August 1, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Sicily & Sardinia

Happy long weekend!

Here are my top wine picks from the August 1, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where the spotlight is on the wines of Italy's two largest islands—Sicily and Sardinia. This is a relatively small and less-expensive release, featuring 93 products with an average bottle price of just under $26. As always, the wines should be available both online and at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature on Sicily and Sardinia. Winemaking on these Mediterranean islands dates back more than 3,000 years. Today, Sicily ranks as Italy's fourth-largest wine-producing region by volume, while Sardinia is considerably smaller, ranking 14th. Although the feature includes just 10 wines—seven from Sicily and three from Sardinia—fully half are among my top recommendations. Highlights from Sicily include an excellent Frappato red and a refreshing rosé made from the same varietal. The only Sicilian blend comes from Tenute Orestiadi, combining 90% Nero d'Avola with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the lone white wine is made from Grillo. Representing Sardinia is a delicious Cannonau, the island's renowned expression of Grenache (Garnacha).

Continuing with my top red wine picks, Italy remains well represented, with the Chianti Classico predominantly Sangiovese with a touch of Merlot, while the Riserva Chianti Classico is composed of 90% Sangiovese and the balance split evenly between Merlot and Syrah. Also recommended are an impressive Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany and a classic Nebbiolo from Piedmont. Beyond Italy, Portugal offers a Douro red made from a traditional field blend of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Sousão, and old-vine fruit, while the Côtes du Rhône blends 70% Grenache with 30% Syrah. Rounding out the reds are an excellent Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia and a Jumilla red from Spain crafted with approximately 80% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Among my white wine recommendations, Italy once again takes centre stage with three single-varietal wines: a Timorasso from Piedmont, a Garganega from Soave in Veneto, and a Pecorino from Abruzzo. The only blend is a Côtes du Rhône Blanc featuring Viognier, Marsanne, and Grenache Blanc. Other lovely whites include a Grüner Veltliner from Austria, a Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa, and a dry Pinot Gris from Australia. Closer to home, there are two lovely Chardonnays—one from Niagara's Twenty Mile Bench and another from British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.

My rosé recommendations begin with a Loire Valley rosé crafted from Pinot Noir. Two rosé blends also earned a place among my picks: a Niagara wine made from equal parts Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir, and a Luberon rosé from the Rhône composed of Syrah, Grenache, and Rolle. Rounding out my picks is a distinctive Blanc de Noir sparkling wine crafted exclusively from Gamay Noir.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• EL GORU GOLD MAD HAIRY FELLA MONASTRELL/ SYRAH/ CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Vegan, DOP Jumilla, Spain (#13621) (XD) - $19.95  review coming soon...
• JERZU ANTICHI BANTU CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA 2023 - DOC, Sardinia, Italy (#51716) (XD) - $19.95  review coming soon...
• XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2023 - AOP, France (#297317) (XD) - $19.95  review coming soon...
• QUINTA DO VALLADO VINHO TINTO 2023 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#41900) (XD) - $19.95
• TENUTE ORESTIADI RISERVA IL ROSSO DI LUDOVICO 2020 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#388645) (D) - $21.95  91 pts  wine review
• BYRON & HAROLD RAGS TO RICHES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Vegan, Margaret River, Western Australia (#50142) (XD) - $23.95  90 pts  wine review
• PLANETA FRAPPATO 2024 - DOC Sicilia Vittoria, Italy (#508655) (XD) - $23.95  91+ pts  wine review
• RÉVA NEBBIOLO D'ALBA 2023 - DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#38310) (XD) - $29.95
• CARPINETO FARNITO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - IGT Toscana Rosso, Italy (#996553) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review
• VOLPAIA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2023 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#953828) (XD) - $37.95
• VITICCIO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#599308) (XD) - $47.95  91 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• ALVI'S DRIFT SIGNATURE SELECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#41453) (XD) - $14.95
• LES DAUPHINS RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, AOC, France (#18600) (XD) - $14.95
• BRIGALDARA SOAVE 2024 - Sustainable, DOC, Veneto, Italy (#23030) (XD) - $16.95
• ANGOVE PINOT GRIS 2025 - Sustainable, South Australia (#50150) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• UMANI RONCHI VELLODORO PECORINO 2025 - IGT Terre d'Abruzzo, Italy (#289553) (XD) - $17.95  review coming soon...
• COLOMBA BIANCA RESILIENCE GRILLO 2024 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#49369) (XD) - $21.95  89 pts  wine review
• ZULL GRÜNER VELTLINER 2024 - DAC Weinviertel, Austria (#17497) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
• MISSION HILL RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2023 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#545004) (XD) - $27.95
• FONTANAFREDDA DERTHONA COLLI TORTONESI TIMORASSO 2024 - Vegan, Sustainable, DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#36416) (XD) - $29.95
• BACHELDER CUESTA SINGLE VINEYARD FAR EAST, MAN! CRU NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#52011) (XD) - $45.00

