Whether or not you're part of the 70% of Canadians who believe this country is in recession, it seems that a rumour I heard last year is true.

The LCBO sells plenty of seriously cheap wines - heck, take a look at some of the Limited Time Offers currently available: plenty under $10 - but there's been tension around the point where the "general list" wines meet the Vintages wines. This point is the $12-14 zone, and the General List people apparently see it as their turf.

The rumour was that the already upscale Vintages section of the LCBO is heading further up the price ladder and that there would soon be no wines under $15. Looking over the first release of 2012, It does seem that $14.95 is now the entry level price. On the plus side, there are actually quite a few wines at $14.95 (or $15). And I even managed to find a $13.95 wine worth trying.

Cavine Nemea Reserve 2006
From the poster child of bad economies, this Greek wine is good value - and five years old to boot. Darker nose with lots of ripe red fruit as well as notes of tobacco, licorice, dates and figs. On the palate there's more dark berry fruit, good tannin/acidity balance and more notes of tobacco. Decent finish too. 245787 | $14.95

Cave Cidis Morges 2010
From the poster child of successful economies, this Swiss wine is a little pricey, but represents great value when you think of the high costs of both Switzerland and its Franc. Made from the chasellas grape, this white has a fresh fruity nose with lime and citrus notes too. On the palate it's lighter bodied, very dry and has a pleasing saline/mineral note over fresh and tangy white fruit. Made me think a little of gruner veltliner. 123414 | $18.95

Hinterbrook Reisling 2010
This gold medal winner at the All Canadian Wine Championships has a rich and interesting nose with peach plus lots of tropical fruit, including mango. On the palate the fruit carries through and there's a nice mineral note. Even though there's a bit of sweetness, the overall feel is dry. Rich finish. 270512 | $17.95

Ghost Pines Winemaker's Blend Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Quality big Cali cabs tend to be very expensive, so this actually represents good value. There are also several other grapes blended in too, including syrah, merlot and petit verdot. Look for a big dark nose of black cherry with some dark chocolate too. On the palate it's very smooth and very Cali - big, fruity and even a bit sweet. That's the very ripe fruit, but there's also darker notes of chocolate, a bit of a wood note. Good finish. 135376 | $19.95

Urban Uco Malbec/Tempranillo 2010
This Argentinean has a fresh nose of ripe cherries, vanilla and a woody note. Smooth on the palate, which is dry, full of ripe red berry fruit and has good tannic structure. Not a big bomb though: it's medium bodied and there's a good finish as well. Great for a mid-week steak. 166397 | $13.95

Montes Limited Selection Pinot Noir 2009
I'm beginning to think that maybe Chile's the place to look for a decent pinot under 20. This agreable example has a lovely nose of fresh cherry fruit, some herbal notes and a bit of tobacco. Smooth and medium bodied on the palate, there's plenty of ripe shiny cherry fruit and even some spice notes. Lovely fresh finish too on this New World style pinot. 37937 | $14.95

Domaine du Chardonnay Chablis 2009
This isn't particularly cheap but it's just lovely! Delicate nose with hints of floral and nougat. Super dry and fresh on the palate, which has mineral notes, lemon fruit and a smooth and elegant feel. Here's a great chard with no (or virtually no) oak. 183574 | $19.95

Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay 2010
For a different and bigger take on pure chardonnay, this New Zealander delivers citrus and peach on the nose. On the palate it's dry and surprisingly full bodied. Good fruit, good acidity and a nice white flower hint. 991950 | $17.95

Chateau La Croix du Queynac 2009
Good value Bordeaux Superieur here with lots of ripe dark berry fruit on the nose as well as a vanilla hint. On the palate it's beautifully smooth with good tannins and moderate acidity. A solid wine. 138636 | $14.95

Chateau Lagrange 2008
If you can edge up to $20, here's a terrific St. Emilion. Complex and meaty nose with hints of leather already appearing. Also ripe cherry fruit and tobacco. On the palate it's very dry, but with plenty of cherry and raspberry fruit. Good tannin/acidity balance. This would be a candidate for further aging. 23039 | $19.95

Mas Des Huppes 2009
This grenache-syrah-mourvedre blend from St. Chinian has a terrific rich dark nose of ripe cherry and blackberry as well as tobacco and spice notes. Then there's a nice fresh surprise on the palate, which has good acidity to balance the super ripe fruit. Lovely finish. 267930 | $16.95

Rivera Cappellaccio Riserva Aglianico 2005
This already-aged wine from Puglia, Italy represents great value for an older wine. Rich, dark and complex nose of leather and mushroom over ripe cherry fruit. On the palate it's super smooth with elevated tannins and acidity, and great flavour integration. It's already very good, but has the potential to age longer and develop more delicate and nuanced flavours. 984120 | $18.95

Domaine du Grand Montmirail Vacqueyras 2009
Not cheap but so very good! This southern Rhone Valley grenache/syrah blend has a rich nose of cherry and spice. On the palate it's ripe, full and dark, with terrific blackberry, black cherry, plum, tobacco and some woody notes. Yum. 251579 | $24.95