deVine Thoughts

November 27, 2020

Introducing deVine’s Concierge Service

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 2:23 pm

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Author: Ed Fong

deVine Wines will begin offering our customers an exciting new and unique way to shop! With deVine Concierge Services, you can book a personalized shopping experience up to an hour long. At your appointment, you will have the undivided attention of one of our team members so that we can focus exclusively on your needs. Here is how it works!

Book your date and time
⦁ Concierge Services are offered between 10-11 AM and 6-7 PM. At that time, the store is closed to the general shopping public.
⦁ The length of your booking can be tailored to meet the level of your needs. If you’re looking for simple wine and food pairing advice, or help in picking out a few selections, a 15 minute appointment is perfect. If you need help in planning a more complex function, you have the option of reserving a longer appointment.
⦁ During your appointment, the only individuals who will be in the store will be Team Members preparing for the store opening or cashing out. There may be some time overlap if another customer is accessing the Concierge Services at the same time as you are. If this is the case, that customer will have their own Team Member assisting them.
⦁ You can book your date and time by sending a request via email to “info@devinewines.ca”

Understanding your needs
⦁ In order to better understand your needs in advance of your appointment, please fill out this online form and send it back to our team. With the information you provide, we can do some advance preparation to make the best use of your appointment time.
⦁ Based on your needs, we will pair you up with a staff member who has the best ability to meet them. If we cannot provide you with the answers to your question during your appointment, we will do so at the earliest possible time after!
⦁ Concierge Services allows you to shop with purpose and focus! We understand you are busy and that your time is valuable. We can help you check one off your “To Do List” by booking your appointment now.
⦁ We understand that during these uncertain times you may want to limit your interactions yet still seek the advice you need. We can help! Concierge Services is all about quick, professional, time efficient and impactful customer service.

Are there costs for booking my appointment?
⦁ deVine Concierge Services is free of charge. We want to make your shopping experience unique, personal and enjoyable!

You can download our online questionnaire here.. fill it and attach it to your email to us.

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Introducing Our Online Weekly Special Program

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 1:52 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Today, we are excited to introduce our Online Weekly Special program. We will reveal the wine selection on Fridays early afternoon. The feature will be available for online only ordering until the following Monday at noon while supplies last. The wines purchased during this period will be available for pickup or delivery on the following Wednesday afternoon.

You can purchase minimum one bottle or cases** as you wish. This program is strictly online and does not apply to store walk-ins. The selections will be based on high quality, true varietal representation and a great price point. Note this weekly selection is an online only promotion.

As the world comes to grips with the limitations from Covid, we will do free delivery for any purchase of $50 or more within Edmonton city limits.

Our first selection is the 2019 Bodegas Colome Amalaya Malbec (Calchaqui, Argentina) – Regular Price – $21.49, Sale Price – $17.00

**no other discount applicable.

Amalaya means “hope for a miracle” in Argentina’s native indigenous dialect. The wines are an exquisite representation of the unique weather and desert conditions in northwest Argentinas Cafayate Valley situated high – 200 miles from the border of Bolivia. The plantings are in high elevation (over 5000 feet above sea level), one of the highest around which allows for ripe grape-growing from the intense sun during the daytime and cool nights which results in concentrated fruit expression with bright acidity, a lingering mouthfeel and very fine balance.

Grapes are hand-harvested in small 30-pound boxes and hand-sorted at the winery. A four-day cold maceration adds colour, followed by an extended maceration in stainless steel tanks for three weeks. Secondary malolactic fermentation is allowed to occur in stainless steel prior to aging for 10 months, with 40% of the wine in once-used French oak barrels prior to fining and bottling. Fining occurs using egg whites from the farm at Amalaya.

This wine got huge scores from the Decanter Magazine, it is a sure-fire winner for everyday drinking with or without food. Also a great Christmas gift idea at over 20% off. Don’t miss it. Deadline for ordering is Monday at noon.

2019 Bodegas Colome Amalaya Malbec (Calchaqui, Argentina) – Regular Price – $21.49, Sale Price – $17.00

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November 24, 2020

Free Delivery Within Edmonton

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 10:40 am

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Author: Dirk Chan

Just a reminder that during COVID-19, deVine is offering free delivery within city limits with a minimum $50 purchase. We are delivering daily (except Sundays) so if you get your order in before noon, you will likely get it same day.

You can do on-line shopping as if you were in the store as our entire inventory is on our secured website.