Rosé Wine:

• ORGANIZED CRIME ROSÉ 2025 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#16296) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU VAL-JOANIS ROSÉ 2025 - AOP Luberon, Rhône, France (#707281) (XD) - $19.95
• CARUSO & MININI FRAPPO FRAPPATO ROSÉ 2025 - IGP Terre Siciliane, Italy (#43979) (XD) - $19.95
• JEAN-MAX ROGER LA GRANGE DÎMIÈRE SANCERRE ROSÉ 2025 - AOC, Loire, France (#490813) (XD) - $31.95

Sparkling Wine:

• 13TH STREET GAMAY BLANC DE NOIR SPARKLING 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#39728) (XD) - $34.95

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July 18, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Summer Smart Buys + Orange Wines

Here are my top wine picks from the July 18, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here). The feature story for this release is Summer Smart Buys, while Orange Wines serve as the mini-theme. In total, the release showcases 121 products, along with an additional 20 Online & Flagship Exclusive (OFE) wines. It's a strong summer lineup, with white and rosé wines accounting for nearly half of the selection—ideal for warm-weather drinking. All the wines are readily available for purchase both online and at LCBO stores across Ontario.

We'll begin with the "Summer Smart Buys" feature, a theme that first appeared in August 2023 before returning last year. This year's selection includes 24 products: ten whites, ten reds, two rosés, two sake, and one sparkling wine. Six of those wines earn a place among my top recommendations in this release. Leading the white wines are the Creekside Sauvignon Blanc from Niagara, a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, and an ever-fragrant Moschofilero from Greece. On the red side, my picks are a Gamay Noir from Niagara and a Grenache from Australia. Rounding out the feature is a fine Barolo from Piedmont, crafted, of course, from Nebbiolo—perhaps not the most obvious summer wine, but certainly one worth making an exception for.

My lone recommendation from the Orange Wines mini-theme is a Viognier from Chile. Orange wines are made by fermenting white grape varieties on their skins, much like red wines, resulting in wines with added texture, complexity, and their characteristic amber-orange hue.

Among my top red wine picks from the main release, the standout is a superb Amarone crafted from nearly equal parts Corvina and Corvinone, complemented by approximately 15% Rondinella. Close behind is a Rioja that is predominantly Tempranillo with a small proportion of Graciano. Other blends include a Greek red composed of 60% Syrah, 20% Merlot, and 20% Limnio, as well as a Côtes du Rhône red that blends 60% Grenache with 40% Syrah. Rounding out the mono-varietal selections are a Malbec from Argentina, a Merlot from South Africa, and a Gamay from Beaujolais.

My top white wine recommendations begin in Greece with a Santorini Assyrtiko sourced from ancient vines estimated to be 150–200 years old, alongside another fine Assyrtiko from Macedonia. Two white blends also make the list: a Soave composed of approximately 85% Garganega with the balance Trebbiano di Soave, and a Côtes du Roussillon blending Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, and Macabeu. Closer to home, Niagara is represented by a pair of lovely Chardonnays, a fine Sauvignon Blanc, and an excellent Riesling with just a kiss of sweetness. Completing the white wine selections are a Fiano from Campania and a dry Pinot Gris from Wairarapa, New Zealand.

