deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Unlike a few years ago, Francois Mikulski is now a household name in the Burgundy world. He has been harnessing a cultish following for those in the know and his wines are increasingly sought after nowadays.

With a Polish name and no family tradition to keep in mind François Mikulski and his wife Marie-Pierre were free to create something completely new when they founded Domaine Mikulski in 1992. The most obvious result was the minimalist labels for the bottles, far from the traditional burgundian label.

Inheriting his first plots of Meursault in 1992 from his late uncle, Pierre Boillot, Francois has since relentlessly pursued excellence through minute attention to biological balance in the vineyard and terroir minded élevage practices in his cellar. Not too much new oak is used – about 20% leaving the fruit to express itself and the terroir.

So much attention in Meursault is paid to Roulot, Coche-Dury and Lafon – all great but availability is almost non-existent in our neck of the woods due to availability and price point. We feel the quality found in Mikulski’s wines are beginning to challenge the superstars of Meursault, but yet his prices are still fairly attractive in the context of those other producers. His wines are laser-beams, extreme conduits of their unique terroirs, and a real thrill to drink and enjoy. It is all about authenticity, elegance and purity.

Note there were literally a few six packs that come into Alberta so get a bottle or two while we still have some.

Pictured left to right:

2020 Francois Mikulski Saint-Aubin (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $94.99

2020 Francois Mikulski Meursault (Meursault, France) – $124.99

2020 Francois Mikulski Bourgogne Cote d’Or Pinot Noir (Burgundy, France) – $59.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Emotivo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Abruzzi, Italy) – $12.99, regularly $16.99. For the last couple of years, this has been a deVine Bestseller for its quality price ratio.

Winemaker Alessandro Botter, Casa Vinicola Botter Carlo did a special selection of 100% Montepulciano grapes from Abruzzi (east-central Italy), then crushed with the must is left on the skins for 4-8 days in order to extract the perfect colour. The must is then placed in special vats where fermentation is completed in 8-10 days at 25-30°C resulting in a fresh, juicy light red wine.

Approachable and supple with fruity flavours of black cherry and spice with earthy hints. On the palate – soft, light, ripe fruit flavours, with hints of cherries ending with delicious acidity. Sees no oak. Try this wine with charcuterie & cheeses or a gnocchi in a tomato-cream sauce. Amazing value here!

Emotivo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Abruzzi, Italy) – $12.99 (regularly $16.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our feature of the week is the 2021 Medici Concerto Lambrusco (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) – $23.99, regularly $28.49.

Lambrusco, the frizzante (slightly spritzy) red wine from northern Italy in Emilia-Romagna (1/2 hour drive NW of Bologna), has become extremely popular in the last little while. Driven by its pleasurable appeal and great PR, this fresh, fruity bubbly wine that’s low in alcohol, with an fine reputation for the new generation of Millennials and Generation X drinkers find it quite chic to order a glass when going out. Sommeliers in prominent Michelin restaurants and wine writers alike have been pitching Lambrusco over the last few years. Look for hip labels, designed to appeal to the younger crowd. Most are dry, with the cheapest ones being sweet.

Most people think of Lambrusco as a single grape. Yet it is a family of grapes – that said, the aroma and taste of Lambrusco is quite distinctive and fruity with violets and plummy notes – they should be drank young and chilled.

Intensely brilliant ruby red in color with fresh red berries, strawberries, raspberries and cherries on the nose. Dry and fruity, round on the palate. Very clean with perfect balance that would be a perfect pairing with a 4 meat pizza or some charcuterie and aged cheeses!

2021 Medici Concerto Lambrusco (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) – $23.99 (regularly $28.49)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the Parras Wines 370 Leguas Tinto (Douro, Portugal) – $15.99, regularly $19.99.

370 Léguas refers to the demarcation line of the Treaty of Tordesillas that the Portuguese navigators who in 1494 signed a treaty with the Spanish crown leading to the rising of the Portuguese empire. This wine pays homage to this historical fact and is made with 3 indigenous Portuguese grapes (Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz) harvested on the best slopes in the region

Parras Wines, founded by Luís Vieira in 2010 to integrate its businesses in the areas of viticulture, wine production, bottling and wine commercialization, was citred by the distinguished Revista de Vinhos, one of the leading magazines in Portugal, as Company of the Year, within “The Best of the Year 2020” awards. With 170 employees, and a turnover of close to 26.5 million euros in 2020, with 50% of the estates’ wines exported to Brazil, China, United States, Canada and England, among others.

