deVine’s Daily Blog Article

March 23, 2026

Rioja Icon Lopez de Heredia

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:10 pm

Author: Dirk Chan

Hard to believe its been almost eight years since the iconic Rioja producer Lopez de Heredia’s World Export Manager, Maria Vicente was here to lead a tasting with us (April 20, 2018 to be exact). She was in town briefly this past weekend and we had a short impromptu tasting through some current releases.

Founded in 1877, four generations of the R López de Heredia family have devoted themselves to producing exceptional and unique wines in Haro, home to the Tempranillo based red wines and the Viura and Malvasia for their whites. Hidden away in their cob-webbed laidened cellars for a long time, Heredia is renown for late releases, the wines when they arrive have age (over a decade usually) on them and show marvelously and is well priced given how long the wines are cellared and for the quality you get.

We are happy to have the following in stock with a new shipment arriving in a couple of months. Enjoy!

Lopez de Heredia Mixed Pack Gift Box (Rioja, Spain) – $509.99

1995 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $449.99

2012 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – 1.5L – $209.99

2012 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $95.99

2014 Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $74.99

Return to devinewines.ca

Comments (0)

Weekly Offer for Mar 23/26

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 11:21 am

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Fattoria la Lecciaia Rosso di Toscana IGT (Tuscany, Italy) – $20.49, regularly $24.99.

Fattoria la Lecciaia is part of a new breed of Montalcino producers, blending vision and respect for the region’s long winemaking traditions. Careful faming and attention to detail brings out true Sangiovese character in their lineup showcasing balance, structure and elegance.

Our feature this week is their Rosso di Toscanna, a 70% Sangiovese blend with the rest Cabernet and Merlot. Vibrant notes of ripe cherries, red plums, and a hint of dried herbs, framed by soft tannins and a whisper of spice from gentle oak aging. Medium-bodied and lively, it’s a versatile red that balances rustic charm with elegance, it is a delicious mini-Super Tuscan. Try it with a vegetable lasagna or margherita pizza.

Fattoria la Lecciaia Rosso di Toscana IGT (Tuscany, Italy) – $20.49, regularly $24.99.

Return to devinewines.ca

Comments (0)

March 16, 2026

Weekly Offer for Mar 16/26

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 11:07 am

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Mauro Molino Barbera d’Alba (Piedmont, Italy) – $22.99, regularly $27.99.

Established in 1953, the Azienda Agricola Molino is located near the ancient abbey of S. Martino di Marcenasco and includes one of the most famous crus of the Langhe, “Vigna Conca”, among its vineyards. The estate is run since 1978, year of the death of the founder Giuseppe, by his son Mauro, an oenologist certified at the well known Oenology Institute of Alba. Mauro, due to the experience acquired in various estates in northern Italy, has given a big impulse towards the production of high quality wines.

The youngest generation run the estate – Matteo Molino and his younger sister Martina, have taken over the reins from their father, Mauro, who took over from his father in the early 1970s. Since then, the young sibling team have guided Molino into new international markets travelling to places like Australia, allowing people to discover their impeccable wines made as sustainably as possible.

The company continues to produce wines in Annunziata of La Morra, in the utmost respect of traditions. The total area amounts to 12 hectares, 50% of which is meant for Nebbiolo for Barolo. The rest is devoted to the production of Barbera d’Alba, Dolcetto d’Alba and, in a smaller quantity, of Roero Arneis.

Our feature this week is their Barbera d’Alba, with its upfront and immediately vibrant cherries and a hint of citrus peel. Violets, black tea and chalk all make appearances on the charming nose. So much to love about the palate, it’s soft and juicy, yet fine and long. Not tannic at all, just lightly framed and lovely with fine finesse. Try with a charcuterie plate.

Mauro Molino Barbera d’Alba (Piedmont, Italy) – $22.99, regularly $27.99.

Return to devinewines.ca

Comments (0)

March 9, 2026

Pre-Sell of G. D. Vajra’s Rosabella Rosato 2025

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:31 pm

Author: Dirk Chan

This is a pre-sell for the 2025 G. D. Vajra Rosabella Rosato (Piedmont, Italy) – $33.99

We had this wine at one of our spring rosé tasting two years ago and this was the wine of the tasting. Unfortunately, the stock lasted less than a few weeks and we did not receive any last year. We still get requests for it so we are working with our Vajra agent to pre-sell the 2025 that is coming shortly. Here is your chance to secure some bottles of this much sought-after pink for this summer.

G. D. Vajra is located 3 kilometers from the center of Barolo. They are sustainable and organic certified. With an incredible ratio of manual work per hectare, farming at Vajra is a labor of love. Intense research is also placed into monitoring and improving the biodiversity of both flora and fauna not just in the vineyards, but also in the winery fields and forests. We have had great success over the years with this Piedmont producer.