My rosé recommendations include a Bandol composed of 65% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, and 15% Cinsault, along with a Côtes du Rhône Rosé made from approximately 70% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah. For sparkling wines, my picks include a Champagne blended from 40% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, and 25% Pinot Meunier, as well as a Loire sparkler crafted entirely from Chenin Blanc.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CELLIER DES DAUPHINS RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2023 - AOC, France (#14081) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• GLENELLY GLASS COLLECTION MERLOT 2021 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#26669) (XD) - $19.95
• D'ARENBERG THE CUSTODIAN GRENACHE 2021 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#713040) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU DE PONCIÉ BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES ROUGE 2022 - AOC, France (#48908) (XD) - $19.95
• LOS CLOP PARAJE ALTAMIRA RESERVA MALBEC 2023 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#49711) (XD) - $22.95  90+ pts  wine review
• BACHELDER KIRBY SINGLE VINEYARD GAMAY NOIR 2023 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#45139) (XD) - $29.00
• BARÓN DE LEY GRAN RESERVA 2018 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#642496) (XD) - $32.95
• KTIMA GEROVASSILIOU RED 2022 - Vegan, PGI Epanomi, Greece (#32378) (XD) - $38.95  OFE  91+ pts  wine review
• ROBERTO SAROTTO BAROLO 2021 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#49375) (XD) - $39.95  91+ pts  wine review
• BRIGALDARA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2019 - Sustainable, DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#300012) (XD) - $64.95

White Wine:

• M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON BLANC 2024 - AOP, Midi, France (#485656) (XD) - $16.95
• MITRAVELAS WHITE ON GREY MOSCHOFILERO 2025 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#49094) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• PADDY BORTHWICK PINOT GRIS 2025 - Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#555516) (XD) - $19.95
• JANARE FIANO 2025 - DOP Sannio, Campania, Italy (#528786) (XD) - $19.95
• AHI KA BLACKMORE GROWER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Dillons Point, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#41803) (XD) - $20.95
• PIEROPAN SOAVE CLASSICO 2024 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#946848) (XD) - $21.95
• CREEKSIDE BACKYARD BLOCK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#341792) (XD) - $22.00  90+ pts  wine review
• BOUTARI ASSYRTIKO 2025 - PGI Macedonia, Greece (#44246) (XD) - $23.95  90+ pts  wine review
• JACKSON-TRIGGS GRAND RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#25368) (XD) - $24.95
• SIEGEL NARANJO VIOGNIER 2024 - Sustainable, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#37759) (XD) - $27.95
• CHARLES BAKER LAUNDRY VINEYARD RIESLING 2024 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#46059) (D) - $34.95
• CLOUDSLEY TWENTY MILE BENCH CHARDONNAY 2024 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#16093) (XD) - $36.95  92+ pts  wine review
• DIVERGENCE GRIMSBY HILLSIDE VINEYARD FRONTIER BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#51974) (XD) - $53.00  OFE  91+ pts  wine review
• ARGYROS CUVÉE EVDEMON ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#51195) (XD) - $116.95  OFE

Rosé Wine:

• E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2025 - AOC, France (#225003) (XD) - $23.95
• BASTIDE DE LA CISELETTE LOU PIGNA BANDOL ROSÉ 2025 - AOC, Provence, France (#49431) (XD) - $26.95  OFE

Sparkling Wine:

• LAUDACIUS MONTLOUIS-SUR-LOIRE BRUT NATURE SPARKLING - Traditional Method, AOP, Loire, France (#49418) (XD) - $31.95
• FRESNE DUCRET LE CHEMIN DU CHEMIN BRUT 1ER CRU CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#49032) (XD) - $68.95  OFE

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July 4, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Nothing But Chardonnay

