate. The mouthwatering acidity is refreshing and makes this wine food-friendly. Serve it well-chilled, between 6ºC – 8ºC, and enjoy it as an aperitif as you dream of French cafés, or throughout your meal with charcuterie, shellfish or pork chops. Terrific value!
Extra dry • 12% • LCBO# 15568 • $12.95
A fragrant, full-bodied wine made from a blend of Grenache and Carignan grapes. Your nose will happily smell violets, ripe dark cherries and the herbal aromas of French garrique. This term refers to herbs such as thyme, rosemary and lavender that grow in Provence and lend characteristic flavours to wine and food in this region. The ripe palate shows both fruity and spicy flavours with a velvety and viscous mouthfeel. The finish is perfumed and elegant, with lingering ripe cherry and garrique notes. Excellent value at this price. It’s definitely a buy-again wine. It was perfect with herb-encrusted lamb chops.
Extra dry • 14% • LCBO# 41283 • $15.95
This full-bodied red wine gives a beautiful bouquet with ripe dark fruit, mint, eucalyptus and caramel. It’s crafted from a delicious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and the King of Sicilian wine grapes, Nero D’Avola. The palate echoes the nose, with smooth texture, soft tannins and an elegant, flavourful finish. Pair this very lovable wine with roast red meats and aged cheeses.
Dry • 13.5% • LCBO# 621151 • $11
My favourite pick from this list? The D’Albenas Barathym – very food friendly and bursting with flavour.
For more wine and food discovery from Jane Staples, visit www.bellovinoj.com
Header image: Orhan Baysal, Pexels
