deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the Cecchi Chianti Riserva DOCG (Tuscany – Chianti, Italy) – $21.49, regularly $25.99.

The love story of Luigi and Anita Cecchi began in Poggibonsi, Tuscany in the 1950s, when Luigi saw Anita whizz past on her motor scooter. Intrigued by such an adventurous woman, he pursued and married her. Together, they poured their hearts and souls into the Cecchi Winery in Tuscany.

The story of Cecchi actually dates back to 1893, when Luigi’s grandfather – also Luigi – took his experience from working at some of the most famous agricultural companies in Tuscany and set out on his own as a wine merchant.

Over the years, their house reputation is built around their Chianti Classico’s of elegance and finesse. Nowadays, their two sons, Cesare and Andrea are now at the company’s helm, as the commercial director and the production and technical director, respectively. Inheriting the same enthusiasm and entrepreneurial know-how of their forefathers, they are focused on sustainability and their wine’s ability to express its territory of origin.

Cecchi (pronunced Check-ee) wines are a pure expression of their Tuscan terroir and crafted to be enjoyed around the family dinner table and our weekly special, their Chianti Riserva certainly fits the bill with Glowing deep garnet in the glass with glints of copper, the nose on this Chianti Riserva starts with dark cherry fruit, subtle gun flint and sage followed on the palate by a woodsy spice note and fine acid structure all leading to a smooth and balanced finish – this is a versatile wine to serve at the dinner table.

Cecchi Chianti Riserva DOCG (Tuscany – Chianti, Italy) – $21.49, regularly $25.99.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Torres Celeste Crianza (Ribera del Duero, Spain) – $22.49 regularly $27.49.

Founded in 1870 by Jaime Torres, Bodegas Torres (Miguel Torres SA) is a historical wine growing company located in Pacs, some 4 km (2.5 miles) from Vilafranca del Penedès, where the company has its head office. Torres is the family winery with the most extensive vineyards in the Denomination of Origin (DO) of Penedès and the largest winery in Spain. They also run the Miguel Torres Chile winery in the Chilean Central Valley, and in the United States (California) where in 1986 Marimar Torres founded Marimar Estate. Torres is also Spain’s largest producer of DO wines under its own label, exporting to more than 140 countries.

Our feature this week is their Celeste Crianza, born 895 meters above sea level, where the vines and the sky form a magical connection, resulting in a wine filled with the freshness, emotion, and intensity of a starry night. Hence, the name and astrological label. Located in the Ribera del Duero D.O. wine region in north central Spain, the area stretches about 115km along “the banks of the river Duero” touching the provinces of Soria, Burgos, Segovia and Valladolid.

Celeste is an opulent yet structured wine brimming with fruit, body and colour: as unique as the night sky in the Ribera del Duero. Nice mix of red and black berries and cherries on the nose. A hint of moss, sweet spices and dark earth on the palate. Decant for a half hour and paired with some grilled meats.

Miguel Torres Celeste Crianza (Ribera del Duero, Spain) – $22.49, regularly $27.49.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Quinta de Soalheiro is located in Melgaco, the northermost part Portgual’s Vinho Verde wine region. Established in 1974 by Joao Antonio Cerdeira, it is now on the third generation of winemakers, making wines using the Alvarinho grape. The house is also famous for producting the first sparking Alvarinho in 1995.

It’s been 7 years since we got any wines from Soalheiro, during which time we’ve had to go to Lisbon to enjoy a glass or two. So, we’re very happy for its return of these award winning whites (produced from 14 hectares of organically farmed vineyard) to the Alberta market. again, this time with its 2023 vintage. As usual, extremely limited availability and will be sold out in a jiff.

