Cheap Wine Guy

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

Grown-up Malbec! 🍷🍷🍷
 
More refined than your typical BIG Argentine red - but still delivers! 🙌🏼
 
𝗡𝗼𝘀𝗲: dark plum, blackberry, cocoa, and a touch of vanilla and spice.
 
𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: smooth and structured with ripe black fruit, fine tannins, a hint of oak, and a long, balanced finish. Medium-plus body without being heavy.
 
𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: A step-up Malbec that’s BOLD, polished, and very easy to enjoy 😉
 
Head Buzz 4.1/5 – 22 bucks @ LCBO! ✔️
 
Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2021
Made In: Mendoza, Argentina 🇦🇷
By:
Varietal: Malbec
VINTAGES: 50849

Bold ink. Bold sip.
 
This bottle goes straight into the “trust me” category. Bold fruit, smooth texture, and way more personality than you expect at this price 🙌🏼
 
𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞: dark berries, a little cocoa, some spice, and that warm “French countryside” feel 🥰
 
𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞: smooth and juicy, with blackberry, plum, soft tannins, and a little grip that keeps it interesting. Medium-bodied and very weekday-friendly!
 
𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: Bold, smooth, and way too easy to finish. You’ve been warned.
 
Head Buzz 4/5 – 19 bucks @ LCBO! ✔️
 
Maison Fontan Tattoo T&M Rouge
Made In: Gers, France 🇫🇷
By:
Varietal: Tannat - Merlot
VINTAGES: 43894

🇨🇦 BC 🤝🏼 Ontario 🇨🇦

Faced with crop loss at their BC estate, Tantalus turned challenge into creativity. For their 2024 vintage - one of the most difficult in their 20-year history - they reached across the country, sourcing Riesling from top growers in Ontario’s Grimsby Hillside and Picone vineyards 🙌🏼

The result? A cool-climate collab that still feels true to their style!

𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞: pale straw, lemon oil, white peach, wildflowers, chalk, and a touch of ginger!

𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞: clementine and grapefruit up front, with candied lime peel and crunchy pear in the mid, finishing dry, stony, and crisp!

Head Buzz: 4/5 - 28 bucks, purchased @ Tantalus Winery 👌🏽

Tantalus 2024 Riesling
Made In: Okanagan Valley + Niagara Peninsula 🇨🇦
By:
Varietal: 100% Riesling

Incredible Canadian PN! 🇨🇦

Nestled on the slopes of Okanagan Lake, Quails’ Gate has been one of the pillars of BC wine! Their estate vineyards take advantage of lake‑moderated temperatures and diverse soils, giving their wines that sense of place. Swipe for the views >>
 
𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞: red cherry, wild strawberry, a whisper of forest floor and clove spice
 
𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞: silky tannins, juicy red fruit, subtle earthiness, and enough freshness to keep you reaching for one more sip
 
𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: It’s giving ‘I read wine magazines but also drink in sweatpants’ energy 😅
 
Head Buzz 4.5/5 - 35 bucks, purchased @ Quails Gate Winery
 
Quails’ Gate Pinot Noir 2023
Made In: Okanagan Valley, Canada 🇨🇦
By:
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

🇦🇷 Argentina 🤝🏼 Italy 🇮🇹
 
Made in Argentina with Italian style! This one blends Malbec with dried Corvina grapes using the appassimento method - the result? More richness, more depth, more bang for your buck! 🍇🙌🏼
 
Tastes like: Dark cherry, plum, a touch of raisin and spice. Smooth and full without being heavy
 
Bottom line: Big flavour, and under $20? Easy yes.
 
Head Buzz 3.8/5 – 16 bucks @ LCBO! ✔️
 
Masi Tupungato Passo Doble Organic 2020
Made In: Argentina 🇦🇷
By:
Sugar Content: 2 g/L
Varietal: Malbec, Corvina
LCBO: 620880