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  review coming soon...
• 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  review coming soon...
• 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  review coming soon...

• MEGA SPILEO ASSYRTIKO 2024 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#31680) (XD) - $24.95  review coming soon...
• 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  review coming soon...
• 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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Urbanihof 4U Grüner Veltliner 2024 (Austria) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2024 Urbanihof Classic Grüner Veltliner last month, tonight's white wine review is another lovely, organic wine from the same producer that also made its debut at the LCBO recently and was featured in the thematic of the April 25th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Weingut Urbanihof, a family-run organic winery that has been passed down from one generation to the next for over 400 years. Urbanihof is situated in Fels am Wagram, in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), which is Austria's largest Qualitätswein winegrowing region.

Today, Weingut Urbanihof is run by the 11th generation of the family – Sonja and Franz Paschinger, while their children, the 12th generation — Lisa, Jakob, and Julia — wait in the wings as they look to manage their family's 40 hectares of organic vineyards. Lisa is a graduate of Höhere Bundeslehranstalt (HBLA) in Fruit and Viticulture in Klosterneuburg, and Jakob is currently a student in the same program at HBLA, while Julia is a wine enthusiast and aspiring lawyer.

The Paschinger family's focus is on sustainability and quality, while striving to offer their customers only the very best. The family places great importance on healthy vineyards and wines that inspire and, since 2000, they have worked as naturally and gently as possible. Weingut Urbanihof became certified organic in 2016, which has allowed them to achieve their ultimate goal of leaving future generations with healthy soils and ample fertile space for growth, and ultimately a foundation for long-term success.

Their philosophy in the densely planted vineyards is to keep yields low, while guaranteeing optimal ripening conditions by intensely managing the soil and canopy. One of the things that make Urbanihof unique is that for the last five years, they have been sustainably producing rich manure through their own composting of horse manure and grape pomace. The manure is then applied to their vineyards, which ensures a healthy, nutrient-rich soil.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Grüner Veltliner that was organically cultivated in the Fels area of the Wagram DAC, in Lower Austria, on deep loess soils. The name "4U" simply means "for you", and was created as an inviting, modern label to make Austrian wine more accessible and in a friendly and approachable manner. It was vinified by undergoing a cold fermentation of 18°C in stainless steel tanks and bottled without seeing any time in oak.

Like the aforementioned Classic Grüner Veltliner, this Grüner is also from a challenging 2024 vintage that produced miraculous results. The growing season featured rain during early bud break and spring frosts, along with rain in early summer and in September, all of which combined to reduced yields. On the positive side, temperatures rose by mid-June, which allowed the grapes to ripen on schedule and reach phenolic ripeness, with the hot temperatures continuing well into September. While challenging, the vintage favoured Grüner Veltliner as the variety is more resistant to rain. The resulting wines made with Grüner Veltliner tend to be ripe and with relatively lower acidity levels. From a good vintage, let's see how this 2024 Grüner Veltliner from Austria is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

URBANIHOF 4U GRÜNER VELTLINER 2024 - DAC Fels, Wagram, Austria (#49424) (XD) - $21.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this organic Grüner Veltliner has a fragrant, medium-high intensity nose of stone fruit, peach, melon, lemon drop, citrus, and grapefruit aromas flecked with leesy minerals. The weighty palate is dry with a slight spritz and delicious, ripe flavours of melon, white peach, stone fruit, lemon citrus, and grapefruit. Acids are clean, fresh, and balanced, while the rounded mid-palate is mildly textured with spice touches. Melon, peach, and citrus notes taper to leesy minerals on the long, crisp, and savoury finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

The Classic Grüner Veltliner is available at the LCBO, while the full range of wines by Weingut Urbanihof can be ordered their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

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Urbanihof Classic Grüner Veltliner 2024 (Austria) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, organic Grüner Veltliner from Austria that made its debut at the LCBO in the recent March 21st LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Weingut Urbanihof, an organic winery that has been run as a family business for over 400 years, passing down from one generation to the next. Urbanihof is located in Fels am Wagram, in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), which is Austria's largest Qualitätswein winegrowing region.

Today, Urbanihof is run by Sonja and Franz Paschinger, the 11th generation of the family. Their children — Lisa, Jakob, and Julia — are waiting in the wings as they look to manage their family's 40 hectares of organic vineyards. Lisa is a graduate of Höhere Bundeslehranstalt (HBLA) in Fruit and Viticulture in Klosterneuburg, and Jakob is currently a student in the same program at HBLA, while Julia is a wine enthusiast and aspiring lawyer.