Winemaker Carlos Eduardo ferments the grapes in stainless steel vats. This ruby colored wine, with aromas of very ripe red fruits like blackberry and dark cherries and soft tannins reveal good ripeness of the grapes, balanced acidity with touches of vanilla, oak and dark chocolate in the mix, finishing with cigar box notes, some dense tannins and a strong, tight texture. Try with roasted red meats.

Parras Wines 370 Leguas (Douro, Portugal) – $15.99, regularly $19.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

For a change, the 2021 Bordeaux Futures Campaign is going to feature the Whites and the sweet dessert wines of Sauternes and Barsac. Its not often the whites get top billing but after a trio of great vintages for the reds in 2018, 2019 and 2020, the 2021’s was a trying vintage which has produced old-fashioned reds on the lighter (yet elegant) side with alcohol level’s in the 12-12.5% range instead of 14+ range that will drink relatively early while the great vintages sit.

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. The wines when released in-bottle will be 10-15% higher so you get a price break.

All wines have now been offered so it is time to make some purchasing decisions. The campaign ends at midnight, June 30th.

Here is what’s still available for your consideration..

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the 2018 Viña Santa Ema Reserva Syrah (Leyda Valley, Chile) – $18.49, regularly $23.99.

The Viña Santa Ema vineyards located in the Leyda area are 10 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean. Its a coastal cool-climate vineyard with a maximum temperatures of 24-25 degrees in summer, but with lots of wind and sun that allows to obtain wines with great aromatic expression, with high acidity and a great presence of ripe fresh fruit without greenish touches.

The ripening of the berries here is slow, resulting in a vibrant, mineral white wines alongside complex and aromatic reds. From this vineyard Viña Santa Ema extracts the grapes for this Reserva Syrah, which represents the best of tradition and modernity in wines of great complexity and elegance. A fine wine here that is based on tradition, terroir and consistency.

Santa Ema Gran Reserva Syrah has a deep ruby ​​red color with violet hints. Its aromas are very quite expressive and vibrant with notes of blackberries and sour cherries intermingled with notes of spices, pepper, black olives and flowers. Its palate is balanced, with very good concentration and stellar volume on the palate with a long and juicy fruity finish. Ideal for pairing with spicy stews, charcuterie, game meats and mature cheeses.

2018 Viña Santa Ema Reserva Syrah (Leyda Valley, Chile) – $18.49, regularly $23.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

June is Pride Month and for our weekly online special, we offer the NV True Colors Brut Cava – $22.99 on special for $19.99.

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Guest Blogger – MacEwan Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity

They’re back!

MacEwan’s Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity (CSGD) and deVine’s Wines and Spirits are once again excited to bring you our Pride Party Packs to help celebrate Pride Month!

Filled with goodies donated by local LGBTQ2+ supportive businesses, each Pride Party Pack contains all the essentials for hosting your very own pride party. Whether alone or with friends, a CSGD Pride Party Pack is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and some pep in your step!

There are 2 package selections to choose from: Boozy and Fizzy. Both are filled to the brim with an amazing assortment of items, with the Boozy kits being only for the grown-ups! All proceeds from the sale of the Pride Party Packs will be donated in support of CSGD.

Last year’s kits sold out quickly, so be sure to order yours soon. Due to the popularity of last year’s kits, we have increased the number available to purchase. We have a limited supply of 100 Boozy packs and 50 Fizzy packs.

Pride@Home packages are $63.00 each inclusive of GST. There are no substitutions of package content.

Where to buy:

• Both Fizzy and Boozy packs are available in store at deVine Wines and Spirits.
• Fizzy packs are available in store at the MacEwan Bookstore (https://www.macewanbookstore.com/) located in Building 6 at the MacEwan University campus.
• Order both Fizzy and Boozy online at devinewines.ca for pick-up at CSGD.

• Pick-up is available either from CSGD in Roundhouse or curb-side pick-up is available at the main doors of Allard Hall (north side of building) at MacEwan University. Please email csgd@macewan.ca to schedule your pick-up.

Want to double up the sparkling cava, or add more beer? You may add additional items from deVines upon check out! Please note: the Pride Party Packs are only available for pick up at MacEwan University.

