Anthony Gismondi: Here are the best wine picks for less than $30

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Other single wine varietals:  This category is huge, and the sources are wide-ranging, offering flavour and affordability, a rare combination in the wine business. Look for Garzón Albariño Reserva 2025, Uruguay, $24.99; Blue Mountain Estate Cuvée Pinot Blanc 2025, Okanagan Valley, $24.99; and El Petit Bonhomme Blanco 2023, Verdejo, Rueda, $18.

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Sparkling wine: Finding sparkling wine under $30 is no easy task, but with more tank-fermented Prosecco and Prosecco-like labels in the market, it is getting easier. Current favourites include Villa Sandi Prosecco Rosé Il Fresco Millesimato 2024, Veneto, Italy $27, or Monte Creek Living Land Series Organic Sparkling Rosé 2025, Thompson Valley, $25.

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Good hunting.

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Weekend wine picks

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Terravista Vineyards Marsanne 2025, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley

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$33 | 91/100

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UPC: 721688128847

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Terravista’s inaugural stand-alone Marsanne speaks to the growing diversity of B.C. grapes as growers explore more opportunities to go beyond the norm. The nose is laden with fresh peach, baked pears, and citrus oil. It is fresher and juicier than the French model, but that only makes it more fun to sip. The mouth feel is broad and generous, and then the mineral, stony Naramata undercurrent shows up to brighten the finish. It is a great debut; you should embrace it as soon as you can because these bottles will disappear fast.

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Roche Artist Series Pinot Noir Rosé 2025, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley

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$29 | 90/100

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UPC: 724901649075

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The Artist Series Rosé has become one of Bench’s most reliable pink wines. Its Pinot Noir fruit delivers delicate notes of raspberry, wild strawberry, and rose petals, leading to a fresh, finely textured palate with bright acidity and subtle mineral undertones that linger through the finish. Elegant rather than overpowering, it reflects the balanced, more restrained character of Naramata fruit. Pair it with poached salmon or spot prawns for an excellent match.

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Quails’ Gate Field and Flight Pinot Noir 2024, Oregon

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$22.99 | 88/100

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UPC: 778856024203

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Field and Flight is a unique series of wines produced by Kelowna-based Quails’ Gate, using fruit sourced to compensate for local shortages. It is the second year for the Oregon batch, featuring an earthy, savoury undertone, smooth textures, and moderately ripe fruit. Soft, straightforward, and easy to enjoy, this is everything you could want in a $22 Pinot Noir.

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Folgorosa Tinta 2021, Lisboa, Portugal

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$24.99 | 88/100

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UPC: 5600382889726

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Folgorosa Tinto blends Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, and Syrah, opening with an expressive nose of wild berries, red currants, and floral and eucalyptus notes. The quinta was founded in 1711 north of Lisbon, and the vineyard lies about 20 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean, which explains its freshness, juicy red-fruit character, bright acidity, and a reasonably supple style. A red for burgers or flank steak. Private wine shops only.

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Tantalus Blanc de Noir 2023, Okanagan Valley

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$36.50 | 92/100

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UPC: 626990189909

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The Blanc de Noir is an attractive, almost Rosé-like pale salmon colour. It is fresh and loaded with red-fruit flavours that offset the minerality and leesy notes, shouting complexity and depth. It is a terrific sparkler that joins a handful of B.C. Blanc de Noirs that turn heads whenever the cork is popped. The fruit comes from a single-estate block of clone 93 Pinot Noir that is now over 40 years old. If you are celebrating anything, this would be a great bottle to choose.

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B.C. wine of the week

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Hillside Heritage Series Muscat Ottonel 2025, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley