Cheap Wine Guy

This is not your usual poolside Verdejo. Same grape. Completely different personality 😎🇪🇸

De Alberto Dorado comes from Rueda, the Spanish region that Verdejo calls home. While the grape is now best known for fresh, citrusy whites, this bottle shows off Rueda’s old-school side!

Made from 100% Verdejo, it’s aged oxidatively in glass demijohns under the Spanish sun before finishing in an old American-oak solera ✔️

𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗲: toasted nuts, candied fruit, white flowers and warm spice.

𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: rich and rounded, but still very dry and fresh, with a long, slightly salty finish.

𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: Verdejo ditched the patio, went to Spain and came back with a tan and a whole new personality ☀️🍷

Denominación de Origen Rueda GLO Communications

French Pinot for 16 bucks? I’m listening 🇫🇷🍷

This is exactly the kind of Pinot Noir I want around when the weather’s still warm. Laroche makes this in the Pays d’Oc in southern France, where Pinot gets plenty of sunshine but still keeps that lighter, fresh style ✔️

𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗲: cherry, ripe red berries, a little floral note and subtle spice!

𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: light-to-medium body, soft tannins, juicy cherry fruit and good freshness. Smooth once it opens up, especially with a slight chill!

𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: Chill it slightly, open it early and let it do its thing 🎈

Head Buzz 3.5/5 – 16 bucks @ LCBO!

Laroche Pinot Noir
Made In: Pays d’Oc, France 🇫🇷
By: LAROCHE
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Style: Light-bodied & Fruity

LCBO

The French know how to make cheap wine look expensive 🇫🇷🍷!

This drinks way above its 19 dollar price tag. Smooth, rich and one of those bottles that makes you check the receipt again 👀

Fun fact: “Les Darons” basically means “the dads” in French slang. It’s a classic southern French blend built around Grenache, with Syrah and Carignan bringing a little extra muscle 💪🏽

On the nose: ripe blackberry, plum, cherry, pepper and a little spice.

On the palate: smooth and juicy with dark fruit, soft tannins, good freshness and just enough spice to keep things interesting.

Bottom line: Serious wine. Humble price tag. This one punches above its weight and earns a spot in the cart! ✔️

Head Buzz 4/5 – 19 bucks @ LCBO! 🙌🏼

Jeff Carrel Les Darons 2023
Made In: Languedoc, France
By: Jeff Carrel
Varietal: Grenache, Syrah & Carignan
VINTAGES: 448464

LCBO

Verdejo by the water just makes sense ☀️🌊

Native to Spain’s Rueda region, Verdejo is known for making fresh, aromatic whites with lively acidity and a signature slightly bitter finish.

Think citrus, green apple, white peach and a touch of fresh herbs. Crisp, dry and dangerously refreshing when served ice cold!

Basically, Spain’s answer to patio season!

Denominación de Origen Rueda GLO Communications

Red wine in the fridge. Trust me. 🧊🍷

This drinks way above its 17 dollar price tag and might be one of my favourite summer reds right now.

Merlot Polaire is actually made to be served chilled. Even better - the bear’s scarf on the label turns BLUE when the wine hits the right temperature. Very serious wine technology here 😅

On the nose: strawberry, red currant, cherry and loads of fresh red fruit.

On the palate: smooth, juicy and refreshing with soft tannins, bright fruit and a surprisingly looong finish.

Bottom line: Summer red with main character energy. Chill it, wait for the scarf to turn blue and pour. Easy buy.

Head Buzz 4/5 – 17 bucks @ LCBO!

Merlot Polaire
Made In: France 🇫🇷
By: Jules Lebègue
Sugar Content: 8 g/L
Style: Medium-bodied & Fruity
Varietal: 100% Merlot
LCBO: 48408

🌍🍷 Happy !

Today we’re celebrating one of Spain’s most important white wine grapes: Verdejo 🇪🇸

Grown primarily in the Rueda region, about 170 km northwest of Madrid, Verdejo is known for its vibrant citrus, fresh stone fruit, herbal notes, and crisp acidity. It’s the grape behind Spain’s best-selling white wine appellation and has been enjoyed for centuries, dating back to the time of the Castilian kings.

What makes Rueda special? It combines a rich winemaking history with modern innovation, featuring 79 wineries, over 1,500 growers, and an impressive number of female winemakers helping shape the region’s future.

If you’re looking for a refreshing white wine this summer, Rueda Verdejo deserves a spot in your glass 😎

Have you tried Verdejo before? Let me know your favourite bottle below! 👇🏼

Mount Etna does not miss! 🌋🍇

This drinks way above its 25 dollar price tag and might be one of the easiest “just trust me” reds at the LCBO. Volcanic soils give it that fresh, lifted style that makes you look like you planned this bottle… even if you didn’t.

𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞: bright cherry, crushed rock, a little smoke, and that “Italian herbs after rain” vibe.

𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞: light-to-medium body, red berries, soft tannins, and a clean, salty finish that makes you want another sip immediately.

𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: Think Pinot Noir with a Sicilian passport. Silky, fresh, and dangerously drinkable ✔️

Head Buzz 4.5/5 – 25 bucks @ LCBO!

Tornatore Etna Rosso
Made In: Sicily, Italy 🇮🇹
By:
Varietal: Nerello Mascalese & Nerello Cappuccio
VINTAGES: 487090

Built different 🇬🇪👊🏼🍷
 
Saperavi is one of the rare red grapes with red flesh, not just red skins, which gives it that deep colour and serious structure. From Georgia, it naturally makes dark, dry, food-friendly reds.
 
𝗡𝗼𝘀𝗲: black cherry, blackberry, dried herbs, and a touch of earth and spice!
 
𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: medium-plus body with dark fruit, firm but polished tannins, fresh acidity, and a dry, slightly savory finish!
 
𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: Serious wine, $15 price tag.
 
Head Buzz 4/5 – only 15 bucks @ LCBO!
 
Marani Saperavi Dry Red 2022
Made In: Kakheti, Georgia 🇬🇪
By:
Varietal: Saperavi
VINTAGES: 419382