deVine Thoughts

May 12, 2025

Weekly Offer for May 12/25

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:05 pm

weekly_rivera_cappellaccio_aglianico_small
Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Rivera Cappellaccio Castel del Monte Aglianico Riserva (Puglia, Italy) – $18.99, regularly $26.99.

Founded by Sebastiano de Corato in the late 1940’s with the intension of creating a name for the hilly Castel del Monte area for his Azienda Vinicola Rivera. The winery became popular and has set a benchmark for Puglia (located in the far south-eastern corner of the boot of Italy) quality wine production. In the early 1980s, Sebastiano’s son Carlo carried on with new innovations and the winery at present is run by the fourth generation – Carlo’s sons Sebastiano and Marco. Nowadays, they are easily the leading ambassadors for the Puglia region.

Our weekly special this week is their Cappellaccio Castel del Monte Aglianico Riserva, a red that expresses the full potential of Aglianico grown on the limestone hills of the DOC Castel del Monte. The Cappellaccio Aglianico Riserva takes its name from the thin and hard calcareous crust that is found at around 30-40 cm under the limestone soils that has to be broken in order to allow vines to be planted.

Deep ruby colored with typical Aglianico character show through on the nose – earth, leather, smoke and spice! The palate is judiciously tannic but not too aggressive. Good concentration of blackberry fruit leads to a roasted herbs, plums and berry soaked finish. Try with grilled savory meats and mature cheeses.

Rivera Cappellaccio Castel del Monte Aglianico Riserva (Puglia, Italy) – $18.99, regularly $26.99.

Return to devinewines.ca

May 5, 2025

Something Special for Mother’s Day

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:50 pm

flowers3_small
Author: Dirk Chan

A Happy Mother’s Day to all mother’s out there and hope your day is full of love, joy and plenty of wine! Here are our suggestions for the festive day:

Sparkling for Brunch:

NV Pere Ventura Chic Barcelona Cava Brut (Penedès, Spain) – $19.99
NV De Chanceny Cremant de Loire Brut (Loire Valley, France) – $26.99
NV Cleto Chiarli Brut de Noir Rosé (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) – $27.49
2022 Aphros Phaunus Pet Nat Sparkling Rosé (Vinho Verde, Portugal) – $46.99
NV Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Quality Brut (Champagne, France) – $77.99
NV Henri Billiot et Fils Rosé (Champagne, France)- $81.99
2012 Champagne Gardet Charles Rose de Saignee Brut Premier Cru (Champagne, France) – $124.99
2015 Moet & Chandon Dom Pérignon Brut (Champagne, France) – $389.99
cepa_hito_rosado

Something Pink:

2023 San Marzano Tramari Rosé di Primitivo (Puglia, Italy) – $23.99
2023 Emilio Moro Cepa Hito Rosado (Ribera del Duero, Spain) – $29.99
2023 Lightfoot & Wolfville Rosé (Nova Scotia, Canada) – $35.99

A few whites and reds for that special meal:

2023 Domaine Labbé Abymes (Savoie, France) – $22.99
2023 Schloss Lieser Riesling Trocken (Mosel, Germany) – $31.99
2022 Vasse Felix Chardonnay (Margaret River, Australia) – $53.99
2019 Domaine Duchesse de Magenta Puligny Montrachet Les Houilleres (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $124.99
2022 Bleasdale Mulberry Tree Cabernet Sauvignon (Langhorne Creek, Australia) – $23.49
2021 Graceland Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $45.99
2021 Catena Alta Historic Rows Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina) – $65.99
2020 Massolino Filli Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) – $82.99
2013 Tommasi Amarone Riserva Ca’Florian (Veneto, Italy) – $139.99
2011 Le Dome (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $249.99

brigaldara_recioto
Chocolate Pairings:

2023 Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d’Asti (Piedmont, Italy) – $29.99

2021 Brigaldara Recioto della Valpolicella (Veneto, Italy) – 375mL – $39.99
2015 Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $85.99
1982 Thunevin-Calvet Maury Vin Doux Naturel (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $86.99
Taylor Fladgate Golden Age Tawny Port 50 Year Old (Douro, Portugal) – $349.99

Happy Mother’s Day!

Return to devinewines.ca

Weekly Offer for May 5/25

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 10:11 am

weekly_dory_red_small
Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the AdegaMae Dory Tinto (Lisboa, Portugal) – $16.99, regularly $20.99.

Created in 2010, AdegaMae, owned by the Alves family, is located 40km northwest of Lisbon, steps away from the Atlantic Ocean influence that gives their wines a very special freshness and acidity; at the same time, they offer excellent minerality that comes from the predominantly clay-limestone soils. The red wines showcase the family’s long history in viticulture, fully embracing their continental terroir, in vineyards sheltered by the mountain chain, where the climate provides wider temperature variations, warmer summers and early maturation.

