deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

We have done the Tour de France before, now it is time to cycle our way through neighbouring Italy with fine red wines from the Veneto, Tuscany, Pietmonte and Veneto regions in our first Top Drops of the year – Tour of Italy.

Please join us as we taste Brunello’s (made with the Chianti grape, Sangiovese), Super Tuscans (Sangiovese and/or old world grape blends), Piedmonte’s Barolo and Barbaresco’s (with its purple colored Nebbiolo grape) and Veneto’s Amarone (with the indigenous dried grapes of Veneto) in this small scale exclusive tasting of just 18 of you. We’ll go through the various laws and regulations of each region, an overview of great vintages that you should be collecting, some great producers of each region and then sample the high end wines with a food pairing.

Not had high end Italians and want to discover what it is all about? – then this is the tasting for you. As usual, we’ll offer a surprise with age on it to see how these various reds age.Do book early to avoid disappointment as there are only 7 spots remaining.

Look out for upcoming Tops Drops this year – a series of German Rieslings from various regions (led by Ed & Annabelle who visited the region extensively in August of last year), 2008 Right Bank Bordeaux, Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon Vertical, World Class French Whites and a Dominus of Napa Valley Vertical. Be sure to join us for one, some or all of these top-drawer events through 2012.

You can book for the Tour of Italy Top Drops online here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

Introducing Rock & Roll Ruby Tuesdays at deVine’s – every third Tuesday of the month from 2-6pm drop into the store to sample a full-bodied red wine that we are showcasing, and if you like the wine, you get 10% off when you purchase said wine. It’s time to Rock ‘N Roll.

Our first Rock & Roll Ruby Tuesday night is this coming Tuesday, January 17 and will feature the 2007 Falernia Reserva Carmenère (Elqui Valley, Chile) – $19.99.

Carmenère is the Jurassic Park grape, having almost become extinct until the settlers brought it from Bordeaux to Chile, where the grape has flourished. The Falernia oozes blackberry, black currant and vegetables on the nose. The palate is fruit forward with lots of plum, dark cherry and blackberries. Full-bodied, with plenty of warmth and a long easy to enjoy finish. A fine red for the winter. Pair with grilled red meats. You can purchase it online here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

Happy New Year to one and all and may 2012 bring you good health, good luck, love and prosperity. Its hard to believe another year has passed. No New Years resolutions, I am never able to keep them, so instead, a few random thoughts about what we’re looking forward to in the upcoming year.

1) arriving this year are some great wines from all over the globe vintage 2009 – including California Pinot Noirs, yet another ‘Vintage of the Century’ 2009 Bordeaux, Alsace, Northern Rhone, Burgundy, South Africa and Washington. As well, the fabulous 2010 German Rieslings, 2008 California Cabernets, the great 2006 Barolo and Brunello’s. There’s an endless amount of great wines to look forward to in 2012

2) perhaps we’ll see a few Mexican Reds, Swiss Reds, the arrival of Brazilian wines, and hopefully more from Uruguay

3) I want to be surprised and find a wine for $120 that taste like a $100 wine

4) I’m dreaming but if Edmonton ever goes the way of Montreal and embraces BYO at restaurants, it would be a miracle

5) a few more new restaurants in the downtown core to expand on the already very fine selection

6) someone progressive and dynamic enough to work with the AGLC to enable a wine storage service for Edmontonians?

7) a deVine store renovation..to fix the water damage from November, and perhaps a little bit more..

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Author: Dirk Chan

With Christmas past, we now look forward to New Years Eve and 2012.

All of us at deVine’s wish you and yours the very best for the New Year. May it bring you happiness, good health and prosperity.

With this in mind, here are some bubbles recommendations to bring help bring in the New Year:

Sparkling Wines: – these offer great value because they don’t come from Champagne

1) NV Canella Prosecco di Conegliano (200mL) – $6.99 – small, single serving format Prosecco.

2) NV Reversanti Prosecco – $16.49 – a deVine bestseller over the last month or so, tasted and well received at the Best Bang for the Buck.

3) NV 2009 Val d’Oca Punto Rosa Millesimato Rosé – $22.99 – superb Rosé from Veneto, robust enough to server with appetizers.

4) NV Langlois-Chateau Cremant de Loire Brut – $26.99 – dry, creamy and fruity from a standout Loire Valley producer. Superb for the money.

5) 2008 Raventos i Blanc L’Hereu Cava Brut – $27.99 – hand-picked grapes, a great Cava from Spain – earthy and perfumey.

Non-Vintage Champagne: – Growers who used to supply to the big boys are now marketing their own

1) MV Chartogne-Taillet Sainte-Anne Brut – 375mL – $31.99 – half bottle size of excellent valued Growers’ Champagne.

2) NV Serveaux Fils Carte d’Or Brut – $49.99 – well-priced quality Champagne with a touch of earth and biscuits.

3) NV Gremillet Brut Rosé Saignee – $56.99 – bright rudy red in color, made from 100% Pinot Noir, a food pairing Rosé.

