Best Value Wines under $25

Zesty & Mineral

Gilvesy winery is located in the outskirts of Lake Balaton, near an ancient dormant volcano, in Hungary. Hungarian expat Robert Gilvesy moved back to his homeland from Canada to start this exciting project involving native grape varieties and volcanic soils.

This blend is light and fresh. On the nose, it's all about hints of mint, lemon and fresh cucumber, while on the palate it's zesty, with notes of green apple and citrus fruit.

It's delicious when paired with summer meals: fresh salads dressed with dried fruits such as cranberries and walnuts, grilled fish with potatoes and zesty ceviches.

Fresh & Crisp

Located on the hills that rise from the Adriatic Sea and neighbouring the coastal town of Vasto in Abruzzo, the Jasci family has been growing grapes and producing wine for three generations.

This vegan-certified wine made from Pecorino grapes is elegant and delicate, and shows aromas of grapefruit, apricots and nectarines. On the palate is pleasant, fresh and light-bodied. This Pecorino wine has a special saltiness and an aftertaste of bitter almonds.

Wines made from Pecorino pair extremely well with Pecorino cheeses drizzled with a bit of honey as well as vegetables, fish and white meats.

Fresh & Mineral - The Pinot Grigio Killer

Wines from Soave are made with the local grape Garganega. Cantina Tessari has its vineyards in the volcanic hills above il Castello di Soave, which is the original - or 'Classico' - wine growing area in Soave, the best vines are located here.

Tessari’s golden straw coloured Grisela is the backbone of the vineyard; a delicious entry level wine that is meant to be enjoyed on any occasion. Melba toast, elderflower and chamomile aromatics fill the glass with a notable mineral quality. The taste of crushed seashells dance on your tongue with a fun duo of stone fruit and citrus. The finish is refreshing with balanced acidity.

Grisela is excellent as an aperitif. Perfect with light appetizers, rich Italian seafood, risotto with black squid ink or on its own.

Bright & Creamy

The Baud estate dates back to 1742, today the 9th generation manages the winery. Siblings Clementine and Bastien, both under 30, are making some of the best value wines in the area. Jura is that narrow valley in the remote hills between Burgundy and Switzerland, which millions of years ago was covered by an Ocean and today still bares many of the fossils from that time.  If you kick a stone in a Jura vineyard, it will probably be a fossil. 

This sparkler, or Crémant, is made in the traditional Champagne style, where the second fermentation happens inside the bottle. This Crémant has rich aromatics of apple fruit with citrus, toasted brioche and a striking minerality. It sparks a great balance between creaminess and vivacity.  If you like Champagne, but not the price tag, then this is the wine of choice for you. 

It is very versatile at the table and you can drink this with almost any dish: try it with all types of classic cuisine or even spicy Asian dishes, caramelized popcorn or fried chicken!

Floral & Salty

Cantina Barbera is located in Menfi, on the west coast of Sicily. The vineyards, that are farmed following organic and biodynamic practices, are about one mile from the Mediterranean Sea: an uncontaminated deep blue sea. The low cliffs and sandy dunes create a beautiful environment for the grapes to thrive, and are also protected by the Belice River Natural Reservation Fund.

Kalìo is a Sicilian word used to describe the buzzy noise of popcorn, the same noise that friends make when catching up at a party. The wine is made with laughs, talks, and funny jokes. This 100% Perricone is a lively ruby colour with violet shades. The nose is a playful blend of red berries and geranium flowers. The smooth tannins enrich a medium-bodied palate, where spicy notes of star anise and ginger stand out against a persistent saline background.

Kalìo pairs well with red meats, pasta dishes and cheeses, and it is a very interesting companion to spicy fish soups and grilled tuna fish.

Tropical & Mineral

This is by far one of the coolest Sauvignon Blanc wines we have ever tasted. This white wine is made next door to Auxerre, in the region of Chablis. It's kind of a unicorn wine: in Burgundy, Chardonnay and Aligoté are generally the only white varieties allowed to be grown. However, St Bris is the exception! This white Burgundy is made with 100% Sauvignon Blanc. The Saint Bris has aromas of citrus fruits like grapefruit and mandarin orange that jump out of the glass, this is followed by peach, and crushed blackcurrant leaves with light exotic scents like lychee. This complexity on the nose follows through on the palate which is textured, soft and floral, with a distinct minerality on the finish.

Saint Bris calls for oysters! It's also a wonderful choice with herb-driven sauces over chicken and fish dishes. We also love pairing it with Vietnamese and Thai meals with lots of lemon-grass, and fresh cheeses.

