Spier Signature Collection Cabernet Sauvignon
Spier Signature Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Spier Signature Collection Cabernet Sauvignon
Spier Signature Collection Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $12.95
Tastes Like:
Chocolate, Raspberry Jam, Vanilla
Sean’s Take
For around $13 there are many other bottles that can compete for your hard earn cash. The fruit and oak were hard to pick out and I didn’t find myself going back for a second glass.
For the same price, I suggest one of my top picks Fuzion Organic Malbec Cabernet
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Open Pinot Grigio 2020
Open Pinot Grigio 2020 Open Pinot Grigio 2020
Open Pinot Grigio 2020
Price: $12.95
Tastes Like:
Candied Almonds, Citrus, Pear
Serve With:
Chicken Fajitas, Baked Brie, Mixed Nuts
Sean’s Take
Sometimes I skip the Pinot Grigios from Italy because they can be so sharp and acidic. Sometimes that’s a good thing with rich foods, but not for sipping on a Sunday afternoon. This Canadian made Pinot Grigio is completely different than its Italian cousins. Bursting with fruit flavours and a nice citrus scent. Easily a crowd pleaser.
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LCBO | Wine Searcher
Primus The Blend 2018
Primus The Blend 2018 Primus The Blend 2018
Primus The Blend 2018
Price: $19.95
Tastes Like:
Raspberry, Black Cherry, Blueberry
Serve With:
Smoked Turkey, Souvlaki, Goat Cheese Frittata
Sean’s Take
This red blend is a really well made medium bodied wine. Great choice if you’re looking for something a little more subtle and less in your face bold like a Zinfandel and most Cabs. It just makes the No Snob Wine price cutoff but it easily competes with its peers. It is very easy to sip on its own and will easily pair with a wide variety of foods.
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Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2021
Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2021 Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2021
Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2021
Price: $9.95
Tastes Like:
Pear, Lemon, Green Apple
Serve With:
Popcorn, Omelettes, Quiche
Sean’s Take
This wine was a bit of a surprise being under ten dollars. It has a distinctly citrus/lemon scent when you smell it. On the taste, I found melon, apple, and very ripe pear. The challenge I found with the wine is that it’s all a bit smashed together. Reminds me of those fruit cups in a tin drowned in syrup. Every bite tastes different and simultaneously the same. Strong mouthfeel, coats your mouth, almost oily. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes we like a good fruit cup.
Chenin Blanc is a very underrated grape and can range from tropical to honey in flavour. I highly recommend everyone try it. It’s like a Chardonnay and a Dry Riesling had a baby.
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Malamatina Retsina
Malamatina Retsina Malamatina Retsina
Malamatina Retsina
Price: $6.20
Tastes Like:
Lemon, Pine, Clove
Serve With:
Spiced Olives, Ginger Cookies, Rosemary Chicken
Sean’s Take
Yes, you read that correctly, pine. The lemon or citrus is immediately clear on the first sniff, then the surprise. Retsina is an ancient style of wine where pine resin was used to seal the wine vessel imparting a pine taste to the wine. Today pine resin is introduced in the winemaking process to achieve the flavour. This is very different from what you’re probably familiar with and a bit of surprise on the first sip. It’s not offputting but takes a few sips to get oriented. It’s a fun wine to try for just a few bucks. It’s…an experience.
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Adobe Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Organic 2020
Adobe Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Organic 2020 Adobe Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Organic 2020
Adobe Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Organic 2020
Price: $13.95
Tastes Like:
Citrus, Pineapple, Mineral, Honeydew
Serve With:
Fresh Fruit, Asparagus Pasta
Chuck’s Take
When looking for a Sauvignon Blanc I’d typically go New Zealand but this Organic, non-GMO vegan wine from Chile is a hit for the price point. Light-medium body, extra dry with a lime zest finish.
Sean’s Take
First thing notice is how inviting the smell is. Bright and clean taste with a nice balanced aftertaste. Light touch of pepper makes it very interesting! Summer crowd pleaser & patio sipper. Organic wine bonus points.
