deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Wow…Thanksgiving week is upon us, 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 this year add a little meditation course for Amaro or Port.

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.

2013 Domaine Rosier Cuvee Ma Maison Cremant de Limoux (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $21.99

NV Cantina Colli del Soligo Prosecco Solicum (Veneto, Italy) – $24.99

NV Domaine du Closel Chateau des Vaults Brut Sauvage (Loire Valley, France) – $59.99

Champagne

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

NV Gremillet Brut Selection (Champagne, France) – $49.99

NV Nicolas Maillart Brut Rosé Grand Cru (Champagne, France) – $71.99

NV Champagne Jacquesson Cuvee 739 Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $79.99

2002 Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $349.99

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 irregardless and that’s perfectly fine. Also, don’t forget that rosés work really well too!

2015 Spier Signature Chenin Blanc (Western Cape, South Africa) – $15.49

2015 Hillside Estate Unoaked Pinot Gris (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $23.99

2001 Querbach Library Release Edition Riesling (Rheingau, Germany) – $27.99

2014 Emrich-Schonleber Riesling Trocken (Nahe, Germany) – $34.99

2014 Planeta Chardonnay (Sicily, Italy) – $47.99

2012 Domaine Marc Morey Puligny-Montrachet Les Referts Premier Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $129.99