We want to also inform everyone that our weekly order day is Mondays for Wednesday store arrival, so if we don’t have the quantities you want of something, there is time for us to order it in, as long as you let us know before noon on Monday, you will get it on Wednesday. Another bonus is you get a case discount on any purchase of 12 bottles of wine and/or spirits (excepting beer).

During this difficult time, we are as usual supporting the Edmonton Food Bank to provide food for those without. Please consider giving our driver an assortment of goods that we can put into our Edmonton Food Bank food box. For those who want to visit the store, there is a box at our till for cash donations. Please think of those in need during this difficult time.

To find out all we are doing around COVID-19, please click here…

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November 9, 2020

La Playa Vineyards

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 5:38 pm

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Special Guest Blogger: Denise Brisson of Cellar Stock Importers Inc.

When I first met Søren Axelsen the founder of Viῆa La Playa and CEO of Cab Corp, I was a sweating 26-year-old. I was sitting across what seemed an enormous desk and trying to present myself as a confident young wine importer that could represent his wines in Western Canada. With a twinkle in his eye, Søren slowly leaned forward and said “I will give you a chance but I only take orders that are a minimum one -container (1,000 cases) and you pay me in advance”. I left his office in the spring of 1996 and have been importing La Playa wines ever since.

The story of Viῆa La Playa is the story of Søren. In 1952, 20-year-old Søren Axelsen left his native Denmark bound for a job with a shipping company in New York City. Next, he lived in Chile for 2 years falling in love with the land, the people and the wine. Little did he realize that he was embarking on a 50-year journey that would see him build a dynamic wine company spread over 3 continents.

While back at home in 1956 he met and married Miss Denmark (literally) and the couple immigrated to the US. Søren worked in the beer business until the 1970’s, notably introducing Tuborg Beer to the American market. He entered the Monterey wine scene next, becoming one of their first commercial grape growers and their first grower to export grapes to Scandinavia. This is when the sales and marketing arm, Cab Corp, began.

Søren returned to Chile in the late 1980’s, as the political situation calmed down. He was one of the early foreign investors and the first to export Chilean bulk wine in Denmark starting in 1987. Søren and other foreign investors influenced the quality of Chilean wine from variable and cheap to world-class. By 1989, Viῆa La Playa was launched.

Sadly, we lost Søren in December 2016, leaving La Playa to his sons Peter and Eric. Personally, I will never forget his twinkle, unique giggle, his generosity, loyalty, his keen sense of business, integrity, and old-world grace that that never faltered from the first time I met him as that scared young woman.

Today, Viῆa La Playa is still family owned, estate grown & bottled, certified sustainable and vegan.

The La Playa varietal wines are straightforward, generously flavoured, and easy drinking. They are joined by their oak aged “Tinga Rio Reserve” level wines that are robust, smaller production and pair well with food.

Pictured above from left to right:

2019 La Playa Dry Rosé (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $15.99

2018 La Playa Tinga Rio Reserve Pinot Noir (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $21.99

Inset Photograph – Soren, Ingrid, Eric, Sjoukje, Tom & Denise

Other available La Playa wines:

2019 La Playa Chardonnay Un-Oaked (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $14.99

2016 La Playa Carmenere (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $15.99 – Note this is also featured in our November Case of the month

2020 La Playa Sauvignon Blanc (Curico, Chile) – $15.99

2018 La Playa Estate Series Merlot (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $15.99

2015 La Playa Tinga Merlot Reserve (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $21.99

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November 1, 2020

Book Giveaway with Your Next e-Order

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 11:41 am

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Author: Ed Fong

Get your free copy of “Maps, Markets and Matzo Ball Soup” – the inspiring life of local Chef Gail Hall with your next online e-order!

deVine Wines is proud to partner with Jon Hall, publisher of this book written by CBC Edmonton restaurant reviewer Twyla Campbell.

A free copy of this book will be enclosed with any e-order placed with deVine Wines beginning November 1, 2020. The book giveaway will continue while supplies last.

Each customer will be limited to one free copy of the book.

Please note that books cannot be shipped to a person placing a gift e-order.

Other restrictions may apply.

More about the book here – Maps, Markets and Matzo Ball Soup – The Inspiring Life of Chef Gail Hall by Twyla Campbell – $31.49

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October 23, 2020

The Rogue – Dead Guy Ale

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 11:55 am

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Author: Dirk Chan

Rogue was founded in 1988 in Ashland Oregon with a mission focused on farming and growing their own malt, cultivating proprietary yeast , generally being as self sufficient as possible.

