October 10, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Perfect Gifts, Ready to Go

Here are my top wine picks from the October 10, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where “Perfect Gifts, Ready To Go” is the title of the release. This is a fairly large release compared to what we have seen recently, with 108 SKUs included and more red wines than any other colour or style. It is also on the premium side, as only 18 SKUs are priced below $20. Once again, there are many lovely wines, but be prepared to open your wallet. Everything should be readily available for purchase both online and in stores at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We’ll begin with the feature story, “Perfect Gifts, Ready To Go,” which includes 17 SKUs focused primarily on multi-packs and large-format red wines ready for seasonal gift-giving. There are also some sparkling wines, Port, and Icewine. I’m sure that quite a few of the wines included in the multi-packs will be lovely, but my only recommendation from the feature story is a lovely Vidal Icewine from Niagara.

Among my top red wine recommendations from the main release, Bordeaux varieties account for nearly half of the wines. On the local front, we have a Meritage from Niagara composed of 48% Cabernet Franc, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Merlot, while the Inniskillin wine is made with 100% Cabernet Franc. From Bordeaux, the Montagne-Saint-Émilion is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, while the Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux is composed of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. The only other blend among the reds is a Riserva Chianti Classico made with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot. Both wines from Spain are mono-varietal, with the Rioja crafted from Tempranillo and the Bierzo made from Mencía. Other mono-varietal reds include a fine Syrah from Niagara, as well as a pair of Pinot Noirs – one each from Martinborough (New Zealand) and Niagara.

My top white wine picks from the main release begin on the local front with a pair of lovely medium dry (i.e. slightly sweet) Rieslings from Niagara, followed by a gently off-dry Riesling from Germany. There’s also a fine, off-dry Gewürztraminer from Alsace. Moving on to the dry wines, there are a pair of lovely Chardonnays – one each from Chablis (Burgundy) and Yarra Valley (Australia). Other mono-varietal dry wines include a Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre in the Loire Valley and an Alvarinho from Vinho Verde in Portugal. Interestingly, both of my remaining white wine recommendations are blends priced under $20, with the McLaren Vale white crafted using approximately 60% Viognier and 40% Marsanne, while the Sicilian white is a blend of 34% Catarratto, 31% Inzolia, 29% Grecanico, and 6% Chardonnay.

For sparkling wine lovers, there is a brilliant Grand Cru Champagne crafted with 100% Chardonnay. There are also a couple of lovely 10-Year-Old Tawny Ports from Portugal, both made with traditional Douro varieties, including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (a.k.a. Tempranillo), and Tinta Barroca, while the Burmester also includes Tinto Cão. For sweet wine lovers, look to the iconic Botrytis Semillon from Australia or the Sauternes from Bordeaux, which is made with 90% Sémillon, 8% Sauvignon Blanc, and 2% Muscadelle.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• PEACOCK'S FAN COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#50193) (XD) - $16.95
• MAJELLA THE COMPOSER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Vegan, Coonawarra, South Australia (#50196) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU TANESSE CADILLAC CÔTES DE BORDEAUX 2022 - Sustainable, AOC, France (#666628) (XD) - $20.95  91 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU GUILLOU 2022 - AOC Montagne-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France (#140483) (XD) - $22.95  90+ pts  wine review
• ESTÉVEZ VERSOS DE VALTUILLE MENCIA 2024 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#50750) (XD) - $22.95  review coming soon...
• ALTANZA RESERVA 2019 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#208223) (XD) - $22.95  review coming soon...

• LUNA ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2023 - Martinborough, North Island, New Zealand (#17544) (XD) - $27.95
• INNISKILLIN HERON POND SINGLE VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2023 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#54145) (XD) - $39.95  91+ pts  wine review
• REDSTONE ESTATE SYRAH 2021 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#437376) (XD) - $40.95  OFE
• REDSTONE MERITAGE 2021 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#44167) (XD) - $48.95  91+ pts  wine review
• CASTELLO DI AMA MONTEBUONI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#30268) (XD) - $59.95  OFE
• BACHELDER LOWREY VINEYARD OLD VINES PINOT NOIR 2023 - VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#361816) (XD) - $65.00  OFE

White Wine:

