deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan
The upcoming July 1 is not only Canada Day, but a landmark day with all pandemic restrictions lifted. It is time to celebrate and everyone should open some bubbles to congratulate ourselves for having lived through Covid for well over a year. It is time to celebrate ourselves, friends and relatives for persistence and perseverance through this difficult period in our lives. Although we believe we must still be vigilant, we can for once indulge and celebrate this momentous day.

Below are our recommendations to mark this momentous day! Please remember to drink responsibly.

First, pictured (left to right):
NV Henry of Pelham Cuvee Catharine Brut Rose (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – $44.99
NV Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru (Champagne, France) – $149.99
NV Krug Rosé (Champagne, France) – $419.99
2010 Moet & Chandon Dom Pérignon Brut (Champagne, France) – $299.99

Sparkling
2020 Benjamin Bridge Pet Nat (Nova Scotia, Canada) – 250mL Can – $13.49
NV Pago de Tharsys Dominio de Tharsys Cava Brut Rosado (Valencia, Spain) – $19.99
NV Bodegues Sumarroca True Colours Brut Cava (Penedès, Spain) – $22.99
NV Fernridge Winery Haha Brut Cuvee (Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand) – $24.99
NV Mission Hill Estate Grown Reserve Brut (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $29.99
2019 Huber Gruner Veltliner Blanc de Blancs Brut (Traisental, Austria) – $39.99

Champagne recommendations:
NV Champagne Baron-Fuente Grande Reserve Brut (Champagne, France) – $52.99
NV Champagne Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut (Champagne, France) – $59.99
NV Pierre Peters Cuvée de Reserve Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs (Champagne, France) – $76.99
NV Champagne Jacquesson Extra Brut Cuvee No. 743 (Champagne, France) – $86.99
2014 Taittinger Brut Millesime (Champagne, France) – $104.99
2016 Bereche et Fils Campania Remensis Brut Rosé (Champagne, France) – $114.99
NV Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut (Champagne, France) – $127.99
NV Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé (Champagne, France) – $129.99

For those of you who want to go all out! :
1999 Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart Brut Liesse d’Harbonville (Champagne, France) – $224.99
2009 Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Brut (Champagne, France) – $274.99
2004 Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $359.99
2000 Krug Brut (Champagne, France) – $399.99 
2002 Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon Plenitude P2 (Champagne, France) – $649.99 

We are open Thursday, July 1 from noon to 5pm. Happy Canada Day everyone!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the 2019 Le Grand Verdu Blanc & 2018 Le Grand Verdu Rouge – both $17.49 (regularly $21.99)

The vineyards of Château Le Grand Verdus is situated in the heart of a preserved hilly landscape, in the AOC of Bordeaux Supérieur area, between the Médoc, Graves and Saint-Emilion, at the gateway to the Entre-Deux-Mers region (between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers), 20 km east of Bordeaux city.

This fine country 16th-century Renaissance residence has been in the hands of the same family since 1810, with four generations of the Le Grix de la Salle family, all fired by the same passion for making wine that reflect its terroir.

First, the intense white with its white flowers, pear and citrus fruit nose. The rich aromatic palette has mouth-watering acidity, bright and fresh, finishing with minerality – ideal for accompanying seafood and poultry. 60% Sauvignon blanc, 30% Sémillon, 10% Muscadelle.

Then treat yourself to the delicate and rounded Rouge, 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon – this is a luscious, fruity wine with the aromas of fresh fruit, spices and liquorice. Supple palate and instantly pleasurable, this wine will improve over five years. Great with some roasted lamb at the family table. Enjoy everyone!

2019 Château Le Grand Verdus Blanc (Bordeaux, France)- $17.49 (regularly $21.99)

2018 Château Le Grand Verdus Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Bordeaux Superieur (Bordeaux – Entre-Deux-Mers, France) – $17.49 (regularly $21.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our feature this week is the 2017 Villa Medoro Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – $18.49 (regularly $23.49)

Villa Medoro is owned by the Della Loggia-Morricone Family. In 1966, Federica Morricone’s grandfather, Mr. Luigi Della Loggia, bought property in Medoro, a small village located near the city of Atri in Abruzzo. The estate now encompasses over 250 hectares, 107 of which are currently planted with vines. Set in the beautiful area of the Teramo hills and overlooking the green Adriatic Sea, this area is very suited to prime viticulture and wine growing, particularly the Montepulciano grape.