Our weekly special this week is their Dory Tinto, a blend of Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Aragonez. Ruby coloured with fine aromatic intensity, delivering notes of violets, wild berries, cassis and pepper. Its fruitiness resurfaces on the juicy palate. A very elegant and fine wine with appealing slightly spicy tannins. Easy to enjoy everyday drinker to pair with grilled red meats.

Prost!

AdegaMae Dory Tinto (Lisboa, Portugal) – $16.99, regularly $20.99.

Return to devinewines.ca

April 30, 2025

Buy Canadian

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:58 pm

buy_canadian_small

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!

Return to devinewines.ca

April 28, 2025

Weekly Offer for Apr 28/25

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 10:06 am

weekly_reine_juliette_carignan_small
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.

Return to devinewines.ca

April 21, 2025

Weekly Offer for Apr 21/25

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 11:27 am

weekly_ferraton_cdr_rouge_small
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.

Return to devinewines.ca

April 14, 2025

Annual Easter Dinner Wine Recommendations

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:49 pm

turkey_ham_small
Author: Dirk Chan

Easter is this coming weekend, and you’ll want some celebratory wines to accompany turkey & ham dinner or that special meal you’ll be preparing for your loved ones. Enjoy the long weekend everyone.

Our store hours this weekend are:

Good Friday: 12-5pm
Saturday: 11-7pm
Easter Sunday: Closed
Monday: 11-6pm

Start your evening off with a sparkling wine, followed by whites, reds, a dessert wine and perhaps a little meditation course for digestifs or Port.

Sparkling Wines

Sparkling wines are a great way to start any gathering whether its a greeting aperitif or to pair with appetizers. Lively and clean, these will get everyone’s palate ready for what’s to come next:

NV La Jara Brut Prosecco (Veneto, Italy) – $22.99
NV De Chanceny Cremant de Loire Brut (Loire Valley, France) – $26.99
2020 Pittnauer Pitt-Nat Sparkling Rose (Burgenland, Austria) – $39.99
2020 Brandini Alta Langa Brut DOCG (Piedmont, Italy) – $46.99

Champagne

Now if you serve Champagne, your audience will immediately know you’re here to do some serious partaking and celebrating:
dom_perignon_15
NV Champagne Gardet Brut Tradition (Champagne, France) – $68.99
NV Henri Billiot et Fils Rosé (Champagne, France)- $81.99
NV Champagne La Rogerie La Grande Vie Grand Cru (Champagne, France) – $114.99
2010 Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs (Champagne, France) – $132.99
2015 Moet & Chandon Dom Pérignon Brut (Champagne, France) – $389.99

Whites & Pinks

Whites with a touch of sweetness is preferred because of the sweetness of some of the fixings – candied yams, cranberry sauce, and honey for the glazed ham. A completely dry white will seem more austere and void of fruit due to the sweetness of the food so I recommend Rieslings (dry or off-dry, both work), Gewurztraminers or other Germanic or Alsace varietals. Having said that, some will always go with a dry creamy Chardonnay or Chenon irregardless and that’s perfectly fine. Also, don’t forget that rosés work really well too!

2023 Bodegas Neleman Nucli White (Valencia, Spain) – $19.99
2023 Cantine Agriverde Riseis Pecorino (Abruzzi, Italy) – $23.99
2023 Lafazanis Winery Geometria Malagouzia (Nemea, Greece) – $24.99
2023 Quinta de Soalheiro Alvarinho (Melgaco, Portugal) – $30.99
2023 Sybille Kuntz Riesling Trocken (Mosel, Germany) – $34.99
2023 Joie A Noble Blend (BC – Naramata Bench, Canada) – $37.99
2023 Hubert Brochard Sancerre (Loire Valley, France) – $44.99
2021 Domaine Weinbach Les Vignes du Precheur (Alsace, France) – $52.99
2020 Mullineux & Leeu Passant Chardonnay (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $89.99
2019 Domaine Duchesse de Magenta Puligny Montrachet Les Houilleres (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $124.99
2018 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc (Bordeaux – Pessac-Leognan, France) – $259.99
2023 Maison Lorgeril L’Orangeraie Rosé (Pays d’Oc, France) – $21.99
2023 Lightfoot & Wolfville Rosé (Nova Scotia, Canada) – $35.99

