deVine Thoughts

December 8, 2025

deVine Days 2025

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 5:37 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

deVine Days, our annual Customer Appreciation Weekend is set for Friday, Dec 12th through Sunday, Dec 14th. Our annual “Thank You!” for your ongoing support and patronage will once again be giving a 10% discount* on all in-store items (yes, including wine, beer, spirits and vintage keeper and vintage room products). No rain-checks and does not apply to products already discounted (cases of the month, bin-ends, tastings and weekly online offer).

There will be several items that will be on offer IN-STORE shopping only that feature a 20-40% discount on a first come first serve basis. We will be having free agent drop-in pours on Saturday and Sunday – enjoy wine samples while you shop.

For your shopping convenience, you can also shop online during that weekend as our entire inventory is available via our website that is available to you 24 hours a day. Enjoy shopping in the comforts of your own home. Note you won’t see the 10% discount when you order online in the system generated confirmation but rather it will be applied by us in the backend and you will see it on our second email confirmation when your order has been processed.

You can also visit us in the store during our extended store hours (till 8pm) on both Friday and Saturday and regular hours on Sunday.

In addition to the sale, do take advantage of our free delivery within Edmonton city limits option with a minimum $75 purchase – we deliver monday through fridays in the afternoons.

This is our biggest sale of the year to give everybody some much needed cheer! Shop early for best selection. Don’t miss out, its a great opportunity to do all your Xmas and New Year needs.

At this time of year, please remember those in need. Please bring a package for the Edmonton Food Bank or drop some money into the cash box by our till if you’re coming into to the store. For those taking advantage of our free delivery within Edmonton city limits, you can hand over a care package to our driver. Thank you in advance.

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Weekly Offer for Dec 8/25

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 3:33 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the Journey’s End Chenin Blanc-Viognier (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $15.49, regularly $18.99.

The Journey’s End Vineyards was purchased In 1996 by the Gabb family, originally from Shropshire, UK, who fell in love with this picturesque wine farm, restoring it to what it is today, now surrounded by 40 hectares of beautiful vineyards.

Nestled in the Schapenberg hills, beneath which lay 350 million year old decomposed granite soils. This creates one of the most prestigious terroirs in South Africa, and is where ther vines are planted. As well as fantastic views, our vineyards benefit from the cooling and cleansing south-easterly wind, known locally as the ‘Cape Doctor’, which comes in from nearby False Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Our feature wine this week is their Chenin Blanc-Viognier – pale yellow straw colour with a light green tint, this unique blend of two varieties unites perfectly in the glass with fresh apricots, white peach and lovely floral notes. The palette entry is creamy with citrus, lime, passion fruit and banana. There is fresh crisp acidity, pineapple, soft mouthfeel on the grapefruit finish. The grapes are grown and sourced from the Breederiver wine region which were identified as excellent growingareas for Chenin Blanc and Viognier. This has been a consistent seller at deVine’s for the last two years.

Journey’s End Chenin Blanc-Viognier (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $15.49, regularly $18.99.

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December 1, 2025

deVine Staff WOTY Picks – 2025

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 1:05 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our annual deVine Staff Picks for Wines of the Year is in for 2025. Many of you identify closely with one of us when it comes to recommendations and preferences. Diversity is a good thing as we all have different palates and tastes so without further ado, here are our picks for your consideration (and entertainment)…

Pictured left to right:

Mark’s Pick – 2023 Paltrinieri Lambrusco di Sorbara Piria (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) – $25.99


Kandice’s Pick – 2023 Cantina Girlan Marna Chardonnay (Alto Adige, Italy) – $34.99


Brad’s Pick – 2024 Veiga da Princesa Albarino (Rias Baixas, Spain) – $29.99


Dirk’s Pick – 2020 Camille Cayran Cairanne Grande Reserve (Rhone Valley, France)- $31.49


Annabelle’s Pick – 2022 Cesar Marquez Perez El Rapolao Mencia (Bierzo, Spain) – $74.99


Llyr’s Pick – 2022 Domaine de la Begude Cadet (Bandol, France) – $35.99


We hope you’ll pick up a few to sample to see if you agree. Or combine our picks with the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year for a new get-together concept.

Prost!!

Weekly Offer for Dec 1/25

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:46 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the Parras Wines Castelo do Sulco Reserva Selecao dos Enologos (Lisboa, Portugal) – $17.49, regularly $22.99.