• D'ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER/MARSANNE 2025 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#662775) (XD) - $17.95
• TASCA D'ALMERITA REGALEALI BIANCO 2025 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#531780) (XD) - $18.95
• PIERRE SPARR GRANDE RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER 2024 - AOC Alsace, France (#747600) (D) - $20.95  91 pts  wine review
• YERING STATION VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2024 - Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia (#50188) (XD) - $24.95
• AVELEDA SOLOS DE XISTO ALVARINHO 2024 - Vegan, Sustainable, Vinho Verde, Portugal (#35465) (XD) - $24.95
• TRIUS SHOWCASE GHOST CREEK RIESLING 2024 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#44144) (M) - $28.95  OFE
• BATTENFELD SPANIER ZELLERTAL RIESLING 2022 - VDP Ortswein, Pfalz, Germany (#50721) (D) - $30.95
• CHARLY NICOLLE PER ASPERA CHABLIS 2023 - AOP, Burgundy, France (#38095) (XD) - $36.95  92 pts  wine review
• CHARLES BAKER PICONE VINEYARD RIESLING 2022 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#241182) (M) - $39.95  94 pts  wine review
• SOPHIE BERTIN LA CÔTE BLANCHE SANCERRE 2024 - AOP, Loire, France (#50162) (XD) - $44.95  OFE

Sparkling Wine:

• SAINT-RÉOL BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS GRAND CRU CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#49869) (XD) - $77.95

Fortified Wine:

• BARROS 10-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT - DOP, Portugal (#964353) (S) - $28.95
• BURMESTER 10-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT - DOP, Portugal (#223958) (S) - $32.95  2013 btld. review

Dessert Wine:

• DE BORTOLI NOBLE ONE BOTRYTIS SEMILLON 2021 - New South Wales, Australia (#917252, 375 mL) (S) - $29.95  OFE
• CHÂTEAU HAUT-BERGERON 2022 - AOC Sauternes, Bordeaux, France (#17503, 375 mL) (S) - $40.95  OFE
• INNISKILLIN LUNAR NEW YEAR VIDAL ICEWINE 2024 - In gift box, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#53078, 375 mL) (S) - $53.95

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September 26, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Beyond Cabernet

Here are my top wine picks from the September 26, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where “Beyond Cabernet” is the feature story of another relatively small release. In all, there are only 65 wines included, with almost everything priced under $50, including 50 wines under $30. As a result, most wines have relatively approachable price points, and the quality is good, with many enjoyable wines. At this point, everything should be readily available for purchase both online and in stores at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We’ll begin with the feature story, “Beyond Cabernet,” which aims to turn your attention to wines crafted with grapes other than Cabernet Sauvignon. Of the seventeen wines featured as part of the thematic, five are included among my top wine picks. At the top of the list is a fine Rioja from Spain crafted with Tempranillo, which is also one of the Wines of the Month in this release. Next up is a lovely, locally crafted Shiraz from Niagara, followed by a Shiraz from McLaren Vale in Australia, which happens to be the other Wine of the Month. There are also a pair of Chianti Classico wines from Tuscany, both of which are primarily crafted with Sangiovese.

My top red wine recommendations from the main release begin in British Columbia with a red crafted from 46% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 18% Cabernet Franc, followed by a 100% Cabernet Franc from Niagara-on-the-Lake. From Italy, the Sicilian red is a 50/50 blend of Nero d’Avola and Syrah, while the Rosso di Montalcino from Tuscany is 100% Sangiovese. From Australia, the Cabernet Sauvignon actually includes 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec, and 3% Cabernet Franc, while the wine from Padthaway is 100% Shiraz. Other recommended red wines include a fine Pinot Noir from Chile, a Syrah from New Zealand, and a Garnacha from Spain.

Among my top white wine picks, the only blend is a Veneto Bianco made with 84% Garganega, 10% Chardonnay, and 6% Riesling. At the top of the mono-varietal whites is an excellent, off-dry Riesling from the Beamsville Bench in Niagara. Also on the local front, the Cave Spring Chardonnay was raised entirely in oak, while the Leaning Post Chardonnay was raised entirely in concrete. One of the more interesting white wines in this release is a White Malbec – it was harvested early and pressed at very low pressure to avoid extracting colour from the tannins. Also in this release is a fine Chardonnay from Burgundy, a Vermentino from Tuscany, a Godello from Spain, and a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• SAN ALEJANDRO EVODIA GARNACHA 2023 - Spain (#23914) (XD) - $16.95
• SISTER'S RUN EPIPHANY SHIRAZ 2022 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#269464) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• JIP JIP ROCKS SINGLE VINEYARD SHIRAZ 2024 - Padthaway, South Australia (#673897) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• XANADU CIRCA 77 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#18344) (XD) - $18.95
• TRINITY HILL SYRAH 2022 - Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#194274) (XD) - $21.95
• FRESCOBALDI PERANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#10360) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• BERONIA VIÑAS VIEJAS 2022 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#16587) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review

