Best Value Wines Under $25

“The Farm” is a 10-acre vineyard in Niagara’s Twenty Mile Bench, planted to Pinot Noir. The property is rooted in traditions of gathering family & friends, and where Peter and Dora Neudorf call home.

This mixed case includes 6 bottles of their Chardonnay 2018 and 6 bottles of their Black Label Pinot Noir 2018.

The Farm Chardonnay VQA Niagara Peninsula 2018. This wild fermented Chardonnay goes through full malolactic, and is aged in French oak barrels and puncheons, using a combination of second fill and neutral casks. This wine is vibrant with a chalky minerality – the wild ferment delivers layered notes of pear, lemon, honey and stone fruits. The finish is focused and complex. These are serious wines blended from terroirs across the Niagara Peninsula. Pair this creamy Chardonnay with any chicken dish, baked, grilled, or fried. It would also pair beautifully with seafood.

The Farm Black Label Pinot Noir VQA Niagara Peninsula 2018. “The Farm” is a 10-acre vineyard in Niagara’s Twenty Mile Bench, planted to Pinot Noir. The property is rooted in traditions of gathering family & friends, and where Peter and Dora Neudorf call home. Although the 2018 growing season was slower to start, it offered warm temperatures in July and August. This latter part of the season is reflected in the wine through bold notes of spice, dark plum, black cherry and great concentration. Approximately 20% new oak was used – providing good structure and medium tannins. These are serious wines blended from terroirs across the Niagara Peninsula. Enjoy this Pinot with grilled salmon or other fatty fish. It would also be ideal with duck and other game birds.

Spicy & Smooth

“The Farm” is a 10-acre vineyard in Niagara’s Twenty Mile Bench, planted to Pinot Noir. The property is rooted in traditions of gathering family & friends, and where Peter and Dora Neudorf call home.

Although the 2018 growing season was slower to start, it offered warm temperatures in July and August. This latter part of the season is reflected in the wine through bold notes of spice, dark plum, black cherry and great concentration. Approximately 20% new oak was used – providing good structure and medium tannins. These are serious wines blended from terroirs across the Niagara Peninsula. 

Enjoy this Pinot with grilled salmon or other fatty fish. It would also be ideal with duck and other game birds.

Fresh & Delicate

Mas Carlot is situated in the south of the Rhône Valley, extending across 76 hectares of pebbly land southeast of Nîmes.

This seductive rosé is a traditional blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (40%) and Mourvèdre (10%). Beautifully pale in colour and soft in texture, this is probably the most fashionable vintage to date. Delicate aromas of raspberry, watermelon, citrus fruits & herbes de Provence flow from the glass. The flavours are fruity, dry and crisp with an elegant balance & structure. This is a serious rose at an accessible price.

Mas Carlot Rosé is the perfect rosé to pair with any summer time meal, including tapas and barbecue. It is also a great wine to enjoy with cheese boards or just on it's own at any time!

Bright & Creamy

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!

Light & Earthy

The vineyards of Fattoria di Sammontana are located along the hills that border the Arno River, 20km to the south west of Florence. Today, the family - now in its fourth generation - runs the farm according to organic and biodynamic practices, with the intent to fully preserve and sustain the traditions and winemaking history of the land.

This wine is a nod to the old tradition that made Trebbiano a compulsory component of any Chianti blend. Almost entirely Sangiovese with just a touch of Trebbiano, Alberese is such a delicious, simple and easy drinking wine that it could go with just about anything. 

We particularly love opening a bottle of Alberese when cooking pizza or when having an aperitivo before dinner: a beautiful choice with cured meats, cheeses and olives. Any rich pasta dish made with bacon and tons of pecorino would also be a delicious option!

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.

Rich & Fruity

Cantine Paradiso is located is the South of Italy, in the region of Puglia. Angelo Paradiso, the third generation of winemakers in the family, manages the vineyards and the winery.

This wine is made from Primitivo, a native grape to Puglia. It has an intense purple colour in the glass. On the nose, it delivers pronounced notes of ripe dark fruit, hints of spices and some floral notes. The palate is juicy with soft tannins and a really nice acidity. It is a very easy-drinking and enjoyable Primitivo.