They produce classic wines that include Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo (Barolo) and this Rosato. Rosabella is a rosé de saignée (a method of rosé winemaking that involves “bleeding” off a portion of red wine juice after it’s been in contact with the skins and seeds – it is a unique style of rosé wine because it is so often bolder and darker in color than any other rosé wine) that produces a bigger, darker, and stronger. First produced between 2004 and 2007, Rosabella is a focus on Nebbiolo, with small amounts of Barbera and Dolcetto.

The cut-off date for this pre-sell is Sunday, March 15 @ 6pm. ETA is early May, 2026 – we will contact you upon arrival.

2025 G. D. Vajra Rosabella Rosato (Piedmont, Italy) – $33.99.

Other currently available G. D. Vajra wines include the following:

2024 G. D. Vajra Moscato d’Asti (Piedmont, Italy) – 375mL – $18.99.

2023 G. D. Vajra Langhe Rosso (Piedmont, Italy) – $26.99.

2024 G. D. Vajra Dolcetto d’Alba (Piedmont, Italy) – $29.99.

2024 G. D. Vajra Barbera d’Alba (Piedmont, Italy) – $37.99.

2021 G. D. Vajra Barolo Albe (Piedmont, Italy) – $79.99.

Prost everyone!

Return to devinewines.ca

Comments (0)

Weekly Offer for Mar 9/26

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:13 pm

Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the Quarisa Johnny Q. Cabernet Sauvignon (South Australia) – $15.49, regularly $18.99.

John and Josephine Quarisa were high-school sweethearts whose motto is ‘Passion is Everything’. As a winemaker for over 30 years, John’s winemaking has been awarded some of Australia’s greatest accolades including both the Jimmy Watson and Stodart Trophies. In establishing their range of wines, the Quarisas have drawn on their greatest passions in life; their children, their family, heritage and John, himself, the fun loving winemaker. They have ten ranges of wines on offer.

Our weekly special this week is their Johnny Q range Cabernet Sauvignon, made from grapes grown in Coonawarra in South Australia. It is winemaker John Quarisa’s quirky and good humoured approach to life that inspires this exceptional, full flavoured approachable range. Johnny Q Wines are fresh, flavoursome, fruit driven, quality and consistent with grapes sourced from various renowned viticultural regions in South Australia.

Intense red with purple hues. Fresh, complex cassis and mint fruit flavours with some well integrated vanillin oak . Full bodied with dense ripe cassis fruit flavours balanced with vanillin oak but yet long and smooth. Try with chargrilled sirloin or a hearty minestrone. This wine has the flavour, structure and balance to be enjoyed now or offers added satisfaction from further cellaring. A great QPR Best Bang for the Buck red to enjoy as a daily drinker.

Quarisa Johnny Q. Cabernet Sauvignon (South Australia) – $15.49, regularly $18.99.

Return to devinewines.ca

Comments (0)

March 2, 2026

Weekly Offer for Mar 2/26

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 1:56 pm

Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the Osmin and Cie Pyrene L’ettonant Pinot Noir (Cotes de Gascogne, France) – $17.49, regularly $21.99.

The Lionel Osmin & Cie group was created with the aim of establishing a quality wine merchant focusing on the wines of the Gascogne Southwest of France, a project that had never been realized in this region before. Emphasizing the discovery of the unique grape varieties and terroirs of the region, Lionel and his associates, a group of friends united by their love and passion for Southwest wines. Due to their agricultural and agronomic backgrounds, the group’s partners aim to produce the healthiest wines possible while minimizing their impact on the environment. They are also actively involved in reforesting the Landes forest through their tree planting project linked to the sale of their wines (12 bottles sold = 1 tree planted), in addition to being committed to various cultural and social causes to ensure that viticulture is synonymous with the future!

Our feature of the week is their Pyrene L’ettonant Pinot Noir. Pyrène wines is a private label under Lionel Osmin & Cie. Located in the heart of the South-West, at the very foothill of the Pyrène in Pau, the Lionel Osmin & Cie Maison is constantly bottling the essence of their unique regional grapes and idyllic landscapes.

This pinot noir is charming and accessible with cherry, strawberry and slight spice character. Medium-bodied and refreshing yet has nice concentration and very easy to enjoy. A very consistent producer – this is the third successfuly wine we carry from this house. Pair with cured meats, terrines, poultry, white meats, pork chops, veal stew or Camembert.

Osmin and Cie Pyrene L’ettonant Pinot Noir (Cotes de Gascogne, France) – $17.49, regularly $21.99.

