“O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?”

“The LCBO!”

There’s a scene in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, where the Capulet servant invites Romeo to “crush a cup of wine.” Well, this week I’ve got a pair of crushable bottles for you from noted Italian mega-producer Farina—both for under $11!

While their labels are the essence of simplicity, their contents thankfully offer more intrigue.

Romeo & Juliet Cabernet Merlot 2026 — Veneto, Italy ($10.95) RATING: 87
I’m big on QPR—Quality-Price Ratio—and this rates well on the scale. Aged for four months in steel, it’s expectedly fruity—but not in a sappy sweet way. Look for dark red fruits (cherry, raspberry) and ripe blackberry on the nose, with an earthy herbal note to this savoury medium-bodied red. No complaints here. A nice match for BBQ chicken, burgers and other grilled meats. 6 g/L sugar. 13% alc.

Romeo & Juliet Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie — Veneto, Italy ($10.95) RATING: 86
Aged for six months in steel, this is what you’d expect from a standard Pinot Grigio—crisp, with slightly floral notes to complement its splash of citrus and green apple. A nice aperitif, poolside white or paired with seafood salad, chicken or fish. 7 g/L sugar. 12.5% alc.