Here are my top wine picks from the July 4, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here). After the last release focused on wines not named Chardonnay, this release's feature story is titled "Nothing But Chardonnay" and is a Chardonnay wine lover's delight. Overall, this is a very good release with 99 products offered, and everything should be readily available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature story that focuses on the noble Chardonnay grape varietal. Of the fourteen wines featured as part of the thematic, six wines are included among my top Chardonnay wine picks. These days, Chardonnays tend to be crafted using various methods ranging from fermentation in stainless steel to concrete to various barrel types, and almost always aged in one of these vessels. Looking at my Chardonnay recommendations, the wine by Rustenberg was wild fermented using indigenous yeast and raised entirely in stainless steel tanks, while the Australian Chardonnay was wild fermented and aged in French oak barriques. The Novellum was mostly vinified in tank with a small portion aged in barrel. The complex versions are the wines by Henry of Pelham, Stratus, and Planeta, which were all fermented and aged in barrel.

My top red wine picks from this release begins in Bordeaux with the excellent Pessac-Léognan that is crafted with 65% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, while the Fronsac is made with 100% Merlot. Staying in France, the Côtes du Roussillon-Villages is composed of Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, while the Régnié is from Beaujolais and crafted with Gamay. The rest of my remaining red wine picks are all mono-varietal wines, beginning with a pair of dynamite Pinot Noirs, one each from Prince Edward County in Ontario and Central Otago in New Zealand. From Italy, both Riserva Chianti Classico wines are made with 100% Sangiovese, while the Etna Rosso from Sicily is crafted with Nerello Mascalese.

There are a number of white wine recommendations outside of Chardonnay in this release, with the only blend coming from Costières de Nîmes in Rhône, and it is composed of 50% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 10% Marsanne, and 10% Viognier. From Greece, there is a fine Malagousia, as well as an Assyrtiko. There is also a lovely Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, followed by a Verdicchio from Marche. And lastly, there is a Picpoul from Midi, a varietal we don't see too often in our market.

Among my rosé wine picks, the only mono-varietal rosé is a Pinot Noir from New Zealand, while the rest are all blends. The dry rosé from Provence is composed of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, while the rosé from Abruzzo is a 70/30 blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano. The last rosé is a blend of Castelão and Cabernet Sauvignon from Portugal.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• LUIS GURPEGUI 147 ANIVERSARIO TEMPRANILLO 2021 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#37088) (XD) - $15.95
• GREEK WINE CELLARS FLOWERS XINOMAVRO 2023 - PGI Macedonia, Greece (#49583) (XD) - $17.95
• GÉRARD BERTRAND HERITAGE AN 1886 LES ASPRES GRENACHE/ MOURVÈDRE/ SYRAH 2022 - AOP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, France (#413245) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU MAYNE-VIEIL FRONSAC 2019 - Sustainable, AOC, Bordeaux, France (#14469) (XD) - $19.95
• HOSPICES DE BEAUJEU CUVÉE MARQUISE DE VAUDREUIL RÉGNIÉ 2023 - AOC, Beaujolais, France (#49860) (XD) - $23.95
• FIRRIATO LE SABBIE DELL'ETNA ROSSO 2021 - DOC Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy (#219592) (XD) - $26.95
• LORNANO LE BANDITE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#230672) (XD) - $29.95
• LOVEBLOCK PINOT NOIR 2022 - Sustainable, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand (#313924) (XD) - $29.95  92 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU DE ROCHEMORIN PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2022 - AOC, Bordeaux, France (#48823) (XD) - $39.95  93 pts  wine review
• FÈLSINA BERARDENGA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#32304) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review
• CLOSSON CHASE CHURCHSIDE PINOT NOIR 2023 - Vegan, Sustainable, Unfiltered, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#265074) (XD) - $55.00

White Wine:

• LE JADE PICPOUL DE PINET 2024 - AOP, Midi, France (#350124) (XD) - $17.95
• ZACHARIAS ASSYRTIKO 2024 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#588814) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• RUSTENBERG WILD FERMENT UNWOODED CHARDONNAY 2024 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#48202) (XD) - $18.95
• NOVELLUM CHARDONNAY 2024 - France (#390781) (XD) - $19.95
• FILODIVINO SERRA 46 VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO 2023 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#49371) (XD) - $19.95
• MAS DES BRESSADES TRADITION BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, AOP Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#701094) (XD) - $20.95  88 pts  wine review
• VILLA MARIA WAIRAU VALLEY RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#536201) (XD) - $24.95
• SMALL WONDER LANDSCAPE CHARDONNAY 2024 - Tamar Valley, Tasmania, Australia (#50127) (XD) - $28.95
• DOMAINE COSTA LAZARIDI SINGLE VINEYARD MALAGOUSIA 2024 - Vegan, PGI Drama, Greece (#30609) (XD) - $32.95  91+ pts  wine review
• HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#616466) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review
• STRATUS CHARDONNAY 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#267856) (XD) - $35.20
• PLANETA CHARDONNAY 2024 - DOC Sicilia Menfi, Italy (#485102) (XD) - $56.95

Rosé Wine:

• CASA SANTOS LIMA COLOSSAL RESERVA ROSÉ 2025 - Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal (#50311) (XD) - $13.95  88+ pts  wine review
• S DE LA SABLETTE COTEAUX VAROIS-EN-PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 - AOP, France (#23757) (XD) - $17.95
• ERADUS SADIE ROSÉ 2025 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#43353) (XD) - $19.95
• TORRE ZAMBRA INCASTRO ROSA 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, IGT Terre di Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy (#50316) (XD) - $19.95  88+ pts  wine review

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June 20, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Beyond Chardonnay + Rosés from Provence

Here are my top wine picks from the June 20, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here). The theme of this large release is titled "Beyond Chardonnay", while the mini-thematic takes a very brief look at rosé wines from Provence. With 117 products, this is one of the largest releases of the year, which includes a new batch of Online & Flagship Exclusives (OFE). Overall, it is a very good release, and all the wines should be readily available for purchase both online and in-store at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature story that is titled "Beyond Chardonnay" on the cover of the magazine, while in our media documents it's listed as "Anything But Chardonnay." Regardless, the meaning is the same, offering some fine white wines crafted using varietals not-named Chardonnay. In all, there are twenty delicious alternative white wines, of which four are included among my top white wine picks. The only blend among the bunch is a Côtes du Rhône Blanc that is crafted using a blend of 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8 % Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, and 2% Grenache Blanc. There are a couple of Sauvignon Blanc wines, one by Hidden Bench in Niagara, and the other is by Eva Pemper in New Zealand. The last wine from the thematic is actually an Orange Wine (skin-fermented white) from Chile that is crafted with the Torontel varietal.

My top red wine picks from the main release begin in Tuscany with a Riserva Chianti Classico that is mainly Sangiovese with Canaiolo and Colorino in support. The 2021 Chianti Classico is crafted with 100% Sangiovese, while the 2022 Chianti Classico is a blend of mainly (92%) Sangiovese. From Spain, the 2015 Rioja is composed of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Mazuelo, and 10% Garnacha, while the 2019 Rioja is a blend of 95% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano, and 2% Garnacha. Also from Spain, the Priorat is crafted with 43% Garnacha, 21% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 18% Cariñena. The only other blend is from Chile, and it is composed of 65% Carignan and 35% Carmenère.

All of my white wine recommendations from the main release are mono-varietal wines and, somewhat ironically, it begins with a top Chardonnay from Argentina. There are also a trio of Sauvignon Blanc wines, one each from Marlborough, South Africa, and Sicily. Unique wines in this release include a Pinot Grigio crafted using the Ramato method, an Albariño from Uruguay, and the native Antão Vaz from Portugal.

