WineOnline Sommelier, Samuel Fritz-Tate’s top picks of affordable wines from Spain 

Stay home, save money, sip wine.

With COVID-19 wine sales are up and wine lovers and aficionados are looking to shake up their summer with some of the world’s most wonderful wines that won’t hurt the wallet or make them leave the house.

WineOnline is Canada’s premier online wine store, housing over 300 wines from over 170 wineries around the world. They are the go-to agents for curating wine lists, personalized for every taste.

If you didn’t know that you can easily order wines not available at the LCBO directly from online agents, you’re in luck: WineOnline sources wines from around the world that don’t make it into the LCBO due to wine production size, or because there’s not enough shelf space.

WineOnline launched free virtual wine tasting events, on Zoom in May 2020, to offer Canadian’s some fun, social distancing entertainment. The first in the series featured WineOnline’s own sommelier, Samuel Fritz-Tate alongside Niagara’s Leaning Post Winery Winemaker, Ilya Senchuk, whose wines have been described as “lucid and graceful”.

Wine lovers can buy cases of 12 bottles, sometimes six, starting at $11.95 per bottle. New wines are brought up from the cellar every week, keeping the list fresh and exciting.

“We are excited to be launching our online programming”, says Jonny Bick, Co-Founder of WineOnline. “We wanted to partner with a local winery to create an at home experience for wine lovers so they can learn and explore the world or wine”.

It’s more than an online wine store. WineOnline has collaborated with Canada’s top restaurants to host some of Ontario’s finest wine events, helping clients find the perfect wine for any occasion. Between hosting at Chateau Rayas vertical dinner with Chef Patrick Kriss at Alo’s new space, or helping Rob Gentile at Buca pour six decades of vinous treasures with Scarpa’s Barolos, WineOnline continues to bring the best of the wine world to oenophiles all over Ontario.

Fritz-Tate, a Sommelier himself, travels much of the year scouring the world for great values and outstanding selections, making him an expert on the best regions for quality wine.

Samuel Fritz-Tate curated list of Spanish ‘high value but affordable’ wines:

1. El Castro de Valtuille Joven is the best deal in the red portfolio that mimics its $50 competition at $17.95 per bottle and is made by Raúl Pérez, a winemaking legend and the highest scoring producer in the Bierzo region, making this perfumed and vibrant red anything but “entry level”.

2. Hacienda Lopez de Haro Rioja Blanco is the best-valued white on the site, year in and out at $15.95. Ancient vines and a touch of oak give depth to this wine, making it a low-budget wine to pair with every dinner.

3. Legado del Moncayo Garnacha is the perfect choice for wine lovers with expensive taste that don’t want the same price tag at $14.99 per bottle. This full-bodied, tangy, red wine is crafted by winemaker Isaac Fernandez, famous for producing some of the most expensive wines in the Ribera del Duero region. Fortunately for us, he decided to craft exquisite and affordable wines too.

4. El Picaro Toro is a new Tempranillo with a big and bold flavour made with vines over 50 years of age but still sells for $19.95 per bottle and is perfect for the Napa Cabernet lover with under $100 to spend. Who knew ancient vines could be so affordable?