Rogue Dead was one of the first flagship brews in the beginning stage of Craft beers. A German maibock with a generous dose of bitter hops. Toasty, malty, aromatic and bitter. Something unique in a time of American “lite” beers.

Fast forward to 2006, Rogue begins to distil their own spirits with the same premise in self sufficiency as the brewery resulted in their American whiskey that takes on notes of honey, grass, cereal and Smokey vanilla.

Rogue Dead guy ale is aged in previously filled Rogue Dead Guy whiskey barrels – it is a more intense , fuller , rounded beer, bringing more oak, vanilla and fruity notes to this malt focused beer. We have also brought in their Whiskey for your consideration as well.

Pictured above from left to right:

Rogue Dead ‘N’ Dead (Oregon, United States) – $19.99

Rogue Dead Guy (Oregon, United States) – $11.99

Rogue Dead Guy Ale (Oregon, United States) – $19.99

Rogue Dead Guy Whiskey (Oregon, United States) – $84.99

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October 19, 2020

Free Delivery Within Edmonton

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 1:55 pm

free_local_delivery_small
Author: Dirk Chan

Just a reminder that during COVID-19, deVine is offering free delivery within city limits with a minimum $50 purchase. We are delivering daily (except Sundays) so if you get your order in before noon, you will likely get it same day.

You can do on-line shopping as if you were in the store as our entire inventory is on our website.

We want to also inform everyone that our weekly order day is Mondays for Wednesday store arrival, so if you want a whole case of a specific wine, as long as you let us know before noon on Monday, you will get it on Wednesday. A bonus is you get a case discount on any purchase of 12 bottles of wine and/or spirits (excepting beer).

To find out all we are doing around COVID-19, please click here…

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October 13, 2020

The Arrival of the 2017 Bordeaux

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 3:45 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

The 2017 Bordeaux vintage was doomed for the reds even before any of the wines were bottled, coming after the much lauded 2015 and 2016’s, and with inclement weather (frosts in April, rain in September), and pricing that didn’t come down from those legendary vintages. However, there is fabulous 2017 white Bordeaux throughout – the cool days, dry weather and even cooler nights created exactly what was needed to produce bright, fresh, crisp, refreshing white wines with character, fine acid and style. And as the harvest took pace well before the September rains, the grapes were brought in under good conditions. deVine brought in several whites for the store even though we didn’t have a Futures campaign.

As for the reds, they are early drinkers predominantly (with the higher growths being excellent due to know-how and shorten crop yields) with lower alcohol, nice fruit and easy to consume while you wait on your 2009, 2010, 2015 & 2016’s. It certainly isn’t an investment vintage. We purchased a few mid-priced reds for the store. They are similar (and better) to the 2007’s, restaurant friendly style wines. There are excellent 20-30 year wines too, but only at the top end and for the prices being asked, not worth the buy as futures.

First, those pictured above from left to right (these we have good stock on):

2017 Château Reynon Blanc (Bordeaux, France) – $31.99

2017 Château Rahoul Blanc (Bordeaux – Pessac-Leognan, France) – $39.99

2017 Château La Garde Blanc (Bordeaux – Pessac-Leognan, France) – $53.99

2017 Château Belgrave (Bordeaux – Haut-Medoc, France) – $71.99

2017 Château Le Boscq (Bordeaux – St. Estephe, France) – $61.99

Here are all the other available 2017’s:

2017 Château Reynon Rouge (Bordeaux, France) – $34.99

2017 Château Marsau (Bordeaux – Cotes de Francs, France) – $41.99

2017 Château Clement Pichon (Bordeaux – Haut-Medoc, France) – $48.99

2017 Château La Garde Rouge (Bordeaux – Pessac-Leognan, France) – $51.99

2017 Château Ormes de Pez (Bordeaux – St. Estephe, France) – $69.99

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September 28, 2020

Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Wine Recommendations

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 2:58 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Wow…Thanksgiving week is fast upon us, where did September go? So here is our annual picks to accompany the classic turkey and/or ham dinner with all its fixings. Start your evening off with a sparkling wine, followed by whites, reds, a dessert wine and perhaps a port to end.

Sparkling Wines

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

NV La Jara Brut Prosecco (Veneto, Italy) – $18.99


NV Varichon & Clerc Privilege Rose Dry (Burgundy, France) – $21.99


2016 Selbach-Oster Riesling Sekt Brut (Mosel, Germany) – $41.99

Champagne

Now if you serve Champagne, your audience will immediately know you’re here to do some serious partaking and celebrating.