Pictured from left to right:

2023 Quinta de Soalheiro Alvarinho (Melgaco, Portugal) – $29.99
2023 Quinta de Soalheiro Granit Alvarinho (Vinho Verde, Portugal) – $34.99
2023 Quinta de Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas Alvarinho (Vinho Verde, Portugal) – $41.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Agricola San Felice is steeped in local lore and history. Named after a local early Christian Saint from the 18th century, the property was bought by the Grisaldi Del Taja family – the founding members of the Chianti Classico consortium. The family produced wine for several centuries until 1968 when the estate passed to Enzo Morganti, where he restructured and transformed this venerable estate, concentrating on high quality winemaking, systematic scientific research and thoughtful vineyard purchases, which included the Campogiovanni vineyard in Montalcino in 1984. Today the property includes a 1,853 acre resort, 445 acres of vineyards and a 44 acre parcel dedicated to experimental viticulture and genetic improvement of Sangiovese. The winery makes regular appearances in the Wine Spectator’s Top 100.

The San Felice vineyards are situated amongst the gently rolling hills of the Castelnuovo Berardenga area of Chianti Classico. The winery’s annual production is around one million bottles (1,025,000 of Chianti, 80,000 of Brunello, 40,000 of Rosso di Montalcino and 55,000 of Bolgheri), divided into 16 labels, made entirely from estate-owned grapes.

Our feature this week is their Chianti Classico, a delightfully aromatic (violets) Sangiovese based wine which includes some Pugnitello – an ancient Tuscan grape that was nearly extinct when San Felice began working with it in the late 1980s. This Chianti Classico is smooth, expressive, pure and characterful, with black cherry, raspberry, blackcurrant, earth, tobacco, and a precise minerality. Harmonious, dry and long with fine structure and fresh acidity – it’s ideal choice with charcuterie, roast turkey or grilled beef.

San Felice Chianti Classico (Tuscany – Chianti, Italy) – $20.99, regularly $25.99.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the The Ned Marisco Vineyards Pinot Gris (Marlborough, New Zealand) – $17.49 regularly $21.99.

The Ned represents the vibrant diversity that is so prevalent in the Marlborough wine-growing region in the Northeast of the South Island. One of Marlborough’s famous peaks, The Ned mountain served as the playground for founder, Brent Marris to express his grassroots winemaking that places the energy and liveliness of this grand adventure in every bottle made. The Marisco Vineyards are located in the Waihopai Valley, a location which provides a near perfect environment for producting wines of great character.

Our feature this week is their Marisco Vineyards Pinot Gris, a delightfully aromatic white featuring bright florals and ripe aromas of white peach, poached pears, baked apples, green mangoes and honeydew with hints of baking spice. The harmonious palate is fresh and full of flavour (no doubt due to the extended contact of the juice with the grape skins prior to pressing). This is a delicious example of cool climate Marlborough Pinot Gris (much like their Sauvignon Blanc which we featured a couple of months back). Try pairing with chicken, fish, pasta dishes, even Dim Sum.

The Ned Marisco Vineyards Pinot Gris (Marlborough, New Zealand) – $17.49, regularly $21.99.

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Author: Dirk Chan

The history of Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España began back in 1879 (making them one of the oldest wineries in Spain) at this winery in the famous Barrio de la Estación train station in the town of Haro. It is certainly on the short list of Rioja’s greatest traditional producers. Over more than 140 years, it has continued to grow around the Aldea del Vino (Wine Village), a sunny courtyard flanked by unique stone buildings with ceramic tile roofs, which has become the central hub of CVNE.

The first wine produced by CVNE took the name of the company’s initials. However, a simple and fortunate spelling error, confusing the V with a U, led to the creation of the now iconic Cune brand, now one of the leading wineries on the national market. The winery expanded its facilities in 2019, coinciding with its 140th anniversary and marking its continued commitment to producing the finest quality white, rosé and its various levels of red wines ranging from Crianzas to Gran Reserva’s.

deVine and Pacific Wines & Spirits welcome Export Director David Piera on Wednesday, Oct 23 @7pm as he leads us through seven wines that showcase the main Cune line of wines and two others – the famous single vineyard wines of Contino (established as one of the first single vineyard sites in all of Spain in 1973) as well as Vina Real (established in 1920 as a long ager, rounder and powerful side of Rioja Alevesa). The highlight will be a Cune Imperial Gran Reserva.