At Urbanihof, the Paschinger family's focus is on sustainability and quality, while striving to offer their customers only the very best. They place great importance on healthy vineyards and wines that inspire, and since 2000, they have worked as naturally and gently as possible. Since 2016, Weingut Urbanihof has officially been certified organic, enabling them to achieve their ultimate goal of leaving future generations with healthy soils and ample fertile space for growth, a foundation for long-term success.

In their vineyards, which are densely planted, they deliberately keep yields low, while intensive soil and canopy management guarantee optimal ripening conditions for the grapes. One of the many sustainability initiatives at Urbanihof is that they have been producing rich manure through their own composting of horse manure and grape pomace for the past five years. They then apply this manure to their vineyards, which ensures a healthy, nutrient-rich soil.

Their vineyards in Wagram are terraced slopes that were shaped by uplift and subsidence during the last Ice Age, primarily due to storms. These terraces consist of loess – a fine, sandy loam soil – which is particularly well-suited to viticulture. The loess was deposited by windblown loess masses on the terraces formed by the ancient Danube and is now up to 30 metres thick, and beneath the loess are layers of gneiss and gravel. Loess soil has excellent water and nutrient retention capacity, an indispensable characteristic given that there is ever-decreasing rainfall. The climate in Wagram is shaped by the coolness of the Waldviertel region to the north, the mildness of the Danube Valley to the south, and the warm Pannonian winds from the east. Furthermore, Wagram experiences warm days and cool nights.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Grüner Veltliner that was organically grown on deep loess soil within the municipality of Fels am Wagram, from the DAC Wagram appellation in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria). In 2022, beginning with the 2021 vintage, Wagram became the 17th winegrowing region in Austria to be granted DAC status. The grapes underwent a cold temperature fermentation and likely matured in stainless steel, without any oak ageing.

The 2024 growing season presented many challenges and is considered a miracle vintage. Rain during early bud break and spring frosts, along with rain in early summer and in September reduced yields. By mid-June, temperatures rose and allowed the grapes to ripen on schedule and reach phenolic ripeness, with the hot temperatures continuing into September. The year favoured Grüner Veltliner, as the variety is more resistant to rain, with the resulting wines tending to be ripe, and having relatively lower acidity levels. From a smaller than usual crop, with good quality, let's see how this 2024 Grüner Veltliner from Austria is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

URBANIHOF CLASSIC GRÜNER VELTLINER 2024 - DAC Wagram, Austria (#49425) (D) - $24.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this organic Grüner Veltliner has a lovely, deep, medium-high intensity nose featuring a ripe core of lemon citrus and yellow apple aromas accented with white peach, melon, and spice, plus hints of grapefruit and savoury earthy mineral. The medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is fairly dense and concentrated, with a kiss of sweetness offering ripe flavours of lemon citrus, yellow apple, spice, white peach, and melon in a slightly off-dry flavour profile. It's all supported by juicy and refreshing acidity. Savoury and dry with leesy mineral notes lingering on the long, succulent finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

One other wine by Weingut Urbanihof is coming to VINTAGES in a couple of weeks, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

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Domäne Wachau Terrassen Federspiel Grüner Veltliner 2023 (Austria) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of a perennial personal favourite - a certified sustainable and vegan Grüner Veltliner from the Wachau Valley in Austria that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month in the June 7 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Domäne Wachau, one of Austria's most prestigious and renowned wine producers. Situated in the heart of the Wachau Valley of Austria, the estate has a long history, with the earliest documentation of the estate's name going back to the year 1137. The Wachau is a gorge of only 33 km in length and features steep slopes terraced with dry stone walls, fortressed mountains, vineyards, orchards, rare flora and fauna. The estate has changed hands several times over the years, and by 1930 it had become Freie Weingärtner Wachau, the regional wine cooperative of Wachau.

Based in the small town of Dürnstein, near the Danube river in the Krems-Land district, this co-operative is no ordinary cooperative as they are quality-oriented and considered experts among Austria's leading winegrowing businesses. In 2008, the independent wine company was renamed to Domäne Wachau.

Today, under the leadership of Roman Horvath, MW, and Heinz Frischengruber, the wine company's key values are craftsmanship, terroir, and precision. They work in close partnership with their vignerons, while respecting nature and the soil which dominate the hard work on the steeply-sloped vineyards. Domäne Wachau is Austria’s leading organic wine estate with over 160 hectares of organically cultivated vines. The vineyards are organized into small parcels and worked mainly by hand, with each vigneron cultivating less than two hectares on average, and thus allowing the vignernon to focus on the needs of the individual plot. Furthermore, Domäne Wachau produces grand single vineyard (ried) wines that reflect their unique origins and deliver a distinctive and puristic style, with both depth and freshness. Domäne Wachau is a next generation Wine Cooperative like no other on Earth.

