Welcome to Last Week’s Column: The Sequel. If you missed the earlier instalment, here’s a recap: wines under $20. Today’s selections, however, skew more toward the mainstream – no roussannes or aglianicos, in other words.I remember when, in the 1980s, $10 was the great divide between the rich and the rest of us.That psychological price barrier persisted for a long time. But the quality pickings below $10 have grown slim. That’s especially true in British Columbia, where import prices give new meaning to “Rocky Mountain high.” (Note that one red listed here sells for $16.95 in Ontario and $21.99 in B.C.) On the bright side, we have learned a few tricks over the years to enhance the flavour of bargain bottles, however one might define “bargain.” Big glasses: A large bowl that tapers inward at the rim helps amplify aromas and focus nuances into the nasal cavity, where most of the “tasting” takes place.Decanting: Contact with oxygen softens harsher elements and brings out the fruit.

But you don’t need a decanter; just swirl in a (big) glass for a similar effect.Chilling your reds: This can make a huge difference. A quick detour in the fridge (say, 15 minutes) suppresses hot alcohol and astringency and lifts acidity. Much more than 15 minutes and most reds become muted.Warming your whites: We drink most whites too cold. Pull chardonnays and other fuller-bodied varietals from the fridge 20 minutes before pouring. Warmth brings out the complexity hiding below.Revelling in the deal: Keep reminding yourself that the qualitative difference between most $15 bottles and most $30 bottles is much less than a factor of two.Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2011 (South Africa)The Porcupine is a monster for value, as many Canadians have discovered. It’s made by a great South African estate with the tongue-twisting name of Boekenhoutskloof. On the label is an artist’s sketch of the crested porcupine, the local inhabitant presumably forced to live life without ever getting a hug. The 2011 syrah is terrific, packed with dark fruit, black pepper, bacon drippings and spice – like a northern-Rhône syrah with more fat on its bones.

Try it with stewed red meat. $17.99 in B.C., $13.99 in Alta., $17.30 in Que.De Martino Legado Reserva Carmenere 2010 (Chile)Ripe, with a raspberry core, this is well-crafted carmenere from a dependable producer, showing lots of herbal and earth tones and a smoky quality on the finish. Chunky and ideal for robust red-meat dishes.best wine journalSmall Gully Mr. Black’s Little Book Shiraz 2008 (Australia)A crowd-pleaser, to be sure. best way to buy wine in franceAnd at 15.2-per cent alcohol, one bottle might suffice for a crowd. where to buy wine chicago loopExpect a mouthful of cherry juice, raspberry jam, vanilla and chocolate from this rich red, which finds good acid grip – and a whiff of not-so-welcome alcoholic heat – toward the finish.where can i buy wine in quebec city

Fleur de Coucou Touraine Sauvignon 2011 (France)Touraine lies west of famed Sancerre in the Loire Valley and excels with the same white grape, sauvignon blanc, at typically half the price. This gem is more exuberantly fruity than most Sancerres, with silky lemon and melon flavours leading the charge, but it delivers a strong essence of that prized flinty character for which Sancerre is famous. best wine of new zealandTry it with light seafood or young cheeses, particularly chèvre.best red wine with health benefitsBellingham Chardonnay with a Splash of Viognier 2010 (South Africa)The name tells the tale. Chardonnay provides medium-full body and sweet apple, while viognier works its floral magic. A touch of spice and tangy acid give it lift.Tommasi Poggio al Tufo Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (Italy)Tommasi is based in Veneto in the north, but the family bought an estate in the trendy Maremma district of Tuscany, from which they make this fine red, in 1997.

There’s admirable tannic edge here in spite of the screwcap seal, which telegraphs early drinkability. I like the initial softness, which carries plum, spice and tobacco before the astringent tannins kick in. Try it with rare lamb, beef or duck. $21.99 in B.C.Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir 2011 (Chile)Vineyard workers get around by bicycle at Cono Sur, hence the name of this line of well-priced wines. The 2011 pinot is among the best – and one of the few drinkable – pinots you will find at this price. It’s light-medium-bodied and silky, with fresh cherry and plum jam flavours enhanced ever so subtly by baking spices. Pair it with pork, poultry or grilled salmon. $11.49 in B.C., $11.99 in Sask., $11.99 in Man., $12.99 in N.B., $12.99 in N.S., $13.99 in PEI.Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (Chile)Richly fruity and concentrated for the money, this Chilean red displays a smooth core of cassis, then works in spice and charred cedar, with lively grip and a slightly dusty texture through the finish.

