Every wine on this list is a bargain at full price. But they’re all discounted until Nov. 7, making them even better value. Whether you’re planning a dinner party, starting holiday shopping early or just looking for something delicious for a Tuesday night, these great wines earn a place in your basket. Scroll down for my pick of the week.
NV Bailly Lapierre Réserve Brut Crémant de Bourgogne DOC France
Score 90
(Vintages Essential 991562, $23.95 till Nov. 7, reg. $25.95)
Crémant is sparkling wine made using the traditional method — like Champagne — and this one hails from Burgundy. Made from hand-picked Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay and Aligoté, the pale liquid is threaded with tiny bubbles that burst on the surface, releasing aromas of almond tart and roasted Granny Smith with a touch of white cherry. The attack is bright and fresh, followed by a delicate dance of orchard fruit, brown sugar and butter pastry that gives way to hints of nutmeg and marzipan. Outstanding with smoked salmon on toast points. (12% alc., 7 g/L sugar)
If you like racy, dry whites, Pecorino is a grape variety to know. It’s quite fashionable right now. And it can be undervalued, which is the case here. Scents suggest lemon zest and green apple with coy restraint. Then, it slips in tasting vibrant and steely — a piercing beam of light that broadens and unfurls with sheer layers of jasmine, sea spray, lemon and pear, with a cool minerality, too. This mid-weight white works with almost anything you care to serve, but it’s brilliant with fried fish. (13% alc., 4g/L sugar)
Brilla! Prosecco DOC Extra Dry, Veneto, Italy (3 x 200mL)
Score 90
(LCBO 38882, $16.95 till Nov. 7, reg. $19.95)
Having these 200-mL piccolos on hand makes it easy to enjoy a couple glasses of bubbly without committing to a bottle — or feeling the pressure to do so. The scent is pure pear — poached and fresh — with wispy notes of acacia and lilac. The entry is light and lively while the flavours echo the aromas. Since it’s “extra dry,” which means slightly sweeter than “brut,” it works especially well with salty foods such as cured meats or crostini topped with sautéed mushrooms and thyme. (11% alc., 14g/L sugar)
2024 La Linda Private Selection Old Vines Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
Score 92
(LCBO 507442, $15 till Nov. 7, reg. $17)
Malbec can range from austere expressions to full-blown fruit-bombs. This bottle is neither. It maintains a certain dignified composure while offering impressive mid-palate stuffing. The colour is ruby red but not inky dark. The fragrance is shy. Then, the wine glides in with a velvety allure and flawless balance. Flavours lean into damson plum, wild blueberry and blackberry edged with graphite and black pepper. There’s a suave, understated appeal here that makes it seem almost Old World in style. The wine doesn’t linger long but keeps you sipping. (13.5% alc., 3g/L sugar)
2022 Toro Bravo Oak Selección Cabernet Sauvignon-Monastrell D.O. Yecla, Spain
Score 90
(LCBO 36043, $11.90 till Nov. 7, reg. $13.90)
Black cherry and blackcurrant aromas lead to a surging rush of seamless vinosity. While not complex, the gift of this wine is its clean purity of fruit, smooth texture and impeccable balance. The result is a red that’s easy-drinking, full-bodied and round, with each sip tapering to a textured, chalky-cherry finish. Even at full price, you could pay more for less. This isn’t a flashy wine, but it delivers honest value and works very well with braised meat dishes or just a nibble of firm cheese. (14.5% alc., 5 g/L sugar)
(Vintages Essential 145920, $20.95 till Nov. 7, reg. $23.95)
This beautiful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese is stylishly well put together without being showy or overdone. Each glassful exudes a deep, heady perfume: black cherry and crème de cassis, laced with oregano and white pepper — all in perfect harmony. Then, a cashmere crush of fruit drenches the palate and cascades with complexity, while retaining lift and elegance. This smart Super Tuscan from a historic, 700-year-old estate puts you in Italy. And it’s a dinner party waiting to happen. (13% alc., 3 g/L sugar)