• MONTES ALPHA SPECIAL CUVÉE PINOT NOIR 2023 - DO Zapallar, Aconcagua Costa, Chile (#19288) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
• FIRRIATO SANTAGOSTINO 30TH ANNIVERSARY BAGLIO SORÌA 2020 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#291369) (XD) - $24.95  92 pts  wine review
• FATTORIA DEI BARBI ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2023 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#397430) (XD) - $29.95
• JACKSON-TRIGGS NIAGARA ESTATE GRAND RESERVE SHIRAZ 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#54135) (XD) - $29.95
• CARPINETO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#47118) (XD) - $32.95  91 pts  wine review
• ANDREW PELLER SIGNATURE SERIES CABERNET FRANC 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#53233) (XD) - $49.95
• BLACK HILLS NOTA BENE 2022 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#17727) (XD) - $74.95

White Wine:

• ARTESANO DE ARGENTO AGRELO VINEYARD ORGANIC WHITE MALBEC 2026 - Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#37223) (XD) - $14.95  88+ pts  wine review
• PADDY BORTHWICK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#361220) (XD) - $19.95
• AQUILAIA VERMENTINO 2025 - DOC Maremma Toscana, Italy (#49632) (XD) - $21.95
• BODEGAS MERAYO GODELLO 2024 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#50937) (XD) - $21.95
• CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CHARDONNAY 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#256552) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2025 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#578864) (XD) - $26.95
• THIRTY BENCH SMALL LOT WOOD POST VINEYARD RIESLING 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#359760) (D) - $28.95
• TEDESCHI GA.RY 2023 - IGT Veneto Bianco, Italy (#50568) (XD) - $29.95  90+ pts  wine review
• MAISON CHAMPY PERNAND-VERGELESSES BLANC 2023 - AOC, Burgundy, France (#39801) (XD) - $61.95

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September 12, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Ontario

Here are my top wine picks from the September 12, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where local wines from Ontario are the focus of the feature story. While the release is quite good overall, with a number of high-quality wines, the first word that comes to mind when I think about this release is "disappointment."

My first disappointment with this release is that it contains only 83 products, including 14 Online & Flagship Exclusives, leaving just 69 products broadly available across the province. I’ve heard that smaller releases will be the norm for the next couple of months, and perhaps beyond. Second, while there are 20 wines from Ontario, plus one from Nova Scotia and two from British Columbia, there are also 26 wines from Italy. This means that 49 of the 83 wines, or 59%, come from just two countries. I love my Ontario and Italian wines, but diversity is lacking, in my opinion.

The last disappointment took place on Release Day (September 12), when I visited one LCBO store and discovered that it had received only one Ontario wine from the entire release. I then visited a second LCBO store, only to find that all six wines being poured for the Saturday tasting were from the previous release (August 29, which is apparently what they do at this location). Furthermore, their policy was to only place wines from this release, which they had already received, on the shelves the following Monday. Nevertheless, by now, everything should be available for purchase both online and at physical LCBO stores across Ontario.

Moving past my disappointments, let’s have a look at my top wine picks from the feature story, which focuses on great local wines from Ontario. Of the twenty Ontario wines featured, eleven are among my recommended buys. Ontario produces many fine sparkling wines, with Kew Vineyards being a specialist in this category. Kew’s Blanc de Blanc is crafted with Chardonnay, while its Blanc de Noir is made from Pinot Noir. Also featured in this release is a new category of sparkling wine called Fracette—a uniquely Canadian style in which an Icewine liqueur de tirage is used to initiate the secondary fermentation. The Kew Fracette is a blend of 41% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, 16% Pinot Meuiner, and 10% Vidal Icewine, while the Inniskillin Fracette is a Cabernet Franc sparkling rosé with Cabernet Franc Icewine used to initiate the second fermentation. White wines from Ontario include a pair of lovely Chardonnays, as well as a fine, gently off-dry Riesling. My top red wine picks from Ontario are a trio of Pinot Noirs, followed by a Cabernet Franc.