Interested in becoming a monthly donor to the Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity? Find out how HERE.

We are extremely grateful to our most generous donors and supporters, including deVine’s Wines & Spirits, Blush Lane Organic Market, New Level Brewing, AlleyKat Brewery, Meuwly’s Artisan Food Market, Sweet Sugar Bake Shoppe, Get Cooking, IKEA Edmonton, Salisbury Greenhouse, Pride Tape, Edmonton Riverhawks, Oilers Entertainment Group, MacEwan University Centre for Sport and Wellness, MacEwan University Bookstore,  Flag Shop Edmonton, ATB Financial, Edmonton Queer History Project, Edmonton Downtown Business Association, and many more!

Please note: There may be some minor variation in package contents due to the quantity and nature of donated items including different flavours of the treats and beverages available.

2022 Pride Boozy Pack – $63.00

2022 Pride Fizzy Pack – $63.00

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Author: Dirk Chan

For a change, the 2021 Bordeaux Futures Campaign is going to feature the Whites and the sweet dessert wines of Sauternes and Barsac. Its not often the whites get top billing but after a trio of great vintages for the reds in 2018, 2019 and 2020, the 2021’s was a trying vintage which has produced old-fashioned reds on the lighter (yet elegant) side with alcohol level’s in the 12-12.5% range instead of 14+ range. We will focus on some quality Petit Chateaux, Cru Bourgeois and a few well-priced Classified Growths for short-term cellaring and early drinking while the great vintages sit in your cellar.

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. The wines when released in-bottle will be 10-15% higher so you get a price break.

2021 was ravaged by mildew, a less than satisfactory growing season, cruel frost in April (meaning volumes were well down pretty much across the board) and selection had to be severe. The reds in 2021 is far different than those made in 2018, 2019 and 2020, when alcohols as high as 15% were commonplace. The 2021 reds are in the 12 to 13% alcohol range, made in an old-fashion way that reminds of 1985 or 1988, a balanced not over the top style from a bygone era. Plenty of acidic freshness in the aromatic reds but they will drink nicely relatively early in a medium-bodied style than the bigger style we’ve become used to in the last decade. No clear winner on left or right bank, variability is high and depends on the Chateau. This is a vintage to buy and enjoy early while the great vintages age in your cellars.

Alas, the real revelation in 2021 is an absolutely brilliant vintage for white bordeaux, both dry or sweet where high acid is a good thing! The dry whites, all picked before late September’s heavy rain, are both aromatic and full of fruit and zesty freshness without the flab of riper years.

And the sweet wines are truly great, despite extremely small quantities and in some cases a miniscule percentage of a normal harvest. Climens, one of our favourites made ‘not an ounce’ of sweet wine, and Suduiraut had both spring frost and summer hail. Those that were spared made very fine dessert wines and we’ll certainly attempt to get our hands on what small quantities that are available.

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.

4 offerings has passed with only one more to come, with the campaign ending by the end of June, so its time to make some purchasing decisions if you haven’t done so.

Here is what’s still available for your consideration..

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the 2018 Yalumba Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Sanctum (Coonawarra, Australia) – $18.99 (regularly $23.49).

Established in 1849, Yalumba is Australia’s most historic family owned wine company. It remains fiercely independent and extremely progressive through the generational ownership by the Hill-Smith family.

Yalumba’s longevity and continued success is a result of their dedication, patience, collaboration and progressive thinking. They embrace minimalist approach to utilizing the natural terroir to craft wines with individual character and a sense of purpose, a spirit to reinvest in the land that it grows upon. It is committed to sharing stories of provenance and history gathered over more than 168 years of history of family winemaking.

At the inner ‘sanctum’of Coonawarra, on the prized terra rossa soil, lies Yalumba’s Coonawarra estate, The Menzies Vineyard. This valuable patch of land is the holy grail of all Cabernet purists with soil vivid red in colour, it is perfect for growing exceptional full-bodied red wines.

Deep crimson in colour with a magenta hue. Rich, opulent, aromas of blueberry and chocolate with notes of sweet fruit, vanilla and spice. The palate displays ripe, rich fruits; blackcurrant and blueberry, with a lovely umami presence.

2018 Yalumba Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Sanctum (Coonawarra, Australia) – $18.99, regularly $23.49

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