Reds

For reds, try to avoid the big oaky tannic monsters. Oak and tannins are the enemies when pairing with slightly sweet food, try for a red with lots of up-front fruit, little oak and a soft tannins like a Beaujolais (served slightly chilled) or a Pinot Noir.
la_mauriane
2021 Spier Signature Collection Pinotage (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $17.99
2023 Novaia Valpolicella Classico (Veneto, Italy) – $21.99
2021 The Ned Pinot Noir (Marlborough, New Zealand) – $23.99
2023 De Forville Barbera d’Alba (Piedmont, Italy) – $27.99
2019 Domaine Bulliat Moulin a Vent (Beaujolais, France) – $33.49
2022 Maison Albert Brenot Bourgogne Rouge (Burgundy, France) – $37.99
2019 Château La Mauriane (Bordeaux – Puisseguin-St-Emilion, France) – $47.99
2021 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon (Margaret River, Australia) – $59.99
2020 Massolino Filli Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) – $82.99
2012 Telmo Rodriguez Granja Remelluri Gran Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $111.99
2010 Château Lafon-Rochet (Bordeaux – St. Estephe, France) – $164.99
2001 Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco (Piedmont, Italy) – $289.99
2008 Château Pontet-Canet (Bordeaux – Pauillac, France) – $309.99

Dessert

As for dessert, remember dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert itself:

2021 Lakeview Cellars Vidal Icewine (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – 200mL – $21.99
2023 Vietti Moscato d’Asti (Piedmont, Italy) – $40.99
2021 Château Sigalas Rabaud Premier Cru Classé (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 375mL – $69.99
2010 Hexamer Rieslng Eiswein (Nahe, Germany) – 375mL – $169.99
fonseca_85
Port (Post Dinner)

Port is always good for the final touches of a meal, with cheese and roasted nuts:

Ramos Pinto 10 Year Old Tawny Quinta de Ervamoira (Douro, Portugal) – $56.99
2015 Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $86.99
1981 Kopke Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $179.99
Taylor Fladgate Golden Age Tawny Port 50 Year Old (Douro, Portugal) – $349.99
1985 Fonseca Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $399.99

Happy Easter to all!

Return to devinewines.ca

x

Weekly Offer for Apr 14/25

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 9:41 am

weekly_kaiken_ultra_malbec_small
Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2021 Kaiken Ultra Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) – $24.99, regularly $29.99.

Argentina’s Kaiken Winery has been a leader in the heart of Lujan de Cuyo’s Vistalba region, but also with vineyards extending from Cafayate to Patagonia. This district in Luján de Cuyo sits at the base of the Andes, forty kilometers south of the city of Mendoza. The altitude of this vineyard ensures a wide temperature range good for maturing grapes. The high altitude (up to 1250 feet) has something to do with the quality and consistency of their lineup, always capturing the spirit of the land.

Our weekly special this week is their Ultra Malbec, Wine Spectator’s No. 30 Wine of the Year from 2024. It is classic Argentinean Malbec with an intense red cor with violet and blue hues. The lovely violet nose alongside purple fruits is enticing, while plum, black fruits, white pepper and clove make an appearance on the concentrated yet velvety palate. Medium-full bodiness leads to surprisingly soft tannins on the slightly smoky licoricey finish. There is a lot of variety here and a special finesse, probably the result of grapes cultivated from their three terroirs – Los Chacayes, Altamira and Gualtallary. Measure your palate against the wine critics! – Pair with a grilled beef tenderloin.

Prost!

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

Return to devinewines.ca

April 7, 2025

Weekly Offer for Apr 7/25

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:03 pm

weekly_el_petit_bonhomme_small
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

Return to devinewines.ca

March 31, 2025

New High End Arrivals that Beat the Ad Valorem Tax

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 1:42 pm

last_order_b4_tax_hike_small
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

2019 Domaine Duchesse de Magenta Puligny Montrachet Les Houilleres (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $124.99

2020 Louis Jadot Beaune Premier Cru Celebration (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $96.99

2016 Paolo Scavino Barolo Prapo (Piedmont, Italy) – $139.99

2021 Fattoria Le Pupille Saffredi (Maremma, Italy) – $199.99

Other new arrivals worthy of interest:

2018 Antonelli San Marco Montefalco Sagrantino (Umbria, Italy) – $61.99

2020 Piaggia Carmignano Riserva (Tuscany, Italy) – $74.99

2022 Domaine de la Vougeraie Bourgogne Terres de Famille (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $78.99

2012 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $83.99

2017 Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi Riserva (White Label) (Campania, Italy) – $84.99

2020 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rotenberg (Alsace, France) – $85.99

2023 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese #10 (Mosel, Germany) – $96.99

2018 Fattoria del Pino Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $96.99

2020 Domaine Seguin-Manuel Premier Cru Beaune Champimonts (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $102.99

2019 Castello dei Rampolla Sammarco (Tuscany, Italy) – $104.99

NV Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru (Champagne, France) – $149.99

2020 Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy Gevrey Chambertin Clos Prieur (Burgundy – Cote de Nuits, France) – $189.99

2012 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – 1.5L – $189.99

2015 Moet & Chandon Dom Pérignon Brut (Champagne, France) – $389.99

Most of these there are only 6 bottles available so shop early to avoid disappointment.

Return to devinewines.ca

Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress