Author – Dirk Chan
The 2018 Beau’s Mix Pack winter selection covers all your flavour needs with the original Lug-Tread, Double Identity IPA, Osmium Wee Heavy, and the perennial favourite, E.S.B. Farm Table Series. Perfect for sharing during the winter months, this will be well received by any craft beer aficionado.
All the beers are made with certified organic grains and hops and local spring water. Limited availability.
Author: Ed Fong
After the price of West Texas Intermediate Crude (WTI) oil cratered in the summer of 2014 from a high of $107.04 US/barrel to a low of $26.55 US/barrel on Jan 20, 2016, many of us in Alberta have endured a long period of pain and hardship. Businesses like us, in the discretionary retail sector, did not escape the carnage of an economy so reliant on a single commodity. In these tough economic times, the partners believe that it is even more important now to help others if we can. With this backdrop in mind, deVine Wines is pleased to announce its support for Edmonton’s Food Bank.
You can learn more about Edmonton’s Food Bank here..
During difficult economic times, funding for the arts is often the first to be cut. We at deVine Wines believes that art, in its many forms, is worthy of support, nurturing and creation, at all points of a business cycle. Therefore, we have chosen to support the Neon Sign Museum as our second Charity of Choice and to launch a new program called Walls Alive. Our goal in supporting the Neon Sign Museum is to raise money to recreate one of Edmonton’s lost iconic neon signs, that of the Seven Seas Restaurant.
You can learn more about the Neon Sign Museum here..
You can view the lost Seven Seas neon sign here in black and white..
A colorized version can be found here..
Walls Alive
Charitable works does not always revolve around raising funds for recipient organizations or groups. At times, groups may simply need support from the community to showcase their works. This is certainly the case for many aspiring visual artists.
Walls Alive is a proposed initiative where businesses can donate their wall space to a visual artist to showcase his or her works. In essence, the business is supplying a venue for the artist to display art and providing an opportunity to connect artist with patron.
deVine Wines has donated wall space to many artist since our doors first opened in 2004. The Walls Alive program aims to knit together other businesses on 104th-Street that share a likeminded view of helping out visual artist. The partners at deVine Wines plan to reach out to their neighbors on 104th-St. to see if a cohesive visual arts display program can be developed for the street. Hopefully, this initiative will lead to an “Art Walk” type event found in many other neighborhoods in the city.
Our first Walls Alive partnership has just been established. deVine Wines will showcase the works of visual artist Nosheen Pervez on its walls and at future upcoming events. Nosheen will be on hand during the November 3, 2018 Great Whiskies of the World Fundraiser and Art Show. As well, Nosheen will donate a piece of her work to the online silent auction in support of Edmonton’s Food Bank. Please visit Nosheen’s website here to view her portfolio and get more information about her inspirations.
Author: Dirk Chan
Do you ever wonder if classical music changes our perception of wine? Hogwash you say, but try asking several winemakers around the world, who play classical music in surround sound speakers while their wines are fermenting or over open fields. Or that of Italian winemaker Giancarlo Cignozzi of Il Paradiso di Frassina in Montalcino, who serenades his Sangiovese grapes with the music of Mozart…I find I have classics on all the time when I entertain, so perhaps the effect is all subliminal?
In this our second annual “Classic”al Pairings event, we’ll be tasting seven wines which we think match up with music themes or compositions authored by seven different classical music composers. What are the connections and tie-in’s between what you’re drinking and what you’re hearing and the composer? Well, you’ll have to attend to find out, but it will be a smorgasbord for your senses – it’s an evening out for your nose, mouth, heart, brain and ears…Only 34 spots available for this sit-down event.
While we sample the wines, we’ll listen to short under ten minute pieces from the following composers (no repeats from last year): Bach, Rachmaninov, Respighi, Stravinsky, de Sarasate, Lauridsen and Bartok. This tasting is a must for all wine enthusiasts and/or classical music lovers out there! Book early to avoid disappointment, this sold out ‘presto’ quick last year, we had to turn them away..(pardon all the musical puns)
More information and to register for the tasting, click here….
Author: Dirk Chan
Valentines is next Wednesday, so here are a few recommendations to treat your loved one for this special occasion. Included are some rec’s for pink bubbles, some craft beer, chocolate and some aptly named love related wines. Much more options are available, just drop in the store this weekend for personal assistance.
Pictured left to right:
2013 d’Arenberg The Love Grass Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia) – $27.99
2014 Bodegas Sierra Norte Pasion de Bobal (Valencia, Spain) – $18.49
Het Anker Gouden Carolus Indulgence (Belgium) – $34.99
The Bruery Share This Mint Chip Imperial Stout (California, United States) – $23.49
Rose Champagne/Sparkling Wine:
NV Domaine Rosier Cuvee Ma Maison Rose Cremant de Limoux (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $22.99
NV Rolet Crémant du Jura Brut Rosé (Jura, France) – $28.99
NV A. Margaine Rosé Premier Cru (Champagne, France) – $59.99
2008 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Vintage Rosé (Champagne, France)
– $109.99
Special Whites:
2016 Aia Vecchia Vermentino Toscana (Tuscany, Italy) – $21.49
1994 Weingut Moselschild Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese (Mosel, Germany) – $36.99
2014 Domaine Weinbach Cuvée Ste. Catherine Pinot Gris (Alsace, France) – $79.99
Special Reds:
2014 Lorgeril Chateau de Pennautier (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $25.99
2015 Bodegas Colome Estate Malbec (Salta, Argentina) – $29.99
2014 Ridge Three Valleys Zinfandel (California – Sonoma, United States) – $44.99
2005 Château La Providence (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France)
– $299.99
For Chocolates:
2011 Porto Quevedo Late Bottled Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $33.99
Graham’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $46.99
2014 Donnafugata Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria (Sicily, Italy) – 375mL – $47.99
1999 Quinta do Portal Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $64.99
Happy Valentines!
Author: Dirk Chan
Great Bordeaux in the Magnum (1.5L) format are very hard to come by, you practically have to buy them as Futures. We are featuring five magnums that we have held back and now offering them for sale. All hail from great vintages such as 2005 (which is approaching maturity), as well as 2009 and 2010, two other great vintages. Impress your guests with a big bottle Bordeaux!! Very limited availability.
Pictured left to right:
2005 Château Lagrange (Bordeaux – St. Julien, France) – 1.5L – $309.99
2005 Château Smith Haut Lafitte (Bordeaux – Pessac-Leognan, France) – 1.5L – $599.99
2009 Château Cantemerle (Bordeaux – Haut-Medoc, France) – 1.5L – $174.99
2009 Château Haut Bailly (Bordeaux – Pessac-Leognan, France) – 1.5L – $699.99
2010 Château Haut-Bergey (Bordeaux – Pessac-Leognan, France) – 1.5L – $164.99
Author: Dirk Chan
There are some wine made from more obscure grapes (obscure in the sense they are not a household name), so we thought we’d taste some of the little known grape varietals from around the world in this stand-up event entitled Obscure Varietals. Obscure for our region, a lot of these are actually quite common in their points of origin. We’ll sample some wines made from Baga, Refosco, Negrette, Blaufrankisch grapes and more. Maybe you’ll discover a new favourite.
Author: Dirk Chan
Have you ever had an alcoholic drink that tastes just like fresh juice? Well, you must try these Japanese based Nakano Fruit Sakes. The various fruit flavors are so intense that defies description, yet the 7% alcohol sneaks up on you. Pictured left to right are pear, mandarin orange, peach and a citrus blend. They’re tart and not overly sweet, but oh the fruit is like eating off the tree freshly picked. Enjoy these chilled, but watch it, or you’ll be inebriated when you down the whole bottle or two..
Nakano Nashi Pear (Japan) – 300mL – $22.99
Nakano Mikan No Osake Mandarin Orange (Japan) – 300mL – $22.99
Nakano Peach Momo (Japan) – 300mL – $22.99
Nakano Nakano Obaachan’s Yuzu-Shu Citrus (Japan) – 300mL – $22.99
Author: Dirk Chan
Nothing like enjoying port on a cold winter night. The pride of Portugal, join us on Saturday, January 27 at 7pm, as we sample two flights of port – one Ruby, one Tawny. We will explore many types of port wines, from Late Bottled Vintage, Single Quinta Vintage Ports and Vintage Ports – we will include a recently released 2015 Single Quinta Vintage port in this sit-down event. The Tawnies will include a 20 and 30 Year Old and the single vintage Colheita as well.
Always popular as an after dinner drink, port is just wonderful to sip on in front of the fireplace. Gift this to a port lover, or a port beginner wanting to learn and experience something special. .
Author: Dirk Chan
Robert Burns (also known as Rabbie Burns) was a famous Scottish poet and lyricist who is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland. There’s a national Scottish holiday named after him. Many a scotch tasting will happen around the world.
This year, we’re doing a Rabbie Burns Goes Travelling whisky tasting, sampling whiskies from around the world. The whisky world landscape has changed over the years, gone are the days when we only think of Scotch as the only game in town. As witnessed by recent ‘Whiskies of the Year’ declarations, winners are now coming from everywhere in the world. Join us for this stand-up event, where we’ll taste whiskies from Japan, India, Taiwan, Ireland, USA, Canada and of course Scotland. Perhaps you can convince Kaitlyn to recite some poetry at the end of the night..
Author: Dirk Chan
Every wine producing region seems to produce a Chardonnay these days it seems. Some are good and some can be pretty insipid. I look for the requisite pineapple, tropical fruits, guava, mangoes and some lemon notes. But more than that, I look for balance and terroir (go to France for this). Alas, some prefer creamy butter (then look to the US). There is a reason why Chards are popular, they’re easy to enjoy and easy to pronounce off a menu.
With so many styles, it is best to tell us what your preferred style is and we’ll be happy to pick one out for you in whatever price point you need. Pair with grilled chicken, hearty fish or a vegetarian lasagna.
In the meantime, here are a few good ones: (first, pictured left to right):
2016 d’Arenberg The Olive Grove Chardonnay (McLaren Vale, Australia) – $20.99
2014 Glen Carlou Quartz Stone Chardonnay (Paarl, South Africa) – $36.99
2016 Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay (California – Napa Valley, United States) – $58.99
2013 Etienne Sauzet Puligny Montrachet (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $119.99
Other suggestions:
2015 Elderton Unwooded Chardonnay (South Australia) – $18.99
2011 Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve Chardonnay (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $24.99
2015 Château de Fuisse Saint-Veran (Burgundy – Maconnais, France) – $31.99
2015 Planeta Chardonnay (Sicily, Italy) – $47.99
2014 William Fevre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros Cote Bouguerots (Chablis, France) – $139.99
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