Buyers Guide to Vintages August 1st Release

Aligning on Affordable Summer Values, Led by Sicily and Sardinia

By David Lawrason, with notes from Michael Godel, John Szabo, Sara d’Amato and Megha Jandhyala

Welcome back from the most laid-back of our summer holiday weekends, and one of the most laid-back Vintages releases of the year, which is not uncommon in August. It is a smaller release: 92 wines, with 37 under $20. So don’t expect an onslaught of high-scoring, memorable and classic wines. But do expect some nuanced scores and reviews befitting cheaper wines, with a handful of keeners that rise above. Yes, there can be good value wines that don’t reach 90 points.

This release features “Sicily and Sardinia,” two prominent Italian-governed — if governed is the word when it comes to Italy — islands in the Mediterranean. There are other Mediterranean islands and coastal regions in Italy, Spain, France and Greece that offer very similar climatic and topographic conditions, and a range of interesting indigenous grape varieties that are foreign to us but should not be. I think the Mediterranean basin is one of the most intriguing, exotic and value regions in the world today.

I don’t want to minimize the very serious wildfire situation in Europe, but these Mediterranean regions have existed with extreme heat for decades. The grape varieties have been nurtured and the winemaking adapted. Historically they were considered low-brow, somnolent, southern regions. But no longer. I am highly engaged by Mediterranean whites with opulent ripe, almost tropical fruit, yet core energy, warmth and minerality. The same with reds with bushels of red and black fruit made in an open-knit, warm, generous style that is not as hot and heavy as expected.

Sicily, in particular, has a reputation of being the California of Europe. They are similar in latitude and climate, though Sicily has a different and more interesting geological terroir with its own set of thriving grape varieties, which California may want to emulate. It is one the most important value-driven and exotic wine regions, at prices that afford adventure.

I have been to Sicily twice, once in the west near the capital of Palermo and the regions of Trapani and Marsala with their maritime, low altitude, almost tropical ambiance. The second journey was to the dramatic east coast: to Siracusa, Taormina and the north slope of Mt. Etna, which was spectacularly erupting as we posted. There are so many other parts of the island’s hilly interior that I would love to explore, with vineyards everywhere. And I would also love, one day, to explore the rugged isle of Sardinia, which for now I can only do through its wines.

Before getting to our reviews, a note that our own Michael Godel and John Szabo are world class experts on Sicily, both attending the annual Sicily En Primeur tasting. Most recently, last October, John authored a look at the top Sicilian wines of 2025. And, with input from Michael, the WineAlign database of Sicilian reviews must be one of the most comprehensive anywhere.

So here are our picks this time out. For the first time in months we had our full complement of five critics on hand, bringing you a larger than usual selection of recommended buys, most based on value. And there are more “alignments,” too, on the best wines and sharpest values, with a very rare “five aligner” on what may be the best rosé buy of the season. They are presented in ascending price order within their categories.

Buyer’s Guide Vintages August 1: Sparkling

Benjamin Bridge Méthode Classique Brut Rosé Sparkling, Nova Scotia, Canada
$32.95, Lifford Wine & Spirits (Select Wine Merchants)
John Szabo – Crispy, crunchy, vibrant and fresh bubbles in the Maritime style from Benjamin Bridge. I like the minty-limey flavours and the well-integrated effervescence. Good fun, good bubbles, ready to go.
Michael Godel – Less than Brut in sweetness, and right there with ship-shaping acidity. The texture benefits from an underlying earthiness. Few wines deliver this combination of grounding and excitement.
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There are 20 other Vintages recommendations this week that are only available to our premium members. This complete article will be free and visible to all members 60 days after publication. We invite you to subscribe today to unlock our top picks and other Premium benefits

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And that’s a wrap for this edition. We return for the August 15 release, which features a weird LCBO theme of “best wines for take-out” — and a much more interesting look at Austrian wine. – David

Use these quick links for access to all of our August 1st Top Picks in the New Release. Non-premium members can select from all release dates 60 days prior.

John’s Top Picks – August 1st
Lawrason’s Take – August 1st
Megha’s Picks – August 1st
Michael’s Mix – August 1st
Sara’s Selections – August 1st

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