Hello and welcome back.
You will notice that there are a lot fewer value wines on sale this month than in December but many are on deep discount. There are also a lot of new value wine picks this month that are excellent deals even at the regular price. Have a look and find some new favourites.
This month’s sale lasts until January 27 but you will also see a few wines listed that are on sale only until January 21. They are part of the special 4 day Flash Sale that I let you know about a few days ago.
There are twenty-five great value wines available this month, including twelve new Wine Picks and four 90+ point wines. As always, new wine picks are placed at the top of each flavour profile category, previous picks now on sale are next and the Rarer Bird category is listed below that.
Wine Bargains - Let's Get Started
The wine bargains below are independently reviewed by me and most are widely available from B.C. government stores.
For January, the wines chosen are in these styles:
Ripe Fruit Forward Reds (10 wines, 4 new, ) | Savoury Fruit Reds (3 wines, 2 new, ) | Lighter Fruit Reds (1 wine, 1 new | Medium Bodied Smooth Whites (2 wines, 1 new) | Bigger, Oak Influenced Whites (2 wines, 1 new) | Crisp Dry Whites (3 wines, 1 new) | Aromatic Whites (1 wine, 1 new) | Rosé (3 wines, 1 new)
TOP 5 VALUE-FOR-PLEASURE WINE PICKS FOR JANUARY
Medium Bodied, Smooth Whites Style (little/no oak, easy drinking, various grapes)
#5. SECRET CELLAR PINOT GRIGIO 2022 - SOUTH AFRICA
$12.99 reduced to 9.99 until January 27 - 750 ml.
Here’s another quite drinkable, under $10.00 wine. Crisp green pinot grigio flavours, a little grassy with a touch of melon. A good patio wine and at this price, more than fair. Tasted ✓ 87 Points
Find Store Nearest You SKU: 161632
Ripe Fruit Forward Reds Style (think ripe cherries)
#4 DONA PAULA ESTATE MALBEC 14.5% - UCO VALLEY MENDOZA, ARGENTINA $19.99 reduced to 14.99 until January 27 - 750 ml.
A mid-weight malbec with just under medium intensity and body with nicely balanced red and black fruits and a touch of tar. A good acidity keeps the flavours fresh. Fair value at the regular price, great value at this sale price. Tasted ✓ 88 Points
Find Store Nearest You SKU: 631291
#3 SANTA RITA 120 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 13.0% - VALLE CENTRALE, CHILE
$12.99 reduced to 9.99 until January 27 - 750 ml.
A well balanced medium bodied, straight forward decent red wine with clean flavours, moderate alcohol, good fruit and very soft tannins. Nothing here for a dry, red wine drinker to complain about. At a price under $10.00, that is high praise. You would do well to put a few away. Tasted ✓ 88 Points
Find Store Nearest You SKU: 218644
#2 DOÑA PAULA LOS CARDOS MALBEC 2022 - ARGENTINA $12.99 reduced to 8.99 until January 27 - 750 ml.
An under $10.00 malbec? Worthwhile? Happy to say that this is quite pleasant and drinkable with no off-flavours, lingering medicinal tangs or impassable tannins. So what separates it from other Argentinian malbecs at twice the price? As you might expect it’s a little simpler, a little plainer, and has less distinct malbec character than the higher priced models but the main difference here is chiefly that it has less intensity and it is definitely lighter bodied. Other than that it is well balanced with pleasing fruit components and satisfying - what the English would call “cheap and cheerful”. The price here is unbeatable. Worth loading up on this one. Tasted ✓ 87 Points
Find Store Nearest You SKU 633628
#1 ROSEMOUNT ESTATE SHIRAZ 2021 - AUSTRALIA
$14.99 reduced to $10.99 until Jan 27 - 1 L
Straight forward medium bodied shiraz with soft tannins, slightly low acidity and good shiraz fruit character. Not a wine to ponder, just an easy drinking one to enjoy. Amazing value here - works out to about $8.00 per regular bottle. Tasted ✓ 87 Points Find Store Nearest You SKU 201234
Pro Wine Tip
Just below, I brought back an older Pro Tip posting from 2022 containing a fun article on how to chill a wine quickly and what happens if you get it wrong. Click to view and please enjoy.
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