deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

With the “Buy Canadian” anti-American push in full gear, we have stocked a few more Canadian wines for your shopping needs. Unfortunately, availability is low what with the fires from the last couple of growing seasons. There has been BC wineries purchasing grapes from Washington and Oregon, and we have ruled out those for the store as well.

Alas, there is enough Canadian wines available to satisfy most purchasers.

Pictured from left to right:

2023 Joie A Noble Blend (BC – Naramata Bench, Canada) – $37.99
2023 Wild Goose Gewurztraminer (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $26.99
2022 Vineland Estates Cabernet Franc (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – $21.99
2022 Clos du Soleil Celestiale (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $34.99
2021 Burrowing Owl Cabernet Sauvignon (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $56.99

Other Candians worthy of your consideration:

2023 Fielding Estate Pinot Grigio (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – $23.99
2023 Lake Breeze Pinot Gris (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $29.99
2022 Burrowing Owl Chardonnay (BC – Okanagan, Canada)- $45.99
2022 Mission Hill Estate Series Meritage (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $26.99
2022 Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Old Vines (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – $27.99
2020 Malivoire Albert’s Honour Old Vines Foch (Ontario – Beamsville Bench, Canada) – $32.99
2022 Quails’ Gate Limited Release Old Vines Foch (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $34.49
2023 Averill Creek Pinot Noir (BC – Cowichan Valley, Canada) – $39.99
2022 Burrowing Owl Pinot Noir (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $53.99
2019 Stratus Cabernet Franc Decant (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – $174.99

Happy Shopping everyone!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Domaine Reine Juliette Carignan (Pays d’Oc, France France) – $16.99, regularly $20.99.

The Reine Juliette estate is located in the heart of Languedoc, less than 10 kilometers from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and 50 km south of Montpellier. Guillaume Alliès is one of the guiding forces in the region, the estate is known for its high quality wines from lower yields and conscientious vineyard work.

Guillaume and his sister Marion inherited the estate from their parents in 1985, and they are now joined by his son Guillaume in working the land. Together they are the 6th and 7th generations of Alliès making wine at Reine Juliette. Although the estate is sizable (100 ha of total plantation), everything is estate grown and bottled. Due to its location, the vineyard benefits from a microclimate. The climate is tempered by sea breezes and mists, ideal for perfecting the maturity of our wines.

Our weekly special this week is their Carignan – this is a charming example of Carignan from the Languedoc – dark purple in color with flavors of black fruits and spice, sofit acidity and integrated tannins. Meant for early drinking. Fine with bbq’d meats, or a plate of cured meats. Also makes a fine match with cold meats, tapas as well as cheeseboards.

Prost!

Domaine Reine Juliette Carignan (Pays d’Oc, France France) – $16.99, regularly $20.99.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Ferraton Pere & Fils Cotes-du-Rhone Samorens Rouge (Rhone Valley, France) – $18.49, regularly $22.99.

The story of Domaine Ferraton Pere & Fils was started in the Rhone Valley in 1946 by Jean Orens Ferraton. His son, Michel runs the show and has extended holdings into the Northern Rhone with Syrah based wines. With the help of the famous Michel Chapoutier, they were certified organic in 1998 and has since moved up to Demeter-certified biodynamic in 2015. With holdings in both North and Southern Rhone, they are committed to respecting nature and the land, being rigorous and precise in its work in order to create the best wines and very affordable ones too.

Our weekly special this week is their Cotes-du-Rhone Samorens Rouge from the Southern Rhone, a Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault blend from vineyards are situated on the left bank of the Rhône with alluvial and gravely soil. The colour is garnet core with ruby reflections while the nose offers aromas of very ripe red fruits. On the palate, it is nicely structured with blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and liquorice all making an appearance. Finishes with spices and herbs. Calling for a stew!

Prost!

Ferraton Pere & Fils Cotes-du-Rhone Samorens Rouge (Rhone Valley, France) – $18.49, regularly $22.99.

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Author: Dirk Chan

2021 Kaiken Ultra Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) – $24.99, regularly $29.99.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Nathalie Bonhomme El Petit Bonhomme Tinto (Jumilla, Spain) – $16.99, regularly $20.99.

Quebec born and raised Nathalie Bonhomme has a remarkable story. A rock star winemaker, Bonhomme produces fun, value-driven wines of exceptional quality with a recognizable label/brand that she created in southern Spain where she now resides. deVine has had a long history with Nathalie – for those of you who are old enough to remember, she created the wine and label for our custom red – the Promenade Red 2011 vintage with its silver label and a picture of our exterior storefront. The wine was pretty darn good too!!

Our weekly special this week is her flagship El Petit Bonhomme Tinto – with her iconic red label and cartoon character which she created herself is an easy to enjoy wine that brings people together. She likes her wine to be enjoyed by “good people with a great sense of humour that eat well, drink well and laugh well.” This red is 55% thirty-plus year-old Monastrell, 30% Garnacha and 15% Syrah from the harsh climate and bush vines of South-West Spain in the Jumilla wine region. Intense cherry color, nose of spices, plum, thyme and rosemary, with a hint of dried grass. On the palate, black fruits, white pepper, black pepper and redcurrant intermingle, the tannins are supple, the texture is fine, the whole is round, balanced and persistent.

Prost!

Nathalie Bonhomme El Petit Bonhomme Tinto (Jumilla, Spain) – $16.99, regularly $20.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Today (March 31/2025) is the last day prior to the Alberta Government’s Ad Valorem tax on high end wine that kicks in tomorrow on April 1/2025, and believe you me, I wish I could say it is just a cruel April Fool’s joke, but it is not! – up to 15% price increase on expensive wines.

Luckily for us, our order day is Mondays so we have over spent this week to bring in some what we consider true “high end” wines to beat the tax just under the wire. The wines listed below will arrive this wednesday but you can pre-purchase using the links in this blog. Most are in six packs so only the six bottles available on a first-come first-serve basis.

Enjoy the shopping and beating this nonsensical tax, it is our only solace in this sad state of affairs.

Pictured left to right:

2010 Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs (Champagne, France) – $132.99

Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $24.99, regularly $30.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Talamonti Moda Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Abruzzi, Italy) – $16.99, regularly $21.49.

The Talamonti vineyard/estate was started in 2001 (before that it was part of a collective) comprising 32 hectares dedicated to the production of classic Abruzzo grapes – Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo & Pecorino, as well as some Merlot for blending.
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Talamonti specializes in crafting wines that celebrate the rich winemaking heritage of Loreto Aprutino and the Abruzzi region. Talamonti’s vineyards are 300m above sea level, and benefit from a favourable south-easterly exposure, and from the micro-climate and terrior that typifies the area along the Tavo Valley, making it one of the most popular areas in Abruzzo for making wine. Talamonti is one of the favorite producers in Abruzzo in terms of value and price. The style of winemaking is very consistent and readily offers great bang for your buck.

Our feature this week is their Moda Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – Intense ruby-red color with violet undertones is followed by a fragrant bouquet of ripe red fruits. Lively, elegantly framed by oak spices and chocolate. Chill this for 10-15 minutes and pair with hearty, savory dishes, such as beef brisket, hamburgers, beef bolognese, tagliatelle, ragu, and high-protein pizzas. The adventurous can try it with grilled meats.

Prost!

Talamonti Moda Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Abruzzi, Italy) – $16.99, regularly $21.49.)

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