If you are looking for value at the LCBO this summer, then follow Nick’s four simple rules.
Don’t be afraid to spend less than $20
A lot of the more expensive wines are meant for aging, not drinking! Do you even own a cellar? Drinking a wine that isn’t ready is drinking a wine that isn’t worth it! Shop under $20 and shop for the here and now.
Go for Unoaked Whites
Oak barrels that are used to make many Chardonnays cost over $500 each and the cost is passed on to you. Unoaked Whites, like Pinot Grigio and Unwooded Chardonnay, are more versatile food matches because oak won’t work with spicy or delicate dishes.
Santi Sortesele Pinot Grigio 2007 is $12.90/bottle and Cockfighter’s Ghost Unwooded Chardonnay 2006 is $15.60/bottle – the money went into the grapes, not a barrel!
Expect the unexpected
Australia means Shiraz, but Cabernet has been made there for 33 years. Wines like Red Knot Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 for $17.95/bottle packs a lot of power for a little pinch of pennies.
Labels can be deceptive
Big celebrity names scare me off, but Francis Ford Coppola has been making wine for more than 30 years. He is much more than a famous name on a bottle. Coppola recently admitted to Howard Stern that he makes more money from wine than from movies.
Francis Coppola Presents Rosso Shiraz 2006 is $16/bottle and offers a big burst of fruit with a generous finish. This is perfect for the grill.