The vineyards of Medoro, Fontanelle and Fonte Corvo, which are around 200 metres high and cultivated with great passion and newly planted in the 1990s, enjoy a traditional pergola education and are more reminiscent of pretty gardens than of agricultural land.

This wine is made from 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grapes and is vinified with maceration on the skins and stainless steel fermentation for 20 days. Malolactic fermentation takes place completely in stainless steel tanks with refinement in bottle for 4-6 months before release.

A lively and bright ruby red color with black cherry, red fruit, earth, leather and spices on the nose. It sees no oak and shows bright red and black cherry flavors with a hint of spice and smooth tannins. Forest fruits, garlic and mushrooms show up on the palate. Great food wine and a Tre bicchieri award winner.

2017 Villa Medoro Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Abruzzi, Italy) – $18.49 (regularly $23.49)

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Author: Dirk Chan
For only the 2nd time ever, Bordeaux has had a trio of great years – 2018, 2019 and now 2020. The last and only other time this occurred was 1988, 89 and 1990. Thus, we are announcing there will be a Futures Campaign for the 2020, the so-called “Covid Vintage”.

How does Futures work you ask – well at its most basic level, you’re purchasing unfinished wine – you pay for it in full now, and in two years time, they arrive and you have some great Bordeaux to cellar for some time before enjoying the fruits of your patience. The wines when bottled will be 10-15% higher so you get a price break. Nowadays, you buy futures so you can get your hands on a bottle or two of something great and rare. Bordeaux being one of the great wines in the world – at the top end, demand far out strips availability and Futures may be the only way of ensuring you get your hands on some illustrious houses.

2020 appears to be a Right Bank vintage, so the Merlot dominant appellations of St. Emilion and Pomerol will be highly sought after while Margaux and Haut-Medoc’s with high percentage of Merlot are also popular.

The pricing appears to be an increase of a few percent to 15%, thus a little more expensive than the giveaway pricing from last year, but still quite a bit cheaper than 2018. However, given that yields were down in general 20%, we are receiving less quantity than normal.

As usual, items offered will be sold on a first-come first served basis and in some cases maximums applied. In many cases we won’t be able to go back for more of something once it sells out and if we do, price will be second tranche (release) pricing.

If you would like to receive all the releases in the most timely manner, please subscribe to the 2020 Bordeaux Futures Offerings using this link –
https://secure.campaigner.com/CSB/Public/Form.aspx?fid=1842652&ac=cdw8

It is a two step confirmation, you will have to click the link sent to your email address. This ensures you get the offers as soon as we release them. Any unsold product will go on the main website two days after the initial offering. As usual, we’ll be updating each product with running counts of what’s left for sale as best we can. Subscribers can expect two offerings per week over 3 or 4 weeks beginning next week, the campaign will end early to mid June.

Check out all available wines here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

The Produttori del Barbaresco Cooperative is one of the most successful cooperatives in the world of winemaking. The winery is one of the stars of the Barbaresco region in the Piedmont region in Northern Italy. Established in 1958, there are now 51 growers who contribute their Nebbiolo grapes to the cooperative. The region covers over 100 hectares of premium nebbiolo grapes. In 1967, they were amongst the first wineries to produce single vineyard Barbaresco’s – there are nine different Cru Riservas produced only in exceptional vintages like 2016, one of the greatest vintages ever for Barbaresco’s.

We are pre-selling eight of their 2016 Single Vineyard Riservas that are spectacular for the money and those in the know will no doubt stock up. You pay for them now and the wines are schedule to arrive in late June, early July timeframe. Verticals going back 40 years have shown how great these wines can be. Superbly located – Gaja (6 min away) and Giacosa (13 min away) are neighbours whose wines sell for 4 to 7 times this price.