Try it with rare beef or lamb. $12.99 in B.C., $11.24 in Sask., $12.99 in N.B., $12.99 in N.S., $13.99 in PEI.Tinhorn Creek Merlot 2010 (British Columbia)From a cold year but admirably ripe, this full-bodied red offers plum-like fruit, vanilla and satisfyingly savoury complexity in the form of cedar and tobacco against a firm acid backbone. Good for beef or lamb.Castillo de Monseran Garnacha 2011 (Spain)SCORE: 85 PRICE: $9.99 in B.C.On the sweet side, this soft, round red comes across with more of a gummy-bear, fruit-chew quality than in previous vintages, which I have liked. If you’re new to wine or simply like it sweet and cuddly, the price is right.Your Guide to the Best Values, Limited Time Offers & Bonus Air Miles selections at the LCBO There are seventeen new wines on the Top 50 list this month. This is not surprising since so much wine is sold in the last six weeks of every year that many new vintages always arrive about now. Some of the new vintages I tasted were better and some not so good, so wines join the list and others fall off.

Anyway I am delighted to have found so many new great values at the LCBO this month. Additionally three wines already on my Top 50 Best Values list are discounted and a some have Bonus Air Miles that apply, making these wines even more attractive and affordable for the next four weeks or so. The Top 20 under $20 are best buys among the 1600 or so wines in LCBO Wines and the VINTAGES Essentials Collection. This month I selected all from wines on Steve’s Top 50, a standing WineAlign list based on quality/price ratio. You can read below in detail how the Top 50 works, but it does fluctuate as new wines arrive and as discounts show up through Limited Time Offers (LTOs). The discount period runs until January 31st. Thanks to WineAlign’s inventory tracking, I can assure you that there were stocks available, when we published, of every wine that I highlight. Editors Note: You can find our complete critic reviews by clicking on any of the wine names, bottle images or links highlighted.

Paid subscribers to WineAlign see all critic reviews immediately. Non-paid users wait 60 days to see new reviews. Membership has its privileges; like first access to great value wines! Tini Sangiovese di Romagna 2013, Emilia Romagna, Italy ($7.75) New to Top 50 – This is excellent value for a very drinkable Italian red for pizza and meaty pasta dishes. It is soft and fruity with enough tannin and acidity for balance and good length. Chill a little and try with tomato pasta sauces. Not recommended for quaffing since the finish is quite austere. Beso de Vino Seleccion Red 2011 Carinena, Spain ($7.95 was $9.95) New to Top 50 – This ripe structured red has a nice lemony tone to the nose and palate to give it freshness. It is full-bodied with good length. Try with sweet juicy ribs. Citra Sangiovese Terre Di Chieti 2014 Abruzzo Italy ($7.95) New to Top 50 – This red is a little rustic with a savoury herbal nose. Try with mildly flavoured red meat dishes or a mild hard cheese like cheddar.

Spadafora Terrano Rosso 2014 Calabria Italy ($8.55) New to Top 50 – 2014 is another good vintage for this juicy, well balanced red from Calabria. It is easy drinking, vibrant and pure with not much complexity or depth, but it is very drinkable. Enjoy with pizza and meaty pasta sauces. Solaz Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Castilla León, Spain ($9.45 was $11.45) Top 50 January – 2014 is the best vintage yet of this juicy, vibrant, clean red with very good length. Chill lightly and enjoy with grilled meats. La Casona De Castano Old Vines Monastrell 2013, Yecla, SE Spain ($9.65) New to Top 50 – Mourvèdre is the French name for this grape that is grown widely in SE Spain. It is deep purple and very aromatic with a midweight palate and very good length. Try with spaghetti and meatballs in a tomato sauce. Santa Carolina Merlot Reserva 2014, Colchagua Valley, Chile ($10.95 was $12.95) New to Top 50 – This is a lively, clean, very fruity merlot with just enough soft tannin for balance.