My top red wine picks from the main release begin with a pair of excellent Riojas from Spain. First is the 2014 Rioja, a blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and 10% Graciano & Mazuelo, followed by the 2015 Rioja, made with 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and 5% Mazuelo & Graciano. From Italy, the Valpolicella is composed of 85% Corvina Veronese, 10% Rondinella, and 5% Corvinone, while the Toscana Rosso is a blend of 40% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 10% Syrah. Staying in Italy, both the Chianti Classico and Rosso di Montalcino are crafted with 100% Sangiovese, while the wine from Basilicata is made with Aglianico. Lastly, the other mono-varietal reds are a Malbec from Argentina and a Shiraz from Western Australia.

Among my white wine recommendations from the main release, the only blend is a white wine from the Douro in Portugal, crafted with three indigenous varieties—Códega de Larinho, Rabigato, and Viosinho. Among the mono-varietal wines, at the top of the list is the outstanding Verdicchio from 50+-year-old vines, followed by the Pecorino, with both wines coming from the same producer in Italy. Other mono-varietal wines include a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile, a Pinot Grigio from northern Italy, an old-vine Chardonnay from Australia, and a Pinot Gris from New Zealand.

There are two sparkling wine picks outside Ontario. First up is a Prosecco from Italy crafted with Glera, while the second bubbly is a Cava from Spain composed of 55% Xarel·lo, 30% Macabeo, and 15% Parellada.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• FRANKLAND ROCKY GULLY SHIRAZ 2022 - Frankland River, Western Australia (#33371) (XD) - $17.95
• VITICCIO SOSPETTI TOSCANA ROSSO 2022 - IGT, Tuscany, Italy (#50775) (XD) - $18.00  88 pts  wine review
• ZENATO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2022 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#995704) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA MALBEC 2024 - Vegan, Sustainable, Mendoza, Argentina (#261867) (XD) - $19.95
• PATERNOSTER SYNTHESI AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE 2021 - DOC, Campania, Italy (#51672) (XD) - $19.95
• TAWSE GROWERS BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#284570) (XD) - $29.95

• WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#427500) (XD) - $33.95  91 pts  wine review
• BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH PINOT NOIR 2024 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11582) (XD) - $34.95  91+ pts  wine review
• POGGIO SAN POLO ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2022 - Sustainable, DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#60863) (XD) - $36.95
• FONTODI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#933317) (XD) - $49.95
• DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS PINOT NOIR 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184564) (XD) - $55.00  93 pts  wine review
• R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA BOSCONIA RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#529586) (XD) - $59.95
• R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA TONDONIA RESERVA 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#356337) (XD) - $82.95

White Wine:

• MATAHIWI ESTATE PINOT GRIS 2024 - Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#12679) (XD) - $17.95
• LEYDA GARUMA COASTAL VINEYARDS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - DO Valle de Leyda, Chile (#99309) (XD) - $18.95
• QUADRUS WHITE 2024 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#667162) (XD) - $23.95
• SCHILD OLD VINE BAROSSA CHARDONNAY 2025 - Barossa, South Australia (#50189) (XD) - $23.95
• NALS MARGREID HILL PINOT GRIGIO 2025 - DOC Südtirol-Alto Adige, Italy (#17365) (XD) - $24.95
• HIDDEN BENCH RIESLING 2023 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $26.95
• UMANI RONCHI CENTOVIE PECORINO 2024 - IGT Colli Aprutini, Abruzzo, Italy (#11108) (XD) - $28.95
• UMANI RONCHI CASAL DI SERRA VECCHIE VIGNE VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2023 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#98111) (XD) - $28.95  93+ pts  wine review
• DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20455) (XD) - $30.00  91+ pts  wine review
• DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184549) (XD) - $55.00  93+ pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• ALESSANDRO BERSELLI SIGNATURE COLLECTION VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE 2025 - DOCG, Italy (#51608) (D) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• CYGNUS SADOR ORGANIC RESERVA BRUT NATURE CAVA - Vegan, Sustainable, Traditional Method, DO Penedès, Spain (#352856) (XD) - $19.95
• KEW FRACETTE SPARKLING 2025 - Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#53239) (XD) - $26.95  89 pts  wine review
• KEW BLANC DE NOIR 2021 - Traditional Method, VQA West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#380030) (XD) - $32.95  90+ pts  wine review
• KEW BLANC DE BLANC 2019 - Traditional Method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#438994) (XD) - $32.95  92 pts  wine review
• INNISKILLIN FRACETTE ROSÉ SPARKLING 2025 - Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#53240) (XD) - $34.95  90+ pts  wine review
  