Among my top rosé wine picks from this release, one is from the mini-thematic featuring Rosés from Provence, and it is composed of 50% Grenache Noir, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Carignan, and 10% Syrah. There is a trio of local, dry rosés worth your attention, with the versions by Stratus and Queylus both crafted with 100% Cabernet Franc, while the rosé by Fielding is a blend of 60% Gamay and 40% Pinot Noir. The last rosé recommendation is from Spain, and it is a blend of Garnacha Tinta and Viura.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• GOMERSAL SHIRAZ 2022 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#49383) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• P.S. GARCIA MALA FAMA 2021 - Valle de Itata, Chile (#50282) (XD) - $19.95
• THE COLONIAL ESTATE EXPLORATEUR OLD VINE SHIRAZ 2023 - Barossa, South Australia (#50676) (XD) - $19.95
• ZUCCARDI MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS MALBEC 2024 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#49616) (XD) - $19.95
• CLOS DE TAFALL 2022 - DOQ Priorat, Spain (#574616) (XD) - $22.95
• LORNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#211599) (XD) - $23.95  91 pts  wine review
• CASTELLO DI QUERCETO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#680496) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review

• PLANETA PLUMBAGO NERO D'AVOLA 2022 - DOC Sicilia Menfi, Italy (#19491) (XD) - $24.95
• ESCUDERO SOLAR DE BECQUER RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#49819) (XD) - $27.95  91+ pts  wine review
• MONCHIERO LANGHE NEBBIOLO 2023 - DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#50758) (XD) - $27.95
• SEÑORÍO DE P. PECIÑA CRIANZA 2019 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#313726) (XD) - $30.95  OFE
• WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - 68th Vintage, Coonawarra, South Australia (#84996) (XD) - $44.95
• KEINT-HE GREER ROAD SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2023 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#51802) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review
• CASTELLO MONSANTO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#719864) (XD) - $58.95  OFE

White Wine:

• VIDIGUEIRA ANTÃO VAZ 2024 - DOC Alentejo, Portugal (#50928) (XD) - $16.95
• ATTEMS RAMATO PINOT GRIGIO 2025 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#111732) (XD) - $19.95
• EVA PEMPER SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#48078) (XD) - $19.95
• GORGHI TONDI MAREMEO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#49062) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• GARZÓN RESERVA ALBARIÑO 2025 - Uruguay (#646802) (XD) - $23.95  91+ pts  wine review
• E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2024 - AOC, France (#290296) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• MATURANA NARANJO TORONTEL ORANGE WINE 2024 - DO Valle del Maule, Chile (#556217) (XD) - $24.95
• SOUTHERN RIGHT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - WO Cape Coast, South Africa (#512277) (XD) - $24.95  OFE
• LOVEBLOCK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#22851) (XD) - $24.95
• HIDDEN BENCH ROSOMEL VINEYARD FUMÉ BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#68825) (XD) - $29.95
• CATENA ALTA HISTORIC ROWS CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, Mendoza, Argentina (#139964) (XD) - $39.95

Rosé Wine:

• MUGA ROSÉ 2025 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#603795) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• FIELDING ROSÉ 2025 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#53421) (XD) - $17.95
• CHÂTEAU PARADIS ESSENCIEL AIX-EN-PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 - AOP, France (#48978) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE QUEYLUS ROSÉ 2025 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#32902) (XD) - $24.95
• STRATUS CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, Estate Grown, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#43598) (XD) - $32.20

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June 6, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Glou Glou

Hello Summer! Here's my top wine picks from the June 6, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where "Glou Glou" is the title of the release. In all, there are 104 products offered in this release, with the ongoing theme throughout being wines for summer drinking, which includes over a dozen rosés. All the wines should be readily available for purchase both online and in-store at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature story titled "Glou Glou", which is actually an onomatopoeia (i.e. words that imitate the sound it's meant to describe.) In the wine world, "glou glou" wines are easy-drinking, refreshing, and not overly serious wines. Furthermore, glou glou wines are often meant to describe chillable red wines. Of the 18 chillable reds that are included in the feature story, four are included in my top wine picks and are ideal for summer drinking. Up first is a Frappato from Sicily, followed by a Cinsault from Chile. The other two chillable red wine recommendations are blends, with the Rioja composed of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Viura, while the Portuguese red from Vinho Verde is a blend of 70% Alvarelhão, 15% Pedral, and 15% Verdelho Tinto.