A must in every connoisseur’s cellar, a bargain in the expensive world of Nebbiolo not to be missed!! Barolo’s with this kind of scores sell for double this price. Quantities are very limited and sold on a first come first served basis. The number of available bottles will be counted down as they are purchased. No additional back-orders are available on this, once they’re gone, they are gone..

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja (Piedmont, Italy) – $104.99

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Pora (Piedmont, Italy) – $104.99

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Paje (Piedmont, Italy)- $104.99

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota (Piedmont, Italy) – $104.99

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Ovello (Piedmont, Italy) – $104.99

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano (Piedmont, Italy) – $104.99

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Montefico (Piedmont, Italy) – $104.99

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Asili (Piedmont, Italy) – $104.99

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Our special this week is the 2018 Vina Cobos Felino Malbec – $21.49 (regularly $26.99)

Viña Cobos makes wines that are authentic expressions of the terroir from which they come. Paul Hobbs, founding partner and winemaker at Viña Cobos and famous for his namesake estate in Napa, has worked since 1988 in the exploration of the different terroirs of Mendoza, Argentina looking for the most distinguished regions in Luján de Cuyo and the Valle de Uco, to produce wines that uniquely express their origins.

With the inaugural vintage of Cobos Malbec in 1999, Viña Cobos marked a milestone in viticulture, defying existing standards and firmly positioned Malbec and Argentina on the international wine scene. Since then, these prestigious wines have been recognized around the globe by critics and consumers alike, imparting distinct fruit profiles to their wines.

Deep red color with violet and blue tones. Aromas of white flowers and black fruits along with notes of white pepper and cloves. Elegant and balanced, presents hints of licorice and chocolate. Broad and smooth with firm tannins that lead to a persistent finish.

2018 Vina Cobos El Felino Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) – $21.49 (regularly $26.99)

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Guest Blogger – Jessica Scalzo, Program Coordinator, Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity, MacEwan University

Join us in celebrating Pride Month with our specially designed pride-themed packages to help celebrate the diversity, resiliency, love, and empowerment found within our LGBTQ2 and allied communities.

Despite our continued separation, we can join together in the spirit of pride from the safety of our own homes.

This year, the MacEwan Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity and deVine’s Wines & Spirits are proud to present a unique way for you to celebrate Pride@Home. Each pride package features a variety of delicious and delightful items donated by local businesses and craft makers.

Each Pride@Home package will help you celebrate pride in your own special way. Give one as a gift, or keep it for your own family or bubble! All proceeds will be donated in support of the MacEwan Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity.

There are 2 package selections to choose from: Boozy and Fizzy. The Boozy package features a selection of adult beverages, snacks, sweets, and fun-filled pride items. The Fizzy package includes craft sodas, Cookies by George, treats, and pride-themed items.

Do not delay in pre-ordering as quantities are limited to 75 Boozy and 25 Fizzy packages and first come first serve. Pride@Home packages are $50.00 each + GST. *There are no substitutions of package content.

We are extremely grateful to our most generous donors and supporters, including deVine’s Wines & Spirits, Flag Shop Edmonton, Pride Tape, Polar Park Brewing, AlleyKat Brewery, Dai Lou Treats, IKEA Edmonton, Cookies by George Edmonton, ATB Financial, Maya & Jena Kabba, Jon Hall, Ironjet Promotions, Theatre Garage, QUILTBAG, Annex Soda, Oilers Entertainment Group, Fruit Loop, Northern Chicken, Blush Lane Organic Market, and many more!

You can pre-order using the links below. Each link will detail the contents of each package and dates that they will be available for pickup/delivery.

2021 Pride Boozy Kit – $53.49

2021 Pride Fizzy Kit – $53.49 – Sorry, this is now SOLD OUT.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our feature this week is the Bodegas El Esteco Malbec – $21.99 (regularly $27.49).

Bodega El Esteco was founded in 1892 by David Michel and Gabriela Torino, is located in the Calchaqui Valley, which is in Argentina’s far northwest province of Salta. With over 1,500 acres of vineyards in one of the world’s highest growing regions for wine, the wines speak of their place of origin. The vineyards start at around 5,500 feet in elevation and rising to over 6,600 feet above sea level. Bordered by two mountain ranges— the Quilmes to the west and the Aconquija to the east create a natural barrier and microclimate.

