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Food & Drink

Holiday Wine Guide: The LCBO’s best bottles under $20

Sixteen excellent bottles that won’t break the bank

By André Proulx and Michael Pinkus
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Related: The LCBO’s best bottles to give as gifts

confidencial reserva
2020 Confidencial Reserva

$15.95 | Portugal This red blend boasts 10 “confidential varieties.” They aren’t trying to keep any secrets—in Portugal, it’s normal to have vineyards planted with a wide variety of whatever is available. And in a region with a lot of native grapes, it can be hard to keep track of what exactly is planted in historic vineyards. Fans of bold and spicy reds should look no further than this bottle, with its juicy black raspberry and blackberry notes. You’ll also find hints of vanilla, cinnamon and clove, making it an apropos choice for the season. LCBO 452789

cave spring chardonnay
2021 Cave Spring Chardonnay

$17.95 | Ontario This wine has made our best bargain list more than a few times, and (in keeping with tradition but also because it’s excellent) it’s back again. This bottle from Cave Spring is a testament to the quality and consistency of Ontario chardonnay. A near-perfect balance of vanilla and spice versus peach and apple notes, plus clean acidity, makes this a food-friendly wine—from hors d’oeuvres to the main event. LCBO 228551

gerard bertrand gris blanc
2023 Gérard Bertrand Gris Blanc Rose

$16.95 | France Don’t let its soft-pink hue fool you—this rosé drinks more like a white thanks to its light texture. Serve it in an opaque glass and you’d be surprised how many people would guess they were sipping a dry, crisp sauvignon blanc. It’s a blend of two grenache grapes—a white and a red—grown in the Tautavel region of France, and it has enough body and texture to be served alongside your holiday turkey or ham. LCBO 14673

one pound per acre chardonnay
2023 One Pound Per Acre Chardonnay

$9.95 | Australia This wine stopped us in our tracks: an Australian chardonnay that isn’t soaked in oak but still has the body and soul to impress a diehard fan of the grape? What sorcery is this? And that price is not a typo. For anyone hosting large get-togethers this holiday season, this may be the wine that will save your budget. LCBO 32828

lapin bleu merlot
2022 Lapin Bleu

$10.45 | France Sometimes there’s nothing wrong with judging a wine by its bottle and buying something just because it has a cute label. This unpretentious merlot from France is as easy-drinking as it is easy on the eyes (and wallet). The tannins are so soft they’re virtually undetectable, and a deluge of dark cherry and blueberry dominates the palate. LCBO 36385

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fantini numero uno primitivo
2023 Fantini Numero Uno Primitivo

$11.50 | Italy Many know primitivo by its adopted American name: zinfandel. However, the Italians treat this grape with a bit more restraint than your typical Californian winery. This bottle is big on plum and blackberry flavours but also has aggressive tannins. Open it an hour before serving to give the wine a bit of time to relax, then pair it with prime rib. LCBO 442491

rocca delle macie moonlight toscana chardonnay
2023 Rocca delle Macìe Moonlite Chardonnay

$14.25 | Italy This Italian producer is better known for their Chianti Classico, but they also farm approximately 1,500 acres of Tuscan vineyards, where this fruit-driven chardonnay comes from.With notes of peach, pear and golden delicious apple, it brings the whole orchard into the glass. The fact that this was aged in stainless steel and concrete (and not an oak barrel) may appeal to even the most chardonnay averse. LCBO 30946

bersano monteolivo moscato
2023 Bersano Monteolivo Moscato d’Asti

$18.95 | Italy Young, vibrant, fresh and delicious: those are four words we’d use to describe this bottle of Moscato d’Asti, which comes from Piedmont, rings in at just 5.5 per cent ABV and is pineapple-sweet with a balanced acidity. Bonus: its screw cap makes it easy to crack into. LCBO 39378

carmen gran reserva cabernet sauvignon
2022 Carmen Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon

$17.95 | Chile From one of Chile’s pioneers of modern winemaking, this cabernet sauvignon is a perfect hosting gift. With soft tannins and juicy blackcurrant notes, it’s ready to drink now—but if it isn’t opened at dinner and instead sits in the cellar for a few years, no harm will come. LCBO 358309

king maui sauvignon blanc
2024 King Maui Sauvignon Blanc

$17.95 | New Zealand King Maui just happens to be the same demigod voiced by the Rock in Moana 2. According to legend, he (King Maui, not Dwayne Johnson) created the islands of New Zealand. And at this price point—with notes of passion fruit, kiwi and grapefruit plus bright, crisp acidity—his namesake wine is equally legendary. LCBO 36223

tavernello sangiovese cabernet
2023 Tavernello Sangiovese Cabernet

$10.05 | Italy Looking for an exotic wine to pour at your next holiday shindig? One that won’t set you back an arm and a leg to buy six bottles and will please just about everyone? We give you this easy-drinking banger, full of fruit and definitely the life of the party. LCBO 13603

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zonte's footstep love symbol
2021 Zonte’s Footstep Love Symbol Grenache

$18.95 | Australia The goal of expat winemaker Brad Ray (who hails from Calgary, of all places) is to create terroir-driven wines from Australia, and every one of these labels stands out on the shelf. Grenache is not often found on its own, typically being blended with syrah and mourvèdre to make classic French-inspired blends. But fans of Spanish wine—or even just raspberry jam—will dig this bottle. LCBO 668582

zonte's footstep chocolate factory
2021 Zonte’s Footstep Chocolate Factory

$19.95 | Australia This is the second bottle on the list from our friend Ray, who in this instance we’ll dub the Willy Wonka of wine. Made with shiraz and absolutely bursting with black cherry and milk chocolate notes—think Black Forest cake in a glass—it’s called Chocolate Factory for a reason. LCBO 396481

peljesac red
2021 Pelješac Red

$16 | Croatia Fans of zinfandel—or bold red wines in general—will have no trouble getting on board with this one, made using an indigenous variety of grape called plavac mali. Deep flavours of blueberry, plum and blackberry are met with soft tannins, leaving the finish silky smooth. LCBO 460873

the dreaming tree sauvignon blanc
2023 The Dreaming Tree Sauvignon Blanc

$19.95 | California Sauvignon blancs from California are generally riper and fruitier than their New Zealand cousins, and this bottle—chock full of passion fruit, pineapple and peach flavour—is no exception. Fun fact: named after one of his albums, this wine was co-produced by musician Dave Matthews. LCBO 38416

cave de lugny bourgogne pinot noir
2022 Cave de Lugny Bourgogne Pinot Noir

$21.55 | France Okay, so this one is slightly over the $20 budget, but we couldn’t help ourselves. Elegant and refined, with black cherry on the nose and violet notes on the palate, it’s a beautiful entry-level wine from a region not typically associated with budget-friendly bottles. LCBO 33667

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