Parras Wines is a large company with holdings in Alentejo, Dao, Tejo, Douro, Vinho Verde and Lisboa. Over 20 brands of wines encompass their portfolio. Parras Vinhos was founded in 2010 by Luís Vieira whose beginnings was in bulk wine.

Our feature wine this week is their Castelo do Sulco Enologos Reserva, Enologos meaning Winemakrer’s Reserve, based out of the Lisbon region with 120 hectares under vine. The main objective of the large team has been to maintain the typical characteristics and quality of the ancient wines, showcasing their unique terroir. Castelo do Sulco Seleção dos Enólogos Reserva is a blend of Alicante Bouschet, Syrah, Aragonez and Touriga Nacional, offering up a delightfully indulgent burst of ripe red berries, flirting with a touch of excess – you can almost smell the spice warming up in a cellar. Despite a brief encounter with French oak, it retains a wonderfully full body experience with plenty of ripe fruit. It pairs beautifully with grilled beef – a match made in wine heaven.

Parras Wines Castelo do Sulco Reserva Selecao dos Enologos (Lisboa, Portugal) – $17.49, regularly $22.99.

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November 28, 2025

New Riedel Arrivals

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 6:06 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Some new items for Christmas from the most famous wine glass company in the world, Riedel. Based in Austria, and with an illustrious history going back to the time of Mozart’s birthyear, 1756 – they produce varietally specific stemware that enhance the specific grapes you’re tasting. For the oenophile, proper stemware and decanters are a must for full enjoyment of fine wine. With each passing year, their portfolio gets bigger and bigger.

New to deVines are (pictured left to right):

1) Riedel Veritas Champagne Glass – $47.49

2) Riedel Veritas New World Pinot Noir/Nebbiolo/Rose Champagne Glass – $47.49

3) Riedel Veloce Decanter – $69.99

We have a large collection of Riedel products, check out the following:

4) Riedel Water Carafe – $59.99

5) Riedel Performance Magnum Decanter – $99.99

6) Riedel Vinum Bordeaux Glass – $44.99

7) Riedel Vinum Single Malt Scotch Glass – $44.99

8) Riedel Vinum Riesling/Chianti Glass – $44.99

9) Riedel Daiginjo Glass – $39.99

10) Riedel O Old World Syrah – $19.99

11) Riedel O Cabernet/Merlot Glass – $19.99

12) Riedel White Microfibre Polishing Cloth – $12.49

Prost!

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November 24, 2025

Weekly Offer for Nov 24/25

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:41 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the Cantine Torri Bakan Montepulciano Riserva DOC (Abruzzo, Italy) – $16.99, regularly $21.49.

Founded in 1966, Cantine Torri sits atop the radiant vine-covered hills spanning over 60 hectares in the municipalities of Colonnella, Controguerra and Torano, in the province of Teramo, 100 to 300 meters above sea level. The vineyards enjoys favorable climatic conditions and the generous soil, together with the patience and scrupulous work in the vineyard and in the cellar, have made it possible to obtain wines of great value and typicity.

Our weekly special is their Bakán Montepulciano DOC Riserva, made from 55 year old vines with a south-south-east exposure. Certified organic, the color is an impenetrable ruby red with a nose of ripe blackberries, sour cherries, and mulberries. On the palate, black cherry, cherry, berries all make an appearance.

Vinified in steel vats, after malolactic fermentation, it sits in cement vats for six months before maturing in used barrels for a further year before bottling and resting for at least another six months before release.

Served slightly chilled, pair this with salami, pappardelle with meat sauce or stuffed beef rolls.

Cantine Torri Bakan Montepulciano Riserva DOC (Abruzzo, Italy) – $16.99, regularly $21.49.

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November 20, 2025

Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2025

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 2:16 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

The popular American wine publication Wine Spectator reviews over 12,000 wines every year, and in mid November, they issue their Top 100 Wines of the Year amids much fanfare and hoopla. This has been an ongoing tradition since 1988.

The retailers follow closely and will bring in as many of the Top 100 as available. It gets harder every year to get a lot of wines, either because its not in Alberta, or it is the wrong vintage. We have 4 wines to offer this year so grab them while quantities lasts. More to come once we verify vintage correctness.

Check out the available 2025 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines..

