Wines for $10: Budget-friendly bottles for the times
When we asked LCBO product consultant Ellen Keleher to choose her favourite 'go to' wines for $10 or less, she filled up two grocery carts!
In British Columbia, Karen Curtis, product consultant for the BC Liquor Distribution Branch says that one of her customers comes in every month determined to buy only $10 wines.
We may be in the midst of challenging economic times, but there are more than enough great, budget friendly wines to get us through.
What better time than the holidays to try some of the best. Here are some of Ellen and Karen's favourites listed by province or country of origin. Prices are approximate due to provincial differences and in-store promotions. We've added one or two wines that are a bit more expensive in case you'd like to spoil yourself!
Argentina
Familia Zuccardi, Malbec/Shiraz "Fuzion." This is the red you keep hearing about. It is made with the very popular Argentinean grape varietal Malbec and has a full rich taste. $8.99
Familia Zuccardi, Shannon Blanc. Made with another indigenous Argentinean grape, Torrontes, blended with the Shannon grape. $8.99
Finca Flichman, Misterio Malbec. It has a smoky, blackberry flavour and is fuller bodied than a merlot but not as rich as a Cabernet Sauvignon. Keleher has customers who come back for it regularly. $9.90
Australia
Hardy's Stamp series, Riesling Gewurtraminer blend. Good value, fruity, great holiday wine. $10.49
Jacob's Creek Chardonnay. Rich with tropical fruits and peach. $11.25
Mcguigan Black Label Shiraz. Full bodied with black fruit including black plum. $11.80.
British Columbia
Non-VQA
The Naked Grape Pinot Grigio. $8.99
VQA
According to Curtis it is difficult to find a BC VQA wine for $10 or less, but these two aren't much more expensive.
Calona Vineyards, Artists Series, Reserve, Cabernet Merlot. $13.49
Calona Vineyards, Artists Series, Pinot Gris. $13.99
California
Gray Fox Chardonnay. Rich, buttery taste with tropical fruit notes. $7.95
Gray Fox Cabernet Sauvignon. Soft and firm with cassis fruit and toasty flavour. $7.95
Fox Brook Cabernet Sauvignon, Rich berry flavour and a smooth finish. $9.50
Chile
Cono Sur Pinot Noir: This vineyard is also getting lots of attention. Look for black cherry, notes of black pepper and even cola. They also make a good Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. $9.95.
Castillo de Monseran: A red made with the Garnacha grape. $10.99; Castillo de Viura, $9.99, white.
Santa Carolina Chardonnay. Tropical fruit, citrus and buttery notes from the oak contact. $9.50
Concha y Toro, Frontera, Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, $8.98; Frontera Carmenere, $8.98; Full bodied and very drinkable, a big seller for Curtis. They also make a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay for the same price.
France
Patriarche Pere & Fils Pinot Noir, $9.95
Les Fumes Blanches Melon, pear and gooseberry fruit. $11.95
La Vielle Ferme $11.95 A perennial customer favourite with lots of flavour and body.
J.P. Chenet, Merlot Cabernet (Founders Reserve). $12.95
Cotes du Ventous, Chat en Oeuf $13.99 This red, known in English as "Cat on the egg" is one of Curtis's big sellers. Cotes du Ventous also makes a white, Chat en Oeuf Blanc. $13.99
Italy
Casal Thaulero Sangiovese. Crisp with medium body and a taste of red cherry. Sangiovese is an indigenous Italian grape. $7.10
Mezzomondo Negroamaro. A rich red with a fuller body and roasted flavour. $8.40
Ontario
Pelee Island Winery Merlot. A soft before dinner red says Keleher. It's on special at $8.95 until January 4th. Regularly $9.95.
Pelee Island Winery Gamay Noir Zweitgelt. A blend of Gamay and Zweitgelt grapes with strawberry and tart cherry flavours. $10.95
South Africa
Two Oceans Sauvignon Blanc. A zesty taste with citrus fruit and melon. Two Oceans wines have been extremely popular for quite a while. They also make a nice Shiraz. $9.75
KWV Chenin Blanc. South Africa is famous for its chenin blanc. It has a rounder taste and is less acidic than a sauvignon blanc. $7.97; they also make a chardonnay for $9.95
Obikwa Shiraz. According to Keleher, South African shiraz is fairly inexpensive and very good. This one is slightly spicy with black plum fruit and a hint of black pepper. $9.50
SPARKLING WINES
Toast in the New Year with one of these great bargains. Look for a sparkling wine made in the champagne method known as "method traditionelle." Fermentation occurs in the wine bottle itself which produces finer bubbles.
Codorniu Clasico (Spain). This crisp, citrus flavoured sparkling wine is produced in the method traditionelle. $12.10
Hungaria Grande Cuvee Brut (Hungary). This citrus and melon flavoured sparkler is fairly new. $11.10
Freixenet Carta Nevada (Spain). Crisp with a nice balance between sweet and dry. Less expensive than its sibling, the well known Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut. ,$ 11.95
Seaview Brut (Australia). Soft with a strong fruit taste (apricot, pear, lime) and less minerality. $11.95
AFTER DINNER WINE
Paarl Cape Ruby, Ruby Port. (South Africa). Enjoy it with chocolate by the fire! $9.95
Savory & James, Amontillado Sherry (Spain). $12.50
Colio Estates Late Harvest, (Lake Erie, North Shore, Ontario) Pair the rich honey, peach and apricot flavours with a fruit flan, fruit desserts and milder cheeses. $12.95
WINE AND FOOD PAIRINGS
"When you're choosing wine and food matches you either go to contrast the flavours or to augment them," says Keleher.
Turkey: Patriarche Pere & Fils Pinot Noir, $9.95; Pelee Island Winery, Noir Zweigelt, $10.95
Grilled Meat, Roast Beef and Lamb: Obikwa Shiraz, $9.50; Fox Brook Cabernet, $9.50
Pizza and Tomato-based Pastas: Casal Thaulero Sangiovese, $7.10; Mezzomondo Negroamaro $8.40
Thai and Chinese: Vineland Estates Semi-Dry Riesling $13.95
Vegetarian and Seafood: Les Fumees Blanches, $11.45
Horsdeurves: Pelle Island Winery Merlot, $9.95; Two Oceans Sauvignon Blanc, $9.75
Strong Cheeses: Misterio Malbac, $9.90; Mcguigan Black Label Shiraz $11.80