4) NV Champagne Mailly Brut Reserve – $64.99 – Superlative NV, a top drawer producer doing great things. Impressive.

5) NV Laurent-Perrier Grande Siecle Brut – $139.99 – Top drawer NV blend from three vintage years, the only Champagne to do so. Packaged in the bottle circa 14th century, from the time of Louis XIV.

Vintage Dated Champagne – when only the very best will do!

1) 2002 Chartogne-Taillet Brut – $59.99 – racy style with peaches & green apples.

2) 2002 Godmé Pere et Fils Brut Grand Cru – $72.99 – lovely bottlling from the great 2002 vintage, joyous and exuberant.

3) 2002 D de Devaux La Cuvee – $102.99 – Mangos and citrus notes abound, best with appetizers. Can age for a bit also.

4) 1999 Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill Brut – $209.99 – A legend of a Champagne, the favourite of the former British Prime Minister. Superb all around, balance, fresh bread and citrus and apples. Top drawer from Pol Roger.

5) 1998 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Brut – $254.99 – The top cuvee from the inventor of the Riddling table, this Grande Dame is in its peak drinking window, complexity from bottle aging and very classy indeed. Stunning packaging.

6) 2002 Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon Andy Warhol Edition – $254.99 – Special Andy Warhol pastel colors inspire this special release of the great 2002. Splendid now, a legend in a decade. Highly collectible.

7) 2002 Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé – $639.99 – Incomparable, and ultra-rare, this Cristal Rosé is about as good as it gets for a rosé. Very limited availbility.

Off the Beaten Path: – some sweet and sparkling reds..

1) NV Domaine de la Minotiere Organic Cider Brut – $10.99 – Lovely, not too sweet, from the Calvados area and made from Normandy apples. Great for sunday brunch also.

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Author: Dirk Chan

A Merry Christmas to everyone, and as Christmas fast approaches, here are a few quick recommendations for Christmas dinner:

Bubbles:

1) NV Reversanti Prosecco – $16.49 – a deVine bestseller over the last month or so, tasted and well received at the Best Bang for the Buck.

2) NV Rolet Cremant du Jura Brut Rose – $24.99 – dry, with slight earthiness, big enough to pair with appetizers

3) 2002 Chartogne-Taillet Brut Millesime – $59.99 – from the great 2002 vintage, well priced indeed for a vintage dated Champagne.

Whites:

1) 2009 Chai du Grand Vaudasniere Vouvray – $21.99 – an amazing Chenin Blanc that is slightly off-dry but would be amazing with the turkey and the fixings.

2) 2010 Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese – $56.99 – from the most sought after producer in all of Germany, this is stunning Riesling.

3) 2008 Ridge Monte Bello Chardonnay – $74.99 – Ridge is a legendary producer and this is his top cuvee.

Reds:

1) 2009 Domaine les Cotes de la Roche Julienas – $20.99 – great Gamay from the 2009 Beaujolais vintage, best in 20 years. Fruity and tannin free to pair with the sweet sides.

2) 2009 Jadot Ch. des Jacques Moulin-a-Vent – $30.99 – stellar Beaujolais and a Wine Spectator Top 100 Wine from 2010.

3) 2008 Domaine Serene Yamhill Pinot Noir – $52.99 – classic Oregon Pinot with luscious fruit and certified organic.

4) 2007 Goulart Grand Vin – $57.99 – for those who insists on something big, here is an archtypical quality Malbec from Argentina.

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Author: Ed Fong

Save the date! The businesses on 104th-St. are coming together on Tuesday, December 20 to say a collective “THANK YOU!” for your support throughout the year.

Please come visit us and enjoy the many special offers and activities provided by the street merchants and restaurants for your holiday festive season pleasure. Follow the link below for additional details or by contacting the individual businesses.

deVine will be having a sale from 4pm till 10pm on Tuesday, December 20th (in-person shopping or online shopping from 4-10pm). We will be offering a 10% discount on all regularly priced in-stock wines and spirits (excluding beer, wines stored in our vintage keeper & vintage room, cases of the month) – no rainchecks/backorders and no other discounts apply. Here is your chance to save and get all of your wine and spirits needs done for Christmas and New Years.

In addition, there will be a free wine sampling while you shop as well as an in-store draw for a gift basket of wine. Don’t miss yet another huge 104th Street Promenade event.

