Five inexpensive wines that are a delight

You don’t have to spend a lot to find a good glass of wine. You just need to know what to buy. And by good, I mean one that’s a pleasure to drink — well balanced, well made and keeps you coming back for more. Of course, good should also mean honest value for money. #pricematters. With that in mind, here are five sub-$14 bottles that totally over-deliver. Here’s to living well — without spending large.

2018 Vina Carmen Alario Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley, Chile (LCBO 638239 $8.95 in stores and online)

Brand spanking new to Ontario comes this aromatic, articulate Sauvignon Blanc that brims with flavours of pink grapefruit and damp herbs, lime and green pepper. Stylistically, it hovers midway between Marlborough’s full-throttle expression and the Loire’s more restrained version of the variety — a dry drop that’s easy to enjoy on its own but also gastronomically versatile. It works particularly well with pesto pasta topped with crumbled goat cheese, toasted pine nuts and chicken. Score: 92

2016 Nederburg

“The Winemasters” Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa (LCBO 111526 $11.95 till March 3, reg. $13.95, in stores and online)

South Africa can deliver serious value for money — especially at the lower price points. And this dry, fullbodied Cabernet Sauvignon is a textbook example. Retaining the power and poise for which this grape is known, each sip cloaks the palate with crushed velvet flavours of cassis and cherries laced with toasted spice notes. It’s not terribly complex but delivers outstanding concentration, flavour clarity and length for the price. Pour it with all those seasonally spot-on dishes such as stews, braises and meat pies. Score: 93 2017 Joao Portugal Ramos “Loios” Red, Alentejo, Portugal (LCBO 89912 $9.30 in stores and online) Pronounced “loy-ohs,” this supremely drinkable red is a bit of a find. It hails from a reputable producer — Joao Portugal Ramos — and offers a dry, mediumbodied wash of soft, juicy flavour. Quiet suggestions of damp soil and crushed stone imbue the mixed-berry centre, with a touch of talc-like texture on the finish. This blend of Portuguese grape varieties — Aragones (Tempranillo), Trincadeira and Castelao — is sure to appeal to those who gravitate toward the classic table wines of Europe. Pour it with thin slices of cured ham. Score: 90

2017 Open Smooth

Red Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot VQA Ontario (LCBO 357145 $12.45 till March 3, Reg. $13.45 in stores and online)

If you’re a fan of Sangria, you’ll love this silkysmooth, lighterbodied red bursting with bright flavours of cranberries, strawberries and sugared rhubarb. The bottle packs a whack of sugar — 26 g/L, which works out to about a full teaspoon per standard 5 ounce pour — but that sweetness is well balanced by pristine purity of fruit and mouth-watering acidity, so it finishes clean and dry. Works especially well with salty, umami-rich snacks such as shavings of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Score: 89

2017 Santa Julia

Pinot Grigio Del Mercado, Mendoza, Argentina (LCBO 545723 $13.95 in stores and online)

If you like Pinot Grigio but find the style a bit lean this time of year, try this bottle. It offers more richness than most, without compromising the cool, crisp refreshment factor. Think gleaming flavours of mixed citrus that taste shiny and pure with a subtle top note of mango. Pour this vivacious Argentinean Pinot Grigio as a cocktail alternative, or with such flavourful fare as beef rendang. Score: 89+