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November 17, 2025

Weekly Offer for Nov 17/25

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 2:58 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the Andeluna Raices Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) – $15.99, regularly $21.49.

Andeluna is a family-owned winery located in the rocky region of Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza in the foothills of the Andes mountains of Argentina. The name derives from ‘Ande’ from the famous mountain range, and ‘Luna’ meaning moon in Spanish.

At 700m altitude which requires a lot of work for the team in order to produce high quality wines, which they have been doing for two decades.

Our weekly special this week is their Raices Malbec – Raices mean ‘roots’ paying hommage to their legacy. This is an unoaked Malbec where you can taste the grape without oak influence. Bright red in color with purple hues. Florals, fresh and fruity aromas make for an alluring nose while the plums and blueberries on the palate from the estate fruit leads to a soft and fresh tannin finish. A lively and elegant red to pair with some grilled pork.

Andeluna Raices Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) – $15.99, regularly $21.49

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November 10, 2025

Weekly Offer for Nov 10/25

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 1:37 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the Monte Antico Rosso IGT (Tuscany, Italy) – $17.99, regularly $21.49.

Monte Antico, which means “ancient mountain”, is Neil and Maria Empson’s tribute to Tuscany. Their forty years of passion and experience led them to create their own label along with their good friend Franco Bernabei, a master in Italian winemaking. Together, they have made quite a name for themselves since 1977.

Our weekly special this week is their Monte Antico Rosso, a modern Tuscan blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon offers refined floral, candied berry, cedar and ginger aromas with enough structure for short-term cellaring or pairing with food tonight. Great with spaghetti and meatballs, or with grilled lamb with mushroom risotto.

The grapes for this wine were grown in the areas of Maremma, Colline Pisane, and Colli Fiorentini. Soil types vary, but span from compact, very fine-textured limestone at 1,300-1,500 feet above sea level to a classic, clay and calcareous, rocky galestro around 1,300 feet above sea level, and go on to a clay, siliceous and calcareous soil at 820-990 feet above sea level. The grapes are harvested at their peak ripeness. This balanced combination of geological diversity makes for the wine’s consistent excellence. It is an easy everyday drinker, smooth and generous and drinking nicely.

Monte Antico Rosso IGT (Tuscany, Italy) – $17.99, regularly $21.49

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November 8, 2025

Mamete Prevostini Valtellina Nebbiolo’s

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 3:17 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Valtellina is a valley in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, bordering Switzerland. Today it is known for its skiing, hot spring spas, bresaola, cheeses and its red wine made from the Nebbiolo grape. The noble red grape of Piedmont is famous in Barolo and Barbaresco, but a different take exists along the sun-drenched, South-facing slopes of the Alps, where the landscape boasts 2,500 kilometers of dry stone-walled terraces of grapevines. Recognized by UNESCO, this area is home to Mamete Prevostini’s prized vineyards, the largest terraced vineyard in Northern Italy. The unique climate, with modest rainfall, hot summers and significant temperature variations, shapes their distinctive alpine Nebbiolo. Cultivating vines in the challenging terrains of the Alps has been and is a labour of love, driven by a deep connection to the land and age-old rituals practiced over centuries.

Nebbiolo is a fickle creature; it s difficult to grow successfully (like Pinot Noir) and even harder to manage in the cellar. ike much of Italy, Valtellina has been a wine-producing area for over 2,000 years. Indeed, wine was made here by the Ancient Ligurians and Etruscans even before the Romans arrived.

Prevostini’s four vineyard plots are spread across the Valtellina mountains, each telling a unique story. With varying elevations, orientations and ages, each contribute to the exceptional quality and character of the wines. Ranging from 300 to 700 meters above sea level, these vineyards produce grapes with remarkable body, delicacy and fantastic aging potential. An art that Mamete Prevostini, has arguably perfected over time!

Valtellina wines are hard to come by in our neck of the woods, so please explore this producer – the wines are distinctive with forest floor, a certain smokiness/spiciness with a reverberation of minerality on the finish. A great food wine including osso bucco.

Pictured left to right:

2017 Mamete Prevostini Valtellina Superiore Riserva (Lombardy, Italy) – $84.99

2019 Mamete Prevostini Sommarovina Sassella Valtellina Superiore (Lombardy, Italy) – $76.99

2023 Mamete Prevostini Botonero Nebbiolo (Lombardy, Italy) – $33.99

Prost everyone!

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