The winemaking philosophy at Domäne Wachau is based on working closely with nature, barely intervening during vinification, and accompanying the wines through absolutely minimal activity. Their goal is to nurture and bring out the origin, vintage, and varietal characteristics of every single wine as precisely as possible. With no vintage being the same, time helps shape the wine and gives it balance to produce a natural equilibrium that allows for the aromas to develop slowly and calmly. Domäne Wachau is continuously learning and developing, while the interplay between tradition and innovation comes together in their work in the cellar.

Domäne Wachau has several ranges of wines within their portfolio, and this white wine is from their Terrassen, or Terraces, range. Because grapes from primary rock sites are too tiny for a single vineyard wines, Wachau blends the grapes from these sites to create a series of wines that represent the classic expression of the Wachau and the vintage.

Crafted with 100% Grüner Veltliner, the grapes were grown on steeply terraced vineyards throughout the Wachau Valley. The vineyards are worked on in a sustainable manner, and increasingly, using organic principles, without the use of insecticides or herbicides. After carefully hand-picking the grapes, they are brought to the winery and carefully selected and then processed in a pneumatic tank press. The must is then fermented under a controlled temperature and aged on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks. Grüner Veltliner from these terraced vineyards typically exhibit fresh fruit characters and pronounced minerality.

The 2023 growing season in Austria was a challenging one. It began with an exceptionally mild and dry winter followed by a cool spring, which provided the soil with plenty of moisture. The moisture build-up in the soil was often beneficial to the vines during the hot summer days. It was turning out to be a very good year until several hailstorms came through the region in Autumn. High September temperatures and the resulting ripeness were compensated for by cool October nights, and in the end the grapes were ripe and healthy during harvest. The resulting wines were balanced and harmonious, with complex and juicy aromas, along with a rounder texture and acidity. Let's see how this 2023 Grüner Veltliner from Wachau in Austria is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMÄNE WACHAU TERRASSEN FEDERSPIEL GRÜNER VELTLINER 2023 - Sustainable, Vegan, DAC Wachau, Qualitätswein, Austria (#31534) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. Lovely, clean, and fresh medium-high to highly aromatic nose of ripe and zesty lemon citrus, yellow apple, hay, and pear aromas flecked with stony minerals and touches of peppery spice. The light to mid-weighted palate is dry, zesty, and fresh, with crunchy yellow apple, lemon citrus, and pear flavours nuanced with peppery spice and stony minerality. Clean and well-balanced throughout with fresh and vibrant acidity. Delicious yellow apple and lemon citrus notes taper to leesy-stony minerals on the long, crisp, and juicy finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Domäne Wachau can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Loimer Grüner Veltliner 2013 (Austria) - Wine Review

Tonight's delicious dry white wine was purchased almost a year ago to the day from the October 25 VINTAGES Release. Of course, it's all sold out by now, but I expect we'll see the 2014 vintage on shelves next month.

This is better than the 2011 vintage that I enjoyed in November 2013.

Tasting Note:

LOIMER GRÜNER VELTLINER 2013 - DAC Kamptal, Austria (#142240) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. Fine lemon/lime, mineral and hints of honey aroma profile.  The mid-weight palate has ripe fruit flavours, lemon/lime, and hints of white pepper. Juicy acidity throughout, dry, balanced, hints of pink grapefruit on the long crisp finish. Lovely! Will be enjoyed with Dungeness Crab Curry. Score: 90 pts

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Loimer Grüner Veltliner 2011 (Austria) - Wine Review

Opened this white wine last night, which was purchased from a Vintages release last March. It's extra dry and sure to be enjoyed by all who like crisp, extra dry, white wines. There is a case available in Richmond Hill, if you're interested (click the 6-digit LCBO product code below and then Verify Store Inventory).

LOIMER GRÜNER VELTLINER 2011 - DAC Kamptal, Austria (#142240) (XD) - $19.95

Tasting Note:
Screw cap. Medium-high intense aromas of lemon, flint and mineral waft from the glass. It's medium-bodied and extra dry with lemon/mineral replays and some zesty citrus on the palate. Lots of spice arriving on the mid-palate which fades away to reveal a zesty and oily texture. Lively acidity with a long, mineral-driven finish. Very nice. Score: 89 pts

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