Ripe & Fruity

Pardevalles is recognized for being one of the driving forces behind the D.O Tierra de León, betting on the development of the indigenous grape varieties Prieto Picudo and Albarín Blanco.

This 100% Prieto Picudo rosé is intense and fresh on the nose.  Rich and hypnotizing aromas of raspberry, strawberry, herbs, citrus and red rose petals jump out of the glass.  These flavours follow through on the palate, which is both powerful and flavourful, while maintaining great freshness.

Enjoy this one on its own while basking in the sun.

Floral & Fruity

A collaboration between Nicholas Pearce and Will Predhomme to create wines from their favourite regions. This Cinsault/Syrah is made from bush vines planted in Koffieklip soils in the Southwestern of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

It has a brilliant medium purple colour in the glass. On the nose, it's all about fresh ripe red & black fruit: cherry, strawberry, wild raspberry; with hints of intense spice, it also has a granite minerality. On the palate it is light-bodied, with a vibrant acid and grippy though delicate tannins. It intermingles with surprisingly powerful fruit & spice; punching above its weight in flavour. It is very balanced with low alcohol.

This light red pairs with all manner of dishes: from barbecue meats to grilled salmon and veggies, to spicy dishes.

Full & Fresh

Mas Carlot is situated in the south of the Rhône Valley, extending across 76 hectares of pebbly land southeast of Nîmes. This blend of 60% Roussanne, 30% Marsanne and 10% Viognier is outstanding.

An elegant white that offers up notes of peach marmalade, apricots, honeyed pears, candle wax and a touch of buttered brioche. With a good fresh acidity as well as abundant fruit and flavour, this attractive, medium-bodied wine overdelivers.

Pair this rich white well with shellfish, chicken, veal, pork and vegetables prepared with savoury butter, cream or mild cheese-based sauces.

Bright & Juicy

At the very heart of the Rhône Valley, at the northerly tip of the Southern Rhône, lie the vineyards of Grignan-Les-Adhémar.

Le Devoy checks in as a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. It has terrific notes of forest floor, cracked pepper, flowers and darker berry fruits as well as medium-bodied richness, an elegant, supple texture and notable purity of fruit. This wine has considerable charm and appeal and makes for a great everyday bottle.

Pair this wine with just about anything!

Bold & Earthy

Unlike many winemakers, Frederic Brouca is largely self-taught and took no formal courses on viticulture or winemaking.  His concept of growing grapes and winemaking focuses on reducing human intervention in the processes, and making it as natural as possible.

This single-vineyard blend of Grenache, Syrah & Carignan offers a perfect combination of balance and power. Rich dark fruit and savoury roasted meat notes pop from the glass. The flavours are vibrant with a rich symphony of red, blue and black fruits along with a peppery spice note and a long, clean finish. 

Pair with hearty winter stews, grilled lamb chops or enjoy on its own in front of a cozy fire after a long day.

Bold & Floral

Located on the hills that rise from the Adriatic Sea and neighbouring the coastal town of Vasto in Abruzzo, the Jasci family has been growing grapes and producing wine for three generations. In 1980, the family decided to convert the farm to organic, becoming one of the first ten wineries in all of Italy to be certified. 

This vegan-certified wine is made from hand-picked Montelpulciano grapes cultivated at 250 meters in the sunny hills of Abruzzo. The healthy grapes macerate on the skins for 15 days and age in concrete tanks. Expect intense floral aromas of violet on the nose that intermingle with fruity notes of strawberry and black currant, backed with fragrant hints of cinnamon and vanilla. On the palate is full-bodied, round and with a long fruity aftertaste.

This bold Montepulciano d'Abruzzo pairs well with flavourful dishes, such as hoisin and balsamic glazed lamb chops or seared mushrooms with garlic and thyme.

Rich & Bold

Finca Aylés is located in the northeast of Spain, near the city of Zaragoza, halfway between Madrid and Barcelona.  The wine project of the Ramón Reula family began its journey in the 1980s and ended with the reunification of various properties that had belonged to the Finca Aylés since the Middle Ages. Today, Aylés is one of the largest private historical farms in Aragón.  

Attractive deep cherry red in colour. The wine displays a pronounced intensity on the nose, well defined, with an extraordinarily complex and wide range of aromas; think dark red fruits, ink, and spices.  On the palate the wine is clearly defined by its elegance and ripe fruit intensity. It's harmonious and well balanced leading to a rich finish. 

It's the perfect wine to pair with rich meats and anything on the BBQ.