Below are what our neighbours are doing to say ‘Thank You’ for your patronage:

29 Armstrong (all day sale), Main Floor, 10129-104th-St.
29armstrong.com or phone 780.758-4940
· 20% discount off stocked items, all orders and sale prices

Blue Plate Diner (4 PM to 10 PM), 10145-104th-St.
blueplatediner.ca or phone 780.429.0740
· 25% off all food (discount is not applicable to beverage alcohol)

Blunt Salon (all day sale), Icon II Tower, 10142-104th-St.
bluntsaloninc.com or phone 780.498.1899
· Discount on all haircuts and styling
· Discount on all salon products

Bubble Buzz (all day sale), 10140-104th-St.
bubblebuzz.ca or phone 780.761.2899
· Purchase one drink and receive a 50% discount on your second drink
· Come down and enjoy relaxing board games while you savor our drink creations

Carbon Environmental Boutique (all day sale), 10184-104th-St.
carbonboutique.com or phone 780.498.1900
· A full day sale event
· In-store draw for a $50 gift certificate

Coup (garment boutique) (all day sale), #101, 10137-104th-St.
coupboutique.com or phone 780.756.3032
· 30% discount on all clothing
· In-store draw for three (3) private shopping nights

Credo Coffee (all day chance to win a draw prize), Icon Tower I, 10134-104th-St.
credocoffee.ca or phone 780.935-5546
· Draw for “The Ultimate Credo Gift Basket” with a total value of $100 consisting of…
- $30 gift card
- bag of espresso
- bag of single origin coffee
- ceramic travel mug
- espresso cup and saucer

Eye Care Group (all day sale from 9 AM to 9 PM), 10360-Jasper Ave.
eyecaregroup.ca or phone 780.437.2020
· Champagne reception from 4 PM to 9 PM
· All eyewear orders 25% off (frame & Rx lenses)
· Annual supply Focus Dailies $425 with rebate (reg. $600)
· Pre-book an eye exam & receive $50 Eye Care Group gift card

Queen of Tarts (all day complementary treats), 10129-104th-St.
Phone 780.421-4410
· Please stop by and enjoy complementary mulled cider and cookies

Tzin Wine & Tapas (4 PM to 6 PM), 10115-104th-St.
tzin.ca or phone 780.428.8946
· Book a reservation between 4-6 PM and we will take 15% of your total check

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Author: Dirk Chan

Since 1988, the popular American wine publication Wine Spectator has unveiled their Top 100 list of the most exciting wines of the past twelve months. These 100 wines reflect significant trends, recognize outstanding producers and spotlight successful regions and vintages around the world.

Upon reviewing 16,000 per year, it has become very trendy to acquire wines that made the grade. For 2011, twelve countries are represented (unfortunately, no Canadian wines were cited again) with an average price per bottle this year being $44. For the second year in a row, the list is American dominated.

The availability this year was the most scarce of any year since our store’s opening (with the #1 Wine Kosta Browne Pinot Noir once again long sold out at the cellar door) and though we managed to secure enough wines to do our popular Wine Spectator tasting, there are only a handful for sale this year so grab these while they last. See the available wines here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

Join us and other 4th Street Promenade businesses for Mercury Opera’s 104 Underground – an operascape scheduled for Friday, November 25th.

Starting with a Downtown 104th Street promenade where you visit four sites for drinks and appetizers, followed by the underground operatic performance on the Bay/Enterprise Square LRT Station platform (Jasper Avenue at 104th Street stop) – the performance begins when the 8:15pm train pulls into the station.

Tickets can be purchased in person (CASH ONLY please) at the following pod stops on the 104th Street Promenade – deVine Wines & Spirits, Eyecare Group, Coup garment boutique and 29 Armstrong. Tickets will be exchanged for wrist bands.

$2.85 from each sale will be donated to the ETS Donate a Ride program. All patrons are encouraged to use the transit system to get to the event.

Additional information at the Mercury Opera website here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

deVine, Rick Snider of Philippe Dandurand Wines and Sabor Divino are proud to present a dinner with Winemaker Domingo Soares Franco and Export Director Miguel Azevedo Remedio of Jose Maria da Fonseca this coming Tuesday, November 22 at 6pm at Sabor Divino.

Enjoy a five course dinner with five matching wines and a Vintage port for dessert. Only 20 seats available on a first come first served basis.

The Menu:

Reception: Twin Vines Vinho verde
First course: Periquita Branco paired with Bacalhau Divino
Second course: Fonseca Sousa Mayor paired with Sardines in Romesco sauce
Third course: Periquita Reserva paired with Queijo da Serre stuffed Beef Tenderloin with pink peppercorn and vanilla jus
Fourth course: Domini Plus paired with Wild boar chop and Feijoada
Fifth course: Vintage Port 2003 paired with chocolate, almonds and stilton cheese

Booking is only available at the Sabor Divino website here.. or by phone at 780-757-1114
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Author: Dirk Chan

The first session of eighty people for the annual Best Bang for the Buck tasting was sold out more than a month in advance of the event. The response has been so good that we are offering a second session of this ever popular December event for Thursday, December 15th at 7pm. The lineup for both stand-up tastings will be identical.

The theme is wines that cost $20 or less that represent superb value. We all want great quality for price ratio wines and this is the event to stock up on and buy by the case. With the additional 10% tasting discount, it becomes a supreme bargain both for your own consumption and as gifts.

Already over 40 seats has been sold for this second tasting so please book now to avoid disappointment. You can register here..

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