  

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August 29, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Book Club Wines

Here are my top wine picks from the August 29, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where “Book Club” is the title and main theme of the release. With 92 products offered, this is on the smaller side of the spectrum. There are 40 red wines in the release, along with just 26 white wines, while sparkling wines and rosé make up much of the remainder. The average price per bottle comes in at just under $25. Overall, it is a good release, with all but one of my recommendations priced below $40, and everything should be readily available for purchase both online and in stores at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We’ll begin with the feature story titled “Book Club – Thoughtful Wine and Literary Pairings,” which includes seventeen wines that are perfect pairings for book lovers. Since my picks are focused on the wines themselves, only a couple of wines from the feature are included among my recommendations. One is a blend of 65% Tempranillo and 35% Grenache from Australia, while the other is a Malbec from Argentina.

Among my top red wine picks, we’ll go local first with a pair of blends from Niagara. The wine from Niagara-on-the-Lake is composed of 53% Cabernet Franc and 47% Merlot, while the wine from Leaning Post is 47% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Franc, and 14% Syrah. Other blends include the Roussillon red, which is composed of approximately 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 10% Carignan, as well as the Chianti Classico, which is composed primarily of Sangiovese (90%), with Canaiolo and Colorino completing the blend. Among the mono-varietal reds, there is a Barolo crafted with Nebbiolo, while the Riserva Chianti Classico is 100% Sangiovese. The remaining mono-varietal reds are a Gamay from Beaujolais, a Pinot Noir from South Africa, and a pair of Cabernet Sauvignons—one each from Argentina and South Africa.

The only blend among my top white wine recommendations is the Rhône wine, which is crafted with 70% Grenache Blanc, 15% Clairette, 10% Viognier, and 5% Roussanne. Chardonnay is particularly well represented in this release, with four recommendations—one each from Niagara, Prince Edward County, Chile, and New Zealand. There are also a pair of Sauvignon Blancs, one each from the Loire and New Zealand. Rounding out the selection are a fine Malagouzia from Greece, a Chenin Blanc from South Africa, and a Graševina from Croatia.

The remaining recommendations are in other styles, rather than red or white wines, and are all blends. At the top of the list is a Champagne crafted with 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay, and 10% Pinot Noir, while the Cava is approximately 40% Xarel·lo, 40% Parellada, and 20% Macabeu. Both of the rosé recommendations are from Provence and are dry in style, with the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, while the Côtes de Provence is crafted with 46% Cinsault, 34% Grenache, 12% Mourvèdre, 4% Syrah, 2% Rolle, and 2% Sémillon.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CAP MARITIME COASTAL PINOT NOIR 2024 - Vegan, Sustainable, WO Cape South Coast, South Africa (#51626) (XD) - $19.95
• ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP SPLITTING HARES TEMPRANILLO/GRENACHE 2022 - Vegan, Fleurieu, South Australia (#30847) (XD) - $19.95
• RUSTENBERG STELLENBOSCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#443374) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES 2022 - AOP, France (#119354) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review
• TAPIZ ALTA COLLECTION SAN PABLO VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#403345) (XD) - $20.95  90 pts  wine review
• MANOS NEGRAS STONE SOIL MALBEC 2023 - Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#482109) (XD) - $22.95

• CHÂTEAU DES TOURS BROUILLY 2024 - AOC, Beaujolais, France (#637835) (XD) - $23.95
• CARPINETO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2023 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#356048) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• NOMAD WANDERLUST 2022 - VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#451328) (XD) - $25.95
• LEANING POST CUVÉE WINONA 2023 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#32020) (XD) - $28.95
• BORGO SCOPETO VIGNA MISCIANO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#36331) (XD) - $35.95  91 pts  wine review
• SAN SILVESTRO PATRES BAROLO 2021 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#377986) (XD) - $37.95  91+ pts  wine review

White Wine:

• BISQUERTT LA JOYA GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2024 - Sustainable, Valle Central, Chile (#48241) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• TOI TOI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#454785) (XD) - $18.95
• BORD ELEGANCE LAUDUN CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE VILLAGES BLANC 2024 - AOC, France (#644385) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• KUTJEVO GRASEVINA 2025 - Slavonia, Croatia (#519074) (XD) - $19.95
• BADENHORST SECATEURS CHENIN BLANC 2025 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#37537) (XD) - $19.95
• ALPHA ESTATE TURTLES SINGLE VINEYARD MALAGOUZIA 2025 - Vegan, PGI Florina, Greece (#32161) (XD) - $21.95  91 pts  wine review
• LOVEBLOCK CHARDONNAY 2022 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#50255) (XD) - $29.95
• CHATELAIN HARMONIE POUILLY-FUMÉ 2024 - Sustainable, AOC, Loire, France (#50130) (XD) - $30.95
• HUFF CATHARINE'S CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#88955) (XD) - $34.00  91 pts  wine review
• FEROX SILVER LION COLLECTION CHARDONNAY 2022 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#53054) (XD) - $35.00

Rosé Wine:

• CHÂTEAU LA TOUR DE L'ÉVÊQUE ROSÉ 2025 - AOC Côtes de Provence, France (#319392) (XD) - $20.95
• AIX ROSÉ 2025 - AOP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, France (#451906) (XD) - $24.95

Sparkling Wine:

• PERE VENTURA PRIMER ORGANIC RESERVA BRUT CAVA 2023 - Traditional Method, DO Cava, Spain (#51587) (D) - $20.95
• ESTERLIN BRUT ÉCLAT CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#49321) (XD) - $64.95

Fortified Wine:

• BARBEITO 5-YEAR-OLD RAINWATER RESERVA MEDIUM DRY MADEIRA - DOP, Portugal (#51850, 500 mL) (MS) - $18.95

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August 15, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Takeout Wines + Austria

Here are my top wine picks from the August 15, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where “Great Wines for Takeout Night” is the feature story, while the mini-theme focuses on wines from Austria. This is a fairly large release, with nearly 115 products offered, including another fine selection of Online & Flagship Exclusive (OFE) wines. As might be expected, the average price per bottle is higher than in the previous release, coming in at almost $29. Overall, this is a fine release with many lovely wines, and a particularly high number of OFEs among my top wine picks. Everything should be readily available for purchase at the LCBO, both online and in stores.

We’ll begin with the feature story, "Great Wines for Takeout Night," which includes eighteen wines, eight of which are among my top recommended buys for takeout night. While I'm not sure I like all of the pairing suggestions in the catalogue, the wines themselves are quite versatile and should pair well with a wide range of cuisines. It is also worth reading the tidbits of information throughout the feature, as they provide useful tips for pairing wine with different types of food. Sparkling wine is arguably the most versatile of all, and this release includes a unique Blanc de Noirs from Bordeaux made with Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Among the dry whites are Assyrtiko from Achaia in Greece and Encruzado from Portugal, while sweeter wines such as the Gewürztraminer from Alsace are well suited to spicy cuisine. The three red wine recommendations include a Côtes-du-Rhône Villages composed of 55% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre, and 1% other varieties; a Brunello di Montalcino made from 100% Sangiovese; and a Rioja made from 100% Tempranillo. Finally, the sweet Oloroso Sherry should be a lovely way to finish the meal with dessert.

While none of the four Austrian Grüner Veltliner wines are included in my list of wine picks below, it would be a wonderful opportunity for the curious wine lover to taste all four side-by-side and compare their differences. I’m sure each one will be delightful!

At the top of my red wine picks is an excellent Amarone crafted from 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, and 20% Rondinella. France contributes a trio of blends, including a Madiran made with Tannat, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon; a Roussillon red crafted with Grenache and Syrah; and a Minervois composed of Syrah and Grenache that was raised entirely in concrete and stainless steel. Other red blends include a Portuguese red composed of Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Alicante Bouschet, as well as a Niagara red made from 57.1% Cabernet Franc and 42.9% Merlot. The mono-varietal reds include a Barolo crafted from Nebbiolo, a Naoussa made from Xinomavro, and an unoaked Cinsault from Chile.