Abundant sunshine and little rainfall, combined with high altitude create a recipe for a winemaker’s paradise. The region sees as little as six-eight inches of rain in a year so irrigation is a must, allowing the winemaking and viticulture teams to irrigate as they see fit.

The Malbec is dark, concentrated color and grapy, with bark-like aromas open this round, full-bodied red carrying roasted berry and plum flavors with some underbrush tones. Bold and vibrant with chewy tannins. Enjoy with grilled steak.

Bodega El Esteco Malbec (Calchaqui, Argentina) – $21.99 (regularly $27.49)

Return to devinewines.ca

Author: Dirk Chan
For only the 2nd time ever, Bordeaux has had a trio of great years – 2018, 2019 and now 2020. The last and only other time this occurred was 1988, 89 and 1990. Thus, we are announcing there will be a Futures Campaign for the 2020, the so-called “Covid Vintage”.

How does Futures work you ask – well at its most basic level, you’re purchasing unfinished wine – you pay for it in full now, and in two years time, they arrive and you have some great Bordeaux to cellar for some time before enjoying the fruits of your patience. The wines when bottled will be 10-15% higher so you get a price break. Nowadays, you buy futures so you can get your hands on a bottle or two of something great and rare. Bordeaux being one of the great wines in the world – at the top end, demand far out strips availability and Futures may be the only way of ensuring you get your hands on some illustrious houses.

2020 appears to be a Right Bank vintage, so the Merlot dominant appellations of St. Emilion and Pomerol will be highly sought after while Margaux and Haut-Medoc’s with high percentage of Merlot are also popular.

The pricing appears to be an increase of a few percent to 10%, thus a little more expensive than the giveaway pricing from last year, but still quite a bit cheaper than 2018. However, given that yields were down in general 20%, we are receiving less quantity than normal.

As usual, items offered will be sold on a first-come first served basis and in some cases maximums applied. In many cases we won’t be able to go back for more of something once it sells out and if we do, price will be second tranche (release) pricing.

If you would like to receive all the releases in the most timely manner, please subscribe to the 2020 Bordeaux Futures Offerings using this link –
https://secure.campaigner.com/CSB/Public/Form.aspx?fid=1842652&ac=cdw8

It is a two step confirmation, you will have to click the link sent to your email address. This ensures you get the offers as soon as we release them. Any unsold product will go on the main website two days after the initial offering. As usual, we’ll be updating each product with running counts of what’s left for sale as best we can. Subscribers can expect two offerings per week over 3 or 4 weeks beginning next week, the campaign will end early to mid June.

Check out all available wines here..

Return to devinewines.ca

Author: Dirk Chan

The Staatlicher Hofkeller winery is located in the city of Würzburg (Maindreieick area) in the German wine-growing region of Franconia. The winery is 1hr 15 min drive SE of Frankfurt. The traditional Staatlicher Hofkeller was founded as early as 1128, making it the oldest winery in Germany and for that matter, one of the world’s oldest wineries, period. It has been owned without interruption by the Free State of Bavaria since the 12th century.

With a vineyard area of ​​120 hectares , which are spread over a large area in Franconia, and an annual production of around 850,000 bottles, it is the third largest winery in Germany. The extensive and labyrinthine like cellar corridors of the former “Prince-Bishop’s Court Cellar” extend deep inside the Würzburg Residence. The Residenz, built in the baroque style between 1720 and 1744, became a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1981. The treasury is located in the cellar vaults. The oldest wine stored in this wine library is a vintage from 1874.

Our feature this week is the 2018 Staatlicher Hofkeller Wurzburg Silvaner Trocken – $21.49 (regularly $26.99), showcaing the Silvaner grape’s varietal characteristics of delicate fruity aromas, some white flowers, lovely minerality in a dry full-bodied style, finishing with terroir character of earthy tones and good acidity. Very good with rice pudding.

2018 Staatlicher Hofkeller Wurzburg Silvaner Trocken (Franken, Germany) – $21.49 (regularly $26.99)

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