This wine was featured in Episode 007 The Dos and Don’ts of Ordering Wine at Restaurants of The Wine Podcast for Everyone
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Ironstone Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 2018
Ironstone Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 2018 Ironstone Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 2018
Ironstone Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 2018
Price: $17.95
Tastes Like:
Leather, Smoke, Oak, Spice, Black Currant
Serve With:
BBQ Ribs, Charcuterie Board
Chuck’s Take
A big, round and juicy California Zinfandel. Extra dry with an oaky finish. If you could imagine what 50% California Cabernet and 50% Aussie Shiraz tastes like, you just virtually tasted this wine.
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Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo 2019
Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo 2019 Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo 2019
Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo 2019
Price: $14.95
Tastes Like:
Sour Cherry, Red Plum, Violet
Serve With:
Tapas
Chuck’s Take
Medium-light body with a dry finish and medium tannins that hit the middle of your tongue (not so much on the gums).
Today I learned that Rioja style is to Spain what Bordeaux style is to France. Tempranillo being the main grape.
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Casa Todelano Tempranillo 2018
Casa Todelano Tempranillo 2018 Casa Todelano Tempranillo 2018
Casa Todelano Tempranillo 2018
Price: $8.30
Tastes Like:
Strawberry Jam, Raspberry Jam, Light Oak
Chuck’s Take
My impression was that it smelled artificial and manufactured. A one dimensional juicy, jammy red upfront, with an oak driven tannic finish. Not the value find I thought it might have been. However, if you love-love-love value reds, I’ve had waaaaay worse, roll the dice on a cheap-de-la-cheap weekday pizza wine if that’s your game.
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Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2019
Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2019 Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2019
Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2019
Price: $14.95
Tastes Like:
Yellow Pear, White Grapefruit, White Peach, Floral, Pineapple
Serve With:
Pasta Alfredo or Primavera, Lobster Roll
Chuck’s Take
Importantly un-oaked. This crisp and acidic chardonnay keeps your mouth watering for the next sip. If experience has led you to believe that all chardonnays are made into heavy, buttery, barrel aged viscous whites – this one will put un-oaked versions of this varietal back on your shopping list!
Prince Edward County is a newer winemaking region in Ontario that’s certainly growing in popularity. The region produces tends to specialize in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. I bought this bottle directly from the winery in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada.
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Paul Mas Réserve Marsanne 2019
Paul Mas Réserve Marsanne 2019 Paul Mas Réserve Marsanne 2019
Paul Mas Réserve Marsanne 2019
Price: $13.95
Tastes Like:
Peach, Apricot, Honey
Serve With:
Halibut, Alfredo Sauce, Scalloped Potatoes
Sean’s Take
If you’re interested in trying something besides your usual Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc this is well worth the price of admission. Really obvious stone fruit flavours, and a sort of raisin flavour. It vaguely tasted like Welch’s White Grape Juice for a moment. Lingers in your mouth for a while, really nice sweet/acid balance. There’s a lot happening in the glass at this price point.
Ontario readers: This is a limited release.
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Laura Hartwig Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Laura Hartwig Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Laura Hartwig Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Laura Hartwig Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Price: $16.95
Tastes Like:
Blueberry, Plum, Cocoa
Serve With:
Wood Fired Pizza, Beef Stroganoff, Roasted Whole Chicken
Sean’s Take
This is a truly remarkable wine that costs less than $20. If this bottle was coming out of California they would charge double. It has loads of fruit flavour but is somehow balanced and bold simultaneously. As table wines go, it is technically very dry (2g sugar per litre) but has a surprising level of implied sweetness. The acid and tannins are matched perfectly to the sweetness for that Goldilocks just right glass.
It’s a perfect blend of three Bordeaux grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. You can learn more about them on our About Wine Grapes page.
In the early 2000’s a version of this wine launched my search for the best inexpensive wines. I purchased more bottles than I care to admit (and have done so again). I have not seen this wine in 15 years and have never forgotten about it.
If you live in Ontario, Canada this wine is a limited release and is going fast, as in run don’t walk, fast. Click the shop link below to find it near you.
Please let us know if you love it as much as we do.