Get ’em while they’re hot and under $10
These clean, well-balanced wines will keep you living well while keeping that all-important budget in check. After all, tax season is right about now
In July, this column reported that prices for imported wines would rise at the LCBO when new freight costs kicked in. Those charges have taken effect, and now very few wines cost $10 or less. Read on for a roundup of wines that still fall under that threshold and are actually a pleasure to drink — with food pairings for each.
The one Italian Pinot Grigio that has held its price is the 2021 Mare di Sirena Pinot Grigio (LCBO $9.95), which offers honest value for money — which we can all get behind these days.
The 2021 Mare di Sirena Pinot Grigio shines clear and bright and swirls with clean aromas of lemon zest with a touch of wet stone. Then, it streams in with satinycrisp, citrusy flavours and surprising mid-palate concentration, body and length. You’ll find lemon zest and grapefruit flavours on the attack that taper toward a slow sea spray and wet stone finish.
Score: 93
Pour this Pinot Grigio with roast chicken, mashed potato and a little gravy — and salad on the side — for an economical yet satisfying meal.
This wine writer is thrilled to see the two Julia Florista wines — the red and the white — will remain less than $10 each for the foreseeable future.
The 2021 Julia Florista White Vinho Regional Lisboa from Portu- gal (LCBO $8.95) is a dry blend of Ferna o Pires and Arinto — two Por- tuguese varieties — offering an intriguing taste profile that’s easy to enjoy on its own or with food. Each sip erupts with immediately quenching appeal. Juicy pineapple, mango and pear laced lightly with delicate floral notes are found on the nose and palate. And a long, grapefruit peel finish with a sprinkle of salt leaves the palate scraped clean and nicely seasoned.
Score: 92
This wine works very well with a Portuguese seafood rice dish called Arroz de Mariso, similar to Spanish paella. It’s also excellent with tandoori chicken and rice.
The 2021 Julia Florista Red Vinho Regional Lisboa from Portugal (LCBO $9.85) is a jammy red that teems with wild blueberry pie on the nose and palate. Its sweet-fruited entry shifts toward more savory suggestions of roasted almonds and hazelnuts before finishing with a touch of black olive on the finish. Outstanding value. Score: 93
Enjoy a glass of this Portuguese red with some slices of dry-cured ham for an easy treat. Or serve it to friends with a cheese or charcuterie board and basket of good bread for a convivial evening in. Light candles, turn on the music and let the worries drop away.
Also from Portugal and excellent with that cheese and charcuterie board is the 2020 Bacalhoa JP Azeitao Syrah Castelao Aragonez (LCBO $9.95). Though the price falls below $10 now, it’s scheduled to rise to $10.95 soon — possibly even by time this column runs. But the wine is worth every cent. The fragrance is all about wild berries — blueberries, blackberries and raspberries — with just enough underbrush and slate to keep it vinous and food friendly. It’s dry — slightly drier than the Julia Florista Red noted above — drinkable and supremely food friendly. Excellent value. Score: 93
Also holding at $10 is the Toro Bravo Tempranillo Merlot from Valencia, Spain, which was wildly popular upon release in 2019 when it was a mere $7.95. This critic scored that wine, which was the 2017 vintage, 96 points. The 2020 now on shelf is not quite as good and, like everything these days, costs more. But it’s still not bad, and it will almost certainly appeal to those looking for drier-tasting, Old World style wine at a low price. The 2020 Toro Bravo Tempranillo Merlot DO Valencia, Spain (LCBO $10) starts with scents of blackberry before rushing in with more of the same. The entry shifts to a slightly earthier, drier-tasting expression with suggestions of blackcurrant, black cherry and charred black earth. A subtle dusty berry and black olive note completes each sip. Score: 89
Serve this Spanish red with chorizo sautéed in good olive oil with peppers and onions. Sends you straight to Spain. It also works with good, old-fashioned shepherd’s pie. Or, for a plant-based pairing, whip up a mushroom-and-walnut meat loaf, and serve it with quinoa and steamed green beans. Delicious.
These clean, well-balanced wines will keep you living well while keeping that all-important budget in check. After all, tax season is right about now.
CAROLYN EVANS HAMMOND IS A TORONTO-BASED WINE WRITER AND A FREELANCE CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST FOR THE STAR. WINERIES OCCASIONALLY SPONSOR SEGMENTS ON HER YOUTUBE SERIES YET THEY HAVE NO ROLE IN THE SELECTION OF THE WINES SHE CHOOSES TO REVIEW OR HER OPINIONS OF THOSE WINES. ALL PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. REACH HER VIA EMAIL: CAROLYN@CAROLYNEVANSHAMMOND.COM