NV Gremillet Brut Rosé Saignee (Champagne, France) – $64.99


2013 Champagne Lancelot Pienne Brut Accord Majeur (Champagne, France) – $74.99


NV Champagne Agrapart Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Terroirs (Champagne, France) – $129.99


2004 Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $359.99

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), sweet Chenin Blancs or other Germanic or Alsace varietals. Having said that, some will always go with a dry creamy Chardonnay irregardless and that’s perfectly fine. Also, don’t forget that rosés work really well too!

2019 Dubard Château Laulerie Viognier (Bergerac, France) – $22.99


2017 Casa de Mouraz Branco (Dao, Portugal) – $24.99


2018 Fattoria Le Pupille Poggio Argentato (Maremma, Italy) – $29.49


2018 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Turckheim (Alsace, France) – $36.99


2019 Domaine Delaporte Sancerre Chavignol (Loire Valley, France) – $39.99


2017 Domaine Latour-Giraud Meursault Premier Cru Les Charmes (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $109.99


2018 Agricola Tiberio Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo (Abruzzi, Italy) – $28.99


2019 Domaine la Navarre Sacrifice (Provence, France) – $23.99
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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.

2017 Edoardo Miroglio Soli Pinot Noir (Bulgaria) – $21.99


2017 Pascal Aufranc Chenas (Beaujolais, France) – $26.99


2016 Spier Creative Block 5 (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $31.99


2017 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir (Oregon – Willamette Valley, United States) – $47.99


2008 Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva (Rioja, Spain)- $56.99


2017 Envy Wines Calistoga Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (California – Napa Valley, United States) – $69.99


2012 Cortes de Cima Incógnito (Alentejo, Portugal) – $74.99


2011 Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $89.99


2015 Prieler Blaufrankisch Goldberg (Austria) – $99.99


2011 Elio Altare Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) – $117.99


2009 Quinta do Portal Auru (Douro, Portugal) – $159.99


2011 Castello dei Rampolla Vigna d’Alceo (Tuscany, Italy)- $219.99

2009 Louis Jadot Echézeaux Grand Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Nuits, France) – $279.99

Dessert

Sweet dessert wines and Port are always good for the final touches of a meal:

2015 Chateau d’Armajan des Ormes (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 375mL – $29.99


2007 Il Poggione Sant’Antimo Vin Santo Riserva (Tuscany, Italy) – 500mL – $52.99


1988 Château Rieussec (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 750mL – $244.99


2008 Fonseca Quinta do Panascal Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $74.99


2000 Porto Quevedo Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $69.99


1965 Krohn Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $309.99


Note our regular store hours are in affect this long weekend, except holiday monday when we’re open from noon-5pm.

Happy Thanksgiving ev eryone!

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September 21, 2020

Pre-Selling DuBoeuf Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2020

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 10:35 am

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Author: Dirk Chan

Every year on the third Thursday of November- on the 19th this year, the famous Beaujolais Nouveau is released with great fanfare to the world. Freshly made, the tradition and hype lead to much merry-making with fireworks and numerous parties where the wine is the star.

This year, we’re skipping the usual painted bottle, and bringing in the Flower version of the same George Duboeuf Beaujolais Villages – $24.99, a wine we feel offers the best quality. You can now pre-buy in advance to secure what you require. Wines will be available at the store early afternoon on Thursday, Nov 19th.

What is Beaujolais Nouveau? It’s a light, fruity red made from the Gamay grape. Strawberry, raspberry, cotton candy and banana on the nose with a light fruity palate and literally no tannins. Serve this slightly chilled. How is Beaujolais Nouveau made – well the grapes are harvested by hand but do not go thru the typical fermentation process. Rather, they go throug a carbonic maceration – instead of crushing the grapes and allowing the juice to ferment, carbonic maceration allows the whole grapes to ferment. The grapes are put into a vessel and the weight of the grapes will crush some of the bottom grapes which begin to ferment. The remainder of the juice still inside the uncrushed grapes will also ferment. The wine is pasteurized to prevent secondary malolactic fermentation. The whole process can be accomplished in about six weeks. This type of fermentation can produce a drinkable wine more quickly.

Beaujolais Nouveau is meant for current drinking, capturing its freshness and fruitiness, it is not meant for aging at all. So go ahead, place your order, and be comfortable in the knowlege you can send out invities to your Beaujolais Nouveau party and your wines will be there for your event! Quantities are limited and on a first come first serve basis.

2020 Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau (Beaujolais, France) – $24.99

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