Return to devinewines.ca

Comments (0)

February 23, 2026

Weekly Offer for Feb 23/26

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 11:08 am

Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the Flight of the Condor Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina) – $16.99, regularly $21.49.

The majestic condors soar above the Andes Mountains capturing in their flight Argentina’s finest wine appellations. Each wine in the Flight of the Condor winery’s range shows varietally pure wines which excel in their region of origin.

Our feature of the week is their Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Mendoza with its consistent weather conditions in high elevation vineyards that produces wonderfully consistent reds. The grapes are selected for their balanced fruit profile. 4-5 days of cold soak was followed by 8-10 days of alcoholic fermentation and malo-lactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine spends 6 months in contact with French oak prior to bottling.

The wine has a vibrant, fresh fruit profile, and is varietally pure with a linear structure and nuanced complexity of well integrated light oak contact. Try with grilled red meats and aged cheddars.

Flight of the Condor Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina) – $16.99, regularly $21.49.

Return to devinewines.ca

Comments (0)

February 16, 2026

Weekly Offer for Feb 16/26

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:54 pm

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Bodega Ramon Ramos Tardencuba Crianza (Toro, Spain) – $27.49, regularly $34.99.

The Ramon Ramos is a 35 minute drive SE of Zamora in the NW Spain. The estate dates from the 13th-century, the cellar, had and still has all the necessary conditions for preserving and aging great wines. Combining modern technology with the wisdom passed down from their ancestors allows their wines to retain their timeless character while adapting to contemporary tastes.

Our weekly special this week is their Tardencuba Crianza made from 100% Tinta de Toro (Temperanillo) planted in vase-shaped containers in very poor sandy and stony soils with small production per hectare and harvested by hand. Intense red color with a garnet rim and very aromatic, with ripe red fruits with notes of black plum, and hints of cherries with a subtle and integrated touch of oak. Powerful and full-bodied yet smooth with a balanced entry, and a lingering aftertaste that shows some tannins but with fine acidity that invites another sip. Decant for 1/2 hour and definitely pair with grilled meats, game dishes, cured meats, smoked foods, and aged cheeses; it can also accompany chocolate desserts.

Prost everyone!

Bodega Ramon Ramos Tardencuba Crianza (Toro, Spain) – $27.49, regularly $34.99.

Return to devinewines.ca

Comments (0)

February 9, 2026

Weekly Offer for Feb 9/26

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 1:47 pm

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Spier Field & Flutter Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon (Western Cape, South Africa) – $19.99, regularly $24.99.

The Spier winery and farm was founded in 1692. In that time, the winery has come a long way and still strives to follow traditional winemaking practices, but also to keep up with current technology. Nestled in the famed Stellenbosch wine region, the vineyards have borne witness to centuries of craftsmanship and dedication. It is also a wine farm that welcomes all with abundant picnics, child-friendly gardens, award-winning wine tastings, farm-to-table eateries & more. This award winning, true to terroir producer has consistently represented great price for quality ratio in every range of wines they produced.

Our weekly special this week is indeed special, a brand new arrival into Alberta just in time for Valentines is their Field & Flutter Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, an organic blend of 7% Shiraz and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon. Ruby rich red colored with a nose of moss, cherries, mullberries, black currant and blackberries in a velvety and gentle package with medium body finishing with allspice and dark chocolate. Doesn’t that sound delicious?

Prost everyone!

Spier Field & Flutter Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon (Western Cape, South Africa) – $19.99, regularly $24.99

Return to devinewines.ca

Comments (0)

Valentine Wine Recommendations

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:23 pm

Author: Dirk Chan

Valentines is coming up this weekend, so here are a few recommendations to treat your loved one for this special occasion. Included are some rec’s for bubbles, special whites, rosés, reds and dessert & chocolate pairings. Much more options are available, just drop in the store this week or send us an email for personal assistance.

Pictured:

NV Ruinart Brut Rosé (Champagne, France) – $169.99

Below are other recommendations suitable for enjoying a bottle with your special someone:

Champagne/Sparkling Wine:

NV Undurraga Sparkling Rosé Royal (Leyda Valley, Chile) – $26.49

NV Bellenda Treviso Prosecco Levis Extra Dry (Veneto, Italy) – $28.49

NV Barone Pizzini Franciacorta Animante Extra Brut (Lombardy, Italy) – $64.99

NV Champagne Monmarthe Secret de Famille Brut (Champagne, France) – $67.99

NV Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Quality Brut (Champagne, France) – $87.99

NV Champagne Valentin Leflaive Sigma 20 4.0 Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $124.99

2015 Champagne Gardet 130th Anniversary Extra Brut Millesime (Champagne, France) – $129.99

NV Billecart-Salmon Brut Le Rosé (Champagne, France) – $156.99