Bold & Earthy

Casa Los Frailes (“Cals Frares” in  the old local language) takes their name from the Jesuit Friars that used to live in the Estate over two centuries (XVII to XVIII). The Casa Los Frailes estate now belongs to the Velázquez family and has for over 250 years, today the 13th generation runs the winery. Frontrunners in organic agriculture and biodynamics, the estate consists of vineyards, Mediterranean forest, almond and olive trees.

A blend of Monastrell and Syrah, its personality makes it a dark, warm and complex wine. On the nose, it has intense aromas of red fruits, jam, cherries and plums; paired with smoky tones, notes of liquorice and coffee. On the palate, the fruit perfectly blends with the oak, showing sweet tannins followed by a round, rich and deep structure.

This bold wine begs for rich foods, that's why we recommend beef short ribs, lentils, shiitake and portobello mushrooms, lamb, rabbit, soy sauce and black pepper... Adding herbs to your dishes such as thyme, lavender and rosemary will also enhance the floral character of the wine.

Bright & Creamy

Our favourite bubbly wine is back for its 8th vintage and as always, made in partnership with Lighthall Vineyards in Prince Edward County. This is a small batch “Brut Blanc” Cuvée, made using the Charmat method bottled as VQA Ontario. This vintage shows a blend based on early pick Niagara Peninsula Vidal from St David’s Bench with Prince Edward County Riesling from South Bay.

We had an instant crush on this new vintage: the beautiful bubbles are so nicely integrated and complement the wild floral aromas of the Vidal, all backed by the bracing acidity and orchard fruit of the South Bay, Prince Edward County Riesling. Dangerously delicious in the glass, this wine is built for both celebration and gastronomy.

The Ward 5 Brut Blanc’s very well balanced acidity makes it perfect to pair with oily and fatty foods, such as cheese boards, salmon, roasted chicken or even fish and chips!

Juicy & Fresh

Punset is an innovator when it comes to organic wine. Inheriting the estate in 1982, Marina Marcarino is a fifth generation winemaker.

This red is called 'Neh! after a popular Piedmontese slang used to finish a sentence, similar to  'eh. It is a blend of Dolcetto, Barbera and Nebbiolo, the local red grapes in Piedmont.  This wine has deep fruity aromas with red summer fruits, like black cherry, strawberries and raspberries. The colour is dark ruby and the wine shows good structure, acidity and medium body with a distinct earthiness.

Punset Neh! is an everyday wine, perfect with all kinds of food and even by itself. Uncork this bottle any time and enjoy it!

Fresh & Balanced

A true Niagara Villages wine focused on a blend of organic, biodynamic and uncertified sustainably farmed vineyards throughout the Peninsula with a focus on Quarry Road (Vinemount Ridge), Cherry Road (Twenty Mile Bench) & the Tintern Vineyard. The grapes are harvested, destemmed, wild fermented "whole berry" for 18 days, before gravity flow takes them into French barrels. This fresh Pinot Noir was then left to age for 16 months in barrel before bottling.

The 2019 vintage is marked by elegance over power, brimming with brightness and approachability straight out of the gate, with not hard edges. Light ruby-red in the glass, high toned aromas of cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, backed by roasted herbs, spice and pepper. Great weight and poise for Ontario, but still the light to medium bodied Pinot Spectrum with balanced tannins and acids holding on to fine and lengthy finish.

Certainly a vintage on the edge, marked by many cold and wet days. However, as every mother does, mother (nature) kicked in and saved the day with a gloriously warm and dry finally to the cooler growing season.

Bright & Creamy

Arguably one of our best values in bubbly. This cava is made from Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Mas Codina is a 40 hectare estate in the Alt Penedès which dates back to 1681. This Cava Brut Nature Reserva was hand-harvested from 20 to 30-year-old vines and estate bottled. Farming is 100% organic on the estate. Though it does not say it on the label, the wine is 100% single vintage and is aged on its lees for a minimum of two years before release.

This Cava has a lovely, fruity nose with ripe yellow pear, a hint of vanilla and soft biscotti notes. It is light to mid weight, slightly creamy yet firm and dry on the finish.

Cava is fantastic with fresh salads, crudités, raw oysters and summer dishes like Spanish Gazpacho. It's creaminess makes it a perfect pairing for roast chicken and all kinds of fish.

Fresh & Juicy

Produced by Villa Calcinaia, who is located in the heart of Chianti Classico, near the village of Greve-in-Chianti. This Tuscan estate has been home to the Capponi family since 1524, and continues to be owned by them to this day.

This wine displays notes of red cherry, cranberry and mineral aromas. It's smooth, medium bodied and dry with vibrant red fruit flavours, soft tannins and bright acidity.

