Top Wine Picks for $25 or Less

As the kids head back to school, we experience the unofficial end of summer, though technically we have until September 22^nd before the fall equinox kicks in. For many in Canada, it means the end of half-day Fridays and time to get back to work in earnest.

Sounds like the ideal time for us to send along some of our recent top wine picks, and this week we’re featuring a few amazing wines that top out at $25.95!

To celebrate getting the kids out of your hair, we suggest the 2012 Sparkling Chardonnay from Okanagan Valley’s Bella Wines. This unassuming award-winning winery is known for producing great value bubblies and their Sparkling Chardonnay is no different. It has a wonderful nose of stone fruits and lemon that is echoed on the palate while the finish is soft and long with floral notes and a hint of melon. Crisp, clean, and balanced, this wine makes a great aperitif – or pair it with a variety of cheeses or spicy Asian fare!

If you’re a fan of classic-style Rieslings, then look no further than the 2012 13^th Street Vineyard Riesling! With grapes harvested exclusively from old vines, you’ll find notes of citrus, stone fruit, green apple, and cloves with a light minerality. Juicy and lush, with a great balance of acidity it pairs well with seafood, a variety of pork dishes, and artisanal cheeses. On sale this month at $4 off per bottle, you can give it a whirl right now for under $20!

The 2012 Chardonnay from Oxley Estate Winery on the north side of Lake Erie, ON is definitely a recent favourite. Fresh and lively with notes of apple, citrus, peach and almond, this Chardonnay is a real treat and excellent value at under $20. It pairs well with a variety of cheeses and other foods, and is also great on its own.

The 2012 Honest John’s Red from Road 13 Vineyards, recently ranked the #8 winery in Canada at the National Wine Awards, is fantastic. This Okanagan winery consistently produces great wines, and Honest John’s Red is a real bargain at just $20. Juicy and vibrant, it packs a punch with rich aromas of cherry, red licorice, and plum followed by notes of smoky dark chocolate. Complex flavours are delivered beautifully, revealing a superb, luscious wine! Good with anything from the grill.

Last, but not least, we were lucky enough to try the recent Platinum Award winning Syrah from Okanagan’s Thornhaven Estates, and it certainly delivers! Wonderfully complex aromas include blackberry, cherry, vanilla, pepper and tobacco - this is a lush, full-bodied and savoury wine with a nicely balanced finish at an amazing price point. Pair it with beef tenderloin, lamb, or Tuscan style pork roast – or a second bottle!

We hope you enjoy this week’s featured wines which offer something for everyone.  We’ll keep the recommendations coming.

Now back to work!