Enjoy on its own or with hard mature cheese. Santa Carolina Carmenère Reserva 2014, Cachapoal Valley, Chile ($11.95 was $12.95) Top 50 January – This is a dense, powerful wine with a complex perfumed nose. Full bodied but still very juicy with dense ripe fruit and fine tannin. Boschendal The Pavillion Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Stellenbosch South Africa ($11.95) New to Top 50 – Excellent value for a juicy, full bodied red with spicy berry aromas and ample fruit. It is balanced by soft tannin and soft acidity. Good focus and very good length. Try with lamb kabobs. Ogier Cotes du Ventoux Red 2013 Rhone Valley, France ($11.95) New to Top 50 – 2013 is a good vintage for this soft, white pepper spiced, southern Rhone red. The fruit is well balanced with crisp, juicy acidity, blueberry and pepper notes and plenty of zip and zing. Vila Regia Reserva 2013, Douro Valley, Portugal ($11.95) New to Top 50 – Excellent value for a fragrant, elegant red. Opaque purple, a soft nose of berry fruit and a mid weight palate, this has very good length.

Try with roast beef or creamy soft cheese. Goats do Roam Red 2014 Western Cape, South Africa ($11.95 was $12.95) Top 50 January – The 2014 vintage continues a long line of consistently great value reds that are close stylistically to a French Côtes du Rhône. Errazuriz Estate Pinot Noir 2014, Aconcagua Valley, Chile ($13.95 + 8 BAMs) New to Top 50 – One of the best value pinots at the LCBO. It is quite Burgundian in style with ripe fruit aromas and flavours balanced by herbal and earthy tones. The palate has nice structural tannin and some vibrant acidity, keeping it lively. Cono Sur Sparkling Brut, Bio Bio, Chile ($7.95 was $13.95) New to Top 50, Delisted – I am sorry to see that this elegant bubbly has been discontinued. Over 800 bottles remain so jump in quickly before it is all gone. It is quite flavourful and very smooth with a honeyed hazelnut apple nose and very persistent bubbles. KWV Contemporary Collection Chenin Blanc 2015, Western Cape, South Africa ($7.95 was $9.45) New to Top 50 – South Africa can make good inexpensive chenin like this with a good depth of flavour, well structured, and for a great price.

The palate is midweight with ripe fruit balanced by lemony acidity. Very good length and just a little bitter on the finish. Try with seafood or white meats.Chardonnay 2012 Victoria Australia ($8.75 was $14.95) New to Top 50, Delisted – A soft, elegant, cool climate chardonnay with only a hint of oak. It’s midweight and finely balanced. Try with sautéed seafood. Over 1300 bottles remain. Hardys Stamp Series Riesling Gewurztraminer 2014, Southeastern Australia ($8.95 was $9.95) New to Top 50 – This white has been a constant at the LCBO for years and always offers great value.  It is mouthwatering with peach, spice and candied lemon aromas and flavours, a smooth texture and very good length. Brumont Gros Manseng Sauvignon 2014, Cote De Gascogne, SW France ($10.75 was $12.95) New to Top 50, Delisted – Gros manseng is a white grape native to southwest France. Here it is blended with sauvignon blanc to make a creamy white wine with herbal melon aromas and flavours.

Try with roast chicken. Santa Carolina Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2015, Leyda Valley, San Antonio, Chile ($11.95) New to Top 50 – Leyda Valley is now recognized as one of the best places for this variety in Chile. This is a complex, ripe sauvignon with beautiful aromas and a rich creamy palate. Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay 2014, Coastal Region, South Africa ($14.80) New to Top 50 – A rich, full bodied, creamy chardonnay with the oak well integrated and adding complexity. It is full bodied and creamy smooth with lots of flavour balanced by ample acidity. Try with rich poultry dishes or creamy veal escallops. How does a wine get selected for the Top 20 under $20. There are three ways that a wine gets into this monthly report of wines that are always in the stores either on the LCBO “General List” or the VINTAGES Essential Collection. – On Sale (LTO’s or Limited Time Offers): Every four weeks the LCBO discounts around 200 wines I have looked through the current batch and have highlighted some of my favourites that offer better value at present…. so stock up now.

– Bonus Air Miles (BAM’s): If you collect Air Miles then you will be getting Bonus Air Miles on another 150 or so wines…a few of these have a special appeal for a while. – Steve’s Top 50: Wines that have moved onto my Top50 Best Values this month. This is on an-on going WineAlign selection that mathematically calculates value by comparing the price and rating of all the wines on the LCBO General List. You can access the report any time and read more about it now. The Rest of Steve’s Top 50 In addition to the wines mentioned above, there are another 3o wines on the Top 50 list this month. So if you did not find all you need in this report, dip into the Top 50 LCBO and VINTAGES Essentials wines. There will surely be something inexpensive that suits your taste. To be included in the Top 50 for value a wine must be inexpensive while also having a high score, indicating high quality. I use a mathematical model to make the Top 50 selections from the wines in our database.