This wine pairs perfectly with tomato-based dishes: pasta bolognese, veal parmigiana, pizza... But would also be a great pairing with curries and spicy barbecue dishes too!

Mineral & Creamy

“The Farm” is a 10-acre vineyard in Niagara’s Twenty Mile Bench, planted to Pinot Noir. The property is rooted in traditions of gathering family & friends, and where Peter and Dora Neudorf call home.

This wild fermented Chardonnay goes through full malolactic, and is aged in French oak barrels and puncheons, using a combination of second fill and neutral casks. This wine is vibrant with a chalky minerality – the wild ferment delivers layered notes of pear, lemon, honey and stone fruits. The finish is focused and complex. These are serious wines blended from terroirs across the Niagara Peninsula. 

Pair this creamy Chardonnay with any chicken dish, baked, grilled, or fried. It would also pair beautifully with seafood.

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 & Mourvedre 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.

Fresh & Zesty

The Vitas Winery has been in the family since 1935, for four generations. The Pinot Grigio has French origins, but it has been cultivated in Friuli since the second half of the 18th century where it has found an ideal habitat.

The nose is floral and fruity: it has hints of acacia flowers, dry hay, walnuts and peaches. The palate is flavourful and very mineral.

Pair this wine with antipasti, fried fish or vegetables and light pasta dishes.

Bright & Creamy

Our favourite bubbly wine with a special twist this year: we have added some Sauvignon Blanc to our classic Vidal cuvée, made in partnership with Lighthall Vineyards in Prince Edward County. This is a small batch cuvée, made through the Charmat method.

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 of the Sauvignon Blanc.

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

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 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, all at the right times. A vignerons dream, but a bankers nightmare as crops came in showing low yields with great quality.

These Crew Sauvage 2018s have a remarkable balance of concentration and weight, while remaining fresh and lifted in their youth.

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.

Rich & Spicy

The origin of Château Lamartine goes back to 1883, when Lise and Benjamin’s great grand father acquired a piece of land and started to farm grapes and sell wine in barrels. The Cahors AOP is right in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean sea. We could say that it’s the heart of the South West. Due to its geographic situation, the appellation has a particular microclimate, which is perfect for Malbec. This is a rich wine with powerful tannins.  It has ripe dark blue and black fruit notes with a touch of vanilla.  While the tannins are full the wine has a great acid backbone to maintain the structure.  

This is a top value, structured and succulent red that is ready to sip alongside some salty, fatty protein.

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.

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.

Spicy & Smooth

“The Farm” is a 10-acre vineyard in Niagara’s Twenty Mile Bench, planted to Pinot Noir. The property is rooted in traditions of gathering family & friends, and where Peter and Dora Neudorf call home.

Although the 2018 growing season was slower to start, it offered warm temperatures in July and August. This latter part of the season is reflected in the wine through bold notes of spice, dark plum, black cherry and great concentration. Approximately 20% new oak was used – providing good structure and medium tannins. These are serious wines blended from terroirs across the Niagara Peninsula. 

Enjoy this Pinot with grilled salmon or other fatty fish. It would also be ideal with duck and other game birds.

Fresh & Crisp

Located on the hills that rise 250 meters above sea level from the Adriatic Sea just above the seaside resort town of Vasto in Abruzzo, the Jasci family has been growing grapes and producing wine for three generations.

This Pecorino is an elegant and delicate white with hints of mature yellow fruits. On the palate is pleasant with good body, saltiness and freshness with final notes of white-pulp fruit and 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 & 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 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, all at the right times. A vignerons dream, but a bankers nightmare as crops came in showing low yields with great quality.

These Crew Sauvage 2018s have a remarkable balance of concentration and weight, while remaining fresh and lifted in their youth.

Textured & Mineral

Mure is a family owned winery that dates back to the mid 1600's. Located near the magical terroir of Rouffach, the family is a reference for the quality of biodynamic wines.

Muré's Sylvaner is a lovely wine.  On the nose, it delivers delicate aromas and flavours of quince, green apple and mineral. On the palate, it finishes long and clean with a soft refined perfume. 

Lovely as an aperitif; a must with shellfish and asparagus dishes!

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.