Chianti Classico wines are awesome with fatty dishes and tomato sauce-based meals, such as pizza and pasta! It also pairs amazingly with charcuterie and cheese boards, or rich pieces of meat like Bistecca alla Fiorentina.

Fruity & Juicy

The dream of four French partners in Argentina's Mendoza Province. The Malbec vines grow in the southwest of San Rafael, an oasis surrounded by large canyons and crossed by two rivers. This Malbec opens up with red fruits, black raspberry and tones of fresh leather. It's chewy and sumptuous on the palate, with firm tannins and a very well balanced acidity.

This is the perfect BBQ wine, but it is also capable of so much more! Rich meats, stews and braises are a great match, or try leaner meats with fruity and hearty sauces such as pork tenderloin with prunes and red wine jus. Another favourite, enjoy alongside a prime rib roast!

Zesty & Creamy

Located 50 km east from Saint-Émilion, the Barouillet family has been growing grapes for at least 8 generations in Pécharment, Monbazillac and Bergerac. Vincent Alexis, who joined his father in 2010, converted the vineyards to organic and is about to obtain the biodynamic certification. 

This charming and expressive white is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon, and Chenin that were grown 100% sulphur free on clay & calcareous soils. Together, they create a well-balanced wine – a surprising union between freshness, fullness and aromas. There is a lightly oxidative note and a bready, lees-y back palate that bounces off the fruit which is at once fresh and zesty and creamy and opulent. Easy, fun and just a little bit wild.

Enjoy it by the glass and with white meats or poultry.

Fresh & Balanced

Emblematically Niagara, this vibrant Chardonnay is made with organic, biodynamic and sustainably-farmed grapes from the Peninsula with a focus on three star vineyards, Quarry Road (Vinemount Ridge), Cherry Road (Twenty Mile Bench), and the Kocsis - Red Foot Vineyard (Lincoln Lakeshore).

The 2018 vintage in Niagara marks a full and warm growing season, with just the right amount of heat and rain. The crops came in showing low yields with great quality. A vigneron's dream! Expect straw gold in the glass with gorgeous orchard fruits, apple and peach on the nose with notes of marine, hazelnut, lemon custard, and blonde caramel essence. This elegant wine offers a lovely texture on the palate, rich and round with biscuits and cream, while boasting a lip-smacking acidity with an herbal tea tannin.

Bright, lively, and slightly viscous, ready to pair with cream sauces or white fish in beurre blanc.

Fresh & Zesty

The Vitas Winery has been in the family since 1937, for four generations. Despite its French origin, Pinot Grigio has been cultivated in Friuli since the 18th century, where it has found an ideal habitat to produce wines of exceptional quality.

This dry-farmed Friulian Pinot Grigio is different in style than its counterpart from Veneto. The wine wears a straw yellow robe with elegant copper-gold overtones. Its bouquet is elegant and intense, with hints of acacia flowers, dry hay, walnut kernel, yellow peach and golden apple, intertwined with fresh and mineral notes. On the palate, it promises a concentrated palate full of fragrant white peaches, tangerines, and a spritzy minerality.

A perfect casual sipper, or to complement antipasti, fried fish or vegetables and light pasta dishes.

This mixed case includes 6 bottles of 2018 Crew Sauvage Chardonnay and 6 bottles of 2019 Crew Sauvage Pinot Noir.

Emblematically Niagara, these two wines are made with organic, biodynamic and sustainably-farmed grapes from the Peninsula with a focus on three star vineyards, Quarry Road (Vinemount Ridge), Cherry Road (Twenty Mile Bench), and the Kocsis - Red Foot Vineyard (Lincoln Lakeshore).

The 2018 vintage in Niagara marks a full and warm growing season, with just the right amount of heat and rain. The crops came in showing low yields with great quality. A vigneron's dream!

These Crew Sauvage have a remarkable balance of concentration and weight, while remaining fresh and lifted in their youth.

Floral & Fresh

Stéphane Aviron can be considered a pioneer is his approach to winemaking in Beaujolais, however he would just tell you that he’s simply returning to the traditional practices that have always made fantastic Gamay wines. Sustainable viticulture, extremely old vines and classic Burgundian techniques.

The appellation of Côte de Brouilly sits on the high slopes of the extinct volcano Mont Brouilly and is surrounded by the larger appellation of Brouilly.  This wine has Finesse, elegance it shows loads of rich red and dark berry fruit, spice notes, and avery good concentration. It has a soft texture with a touch of spice.

We recommend to pair Aviron's Côtes de Brouilly with mushroom risotto, rabbit or cheese.