Among my top red wine picks, we'll begin in Tuscany with the return of the Oreno, an iconic Super Tuscan composed of 45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, followed by the Chianti Classico that is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Malvasia Nera, and 5% Colorino. The remaining wines are all mono-varietals, including a Pinot Noir from Niagara, and a Carmenère from Chile. From Italy, there is the indigenous Lacrima from Marche, and the Montepulciano from Abruzzo. For Cabernet Sauvignon wine lovers, there are wines from Chile and Coonawarra in Australia.

The only blend among my top white wine recommendations is the wine from Côtes de Gascogne in the Southwest of France, and it is a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Gros Manseng. All the other white wine picks are mono-varietal wines crafted in a dry style, including the Riesling from Australia, the Sauvignon Blanc wines from New Zealand, Niagara, and South Africa, as well as the Vermentino from Tuscany. You can also go off the beaten path and try the Carricante from Etna in Sicily, or the Kydonitsa from Greece.

From a new batch of rosé wines, my top rosé wine picks begin with Pinot Noir taking centre stage. The rosé by Hidden Bench is a blend of 88% Pinot Noir, 6% Chardonnay, and 6% Viognier, while the rosé from Uruguay is composed of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Merlot, and 20% Marselan. The other rosé wines are mono-varietals, with the Malivoire rosé made with 100% Pinot Noir, the Greek rosé is 100% Xinomavro, and the Spanish rosé is 100% Garnacha (i.e. Grenache).

My lone sparkling wine recommendation in this release is the 2018 traditional method bubbly by Jackson-Triggs, which was aged on its lees for 5 years and is composed of 53% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Meunier.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• BISQUERTT CRAZY ROWS CINSAULT 2024 - DO Secano Interior, Valle del Itata, Chile (#48197) (XD) - $16.95  88+ pts  wine review
• ILLUMINATI RIPAROSSO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2023 - DOC, Italy (#269985) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• MONTE SCHIAVO MARZAIOLA LACRIMA DI MORRO D'ALBA 2024 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#50813) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• ANSELMO MENDES PARDUSCO VINHO VERDE 2023 - DOC, Portugal (#50869) (XD) - $18.95
• ARTUKE 2024 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#49423) (XD) - $19.95
• TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2023 - Sustainable, DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#57513) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review

• GORGHI TONDI DUMÈ FRAPPATO 2025 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#50571) (XD) - $22.95  90 pts  wine review
• ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA ALTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Sustainable, Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#203364) (XD) - $23.95
• MAZZEI FONTERUTOLI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#977629) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• STONEHAVEN RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#49433) (XD) - $29.95
• WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#427500) (XD) - $33.95  91 pts  wine review
• ORENO 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#735597) (XD) - $99.95  94 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• MULDERBOSCH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#933424) (XD) - $16.95
• FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#89011) (XD) - $17.95
• SAN FELICE VERMENTINO 2024 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#222802) (XD) - $18.95
• KNAPPSTEIN CLARE VALLEY RIESLING 2024 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#49836) (XD) - $18.95
• MAISON FONTAN TATTOO BLANC 2024 - IGP Côtes de Gascogne, Southwest, France (#48562) (D) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• HUIA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#659979) (XD) - $21.95
• TORNATORE ETNA BIANCO 2024 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (#577676) (XD) - $24.95
• TSIMBIDI MONEMVASIA KYDONITSA 2024 - PGI Laconia, Greece (#33254) (XD) - $27.95

Rosé Wine:

• EL GORU ROSADO GARNACHA TINTA 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, DO Jumilla, Spain (#49815) (XD) - $14.95  88+ pts  wine review
• BODEGA GARZÓN ESTATE PINOT ROSÉ DE CORTE 2025 - Garzón, Uruguay (#15265) (XD) - $19.95
• KIR-YIANNI XINOMAVRO ROSÉ 2025 - Vegan, PGI Macedonia, Greece (#39595) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review
• MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ 2025 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#498535) (XD) - $23.95
• HIDDEN BENCH LOCUST LANE ROSÉ 2025 - VQA West Niagara, Ontario, Canada (#68833) (XD) - $26.95  91 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• JACKSON-TRIGGS ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE BRUT SPARKLING 2018 - Traditional Method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#234161) (XD) - $34.95  91+ pts  wine review

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