My top white wine recommendations begin in the OFE section, where there are five picks. The white from South Africa is a blend of 70% Chenin Blanc, 11% Clairette Blanche, 8% Viognier, 6% Grenache Blanc, and 5% Sémillon Gris, while the Greek white from Macedonia is composed of equal parts Assyrtiko and Malagousia. The mono-varietal OFEs include an Assyrtiko from Santorini, a Chardonnay from Niagara, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Central Otago in New Zealand. Italy also has three white wine recommendations: a Grillo from Sicily, a Sauvignon Blanc from Friuli, and a Pinot Grigio from Venezie. Rounding out the selection are a Chardonnay from McLaren Vale and a Verdejo from Rueda.

Among my top rosé picks in this release, the rosé from Provence is a blend of 60% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, and 5% Syrah, while the Tavel is more than likely a blend of several varieties, similar to their estate rosé.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CASA SANTOS LIMA COLOSSAL RESERVA 2021 - Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal (#548867) (XD) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
• LUIS FELIPE EDWARDS CINSO RESERVA CINSAULT 2024 - Vegan, Unfiltered, Unoaked, DO Valle del Itata, Chile (#51147) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• FEATHERSTONE GEMSTONE 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#46055) (XD) - $17.95  88 pts  wine review
• FORTANT GRANDS TERROIRS MINERVOIS 2023 - AOC, Languedoc, France (#20713) (XD) - $18.95
• BURGO VIEJO RESERVA 2020 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#168823) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• PLAIMONT GÉOGLYPHE GRAND VIN 2019 - AOC Madiran, Southwest, France (#38859) (XD) - $20.95

• LAFAGE NARASSA 2023 - IGP Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, France (#483313) (D) - $24.95
• LA NERTHE LES CASSAGNES CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE VILLAGES 2023 - AOP, France (#494674) (XD) - $27.95  91+ pts  wine review
• APOSTOLOS THYMIOPOULOS NAOUSSA 2022 - PDO, Greece (#49582) (XD) - $27.95
• QUERCECCHIO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#438580) (XD) - $40.95  91 pts  wine review
• FUMANELLI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#475053) (XD) - $64.95  93+ pts  wine review
• CASCINA SÒT BAROLO DI MONFORTE D'ALBA 2020 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#51591) (XD) - $64.95  OFE

White Wine:

• MONTESPINA SOBRE LÍAS VERDEJO 2025 - Vegan, DO Rueda, Spain (#40788) (XD) - $16.95
• SISTER'S RUN SUNDAY SLIPPERS CHARDONNAY 2024 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#50154) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• ATTEMS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - IGT Venezia Giulia, Firuli, Italy (#708073) (XD) - $19.95
• PLANETA LA SEGRETA GRILLO 2024 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia, Italy (#39442) (XD) - $19.95
• MEIA SERRA DÃO ENCRUZADO 2023 - Sustainable, DOC, Portugal (#51404) (XD) - $19.95
• BORTOLUZZI PINOT GRIGIO DELLE VENEZIE 2024 - DOC, Italy (#27621) (XD) - $23.95  89 pts  wine review

• MEGA SPILEO ASSYRTIKO 2024 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#31680) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• KTIMA GEROVASSILIOU WHITE 2024 - Vegan, PGI Epanomi, Greece (#49573) (XD) - $24.95  OFE  91 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE WELTY BÉLÉNUS GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2023 - AOC Alsace, France (#49863) (M) - $25.95  91 pts  wine review
• TRIUS SHOWCASE WILD FERMENT WATCHING TREE CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#10053) (XD) - $34.95  OFE
• PEREGRINE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand (#32548) (XD) - $35.95  OFE
• MULLINEUX OLD VINES WHITE 2025 - Unfiltered, WO Swartland, South Africa (#556597) (XD) - $39.95  OFE
• ESTATE ARGYROS PURE SANTORINI ASSYRTIKO 2022 - Unfiltered, PDO Santorini, Greece (#51197) (XD) - $116.95  OFE

Rosé Wine:

• VILLA AIX EN PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 - AOP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, France (#668426) (XD) - $19.95
• MARQUIS D'AQUERIA TAVEL 2025 - AOP, Rhône, France (#556274) (XD) - $21.95

Sparkling Wine:

• CELENE AMÉTHYSTE BLANC DE NOIRS BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX - Traditional Method, AOP, France (#19031) (D) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review

Fortified Wine:

• GONZÁLEZ BYASS NUTTY SOLERA MEDIUM OLOROSO SHERRY - DO, Spain (#35204) (S) - $21.95

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