A Good Deal of May

New Spotlight on Crafted in B.C. Wines

May 27, 2025

∙ Paid

The Month of May

Hello and welcome back.

There are more new great wine bargains for you to explore this month including wines representing two styles not previously featured here - frizzante and white port. This month also begins a spotlight on a new category of wines called “Crafted in B.C.” .

Note that U.S. products are still off B.C. government liquor store shelves.

The discounts on sale wines this month in BC Liquor stores continue to be smaller than in some previous months. So, as part of bringing you only the best wine bargains available, except for very low priced wines, those with discounts of only a dollar or two are not included. Also, as wine prices keep creeping up, I feel some previous selections no longer belong in the “bargain” category.

Still you will still find 43 best bargain wines in the newsletter this month including 6 new great value wines.

Just a reminder that the wines are organized alphabetically by country now instead of by wine style, with new wine picks placed first in each country. All the other information for the wine listing is still present, i.e. wine style, score, review, price change if any and a clickable link to see which BCL stores carry the wine.

2024 Crafted in B.C. Wines

"Crafted in B.C." wines are a temporary category created to help support the B.C. wine industry whose vineyards suffered from a disastrous cold snap that hit Okanagan and Similkameen vineyards in January 2024. This weather event severely damaged most of the planted vines. This meant that for most wineries, there would be very little wine to sell from 2024.

The government has relaxed the regulations saying VQA wines could only be made using B.C grapes. So for a temporary period B.C. VQA wineries are allowed to bring in grapes or juice from outside the province as long as the vinification occurs in B.C.. This has enabled many wineries to keep the doors open. To help with this, I will be making an effort to taste and include reviews of “Crafted in B.C.” wines as they appear on B.C. Liquor Store shelves.

Here are a couple of the first "Crafted in B.C." wines.

POPLAR GROVE - CASCADIA PINOT GRIS 2024 - CANADA

~~$23.49~~ Reduced to $21.49 until May 31 - 750 ml.

Sourced from grapes in Washington state, this is a blend of 92% pinot gris, 3% viognier, 2% sauvignon Blanc, 1.5% chardonnay and 1.5% muscat.
On the nose, pear, very ripe grapefruit, honeydew melon, hints of mango or passionfruit. Great, slightly spicy, pinot gris character in abundance here. The tropical flavours take lead on the palate along with honey and lots of pear. Fleet and balanced, with a slightly soft acidity that emphasizes the lush rounded fruit notes. There's a complementary light, grassy back current in the long finish. Tasted ✓ 89+ Points Medium Bodied, Smooth Whites (Little or No Oak)

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 300365

BARTIER BROS - PRISTINE ROSE 2024 - CANADA

$19.99 - 750 ml.

Grown in the Columbia Valley AVA and vinified in in Oliver, B.C. The grapes were night harvested and pressed immediately to ferment in stainless steel tanks. A straightforward easy and crisp rosé for the patio or the beach. The aromas and rounded flavours are of watermelon, rose hip and cranberry tea here with a touch of grapefruit on the finish. The flavours are clear and the acidity bright. The grapes involved are a blend of red and white - 94% cabernet sauvignon, 3% pinot noir, 2% chardonnay and 1% riesling. Simple, slightly off dry, light, easy, well balanced. Don't overthink it, just enjoy. Very well priced. Tasted ✓ 88 Points Rosé (dry/off dry)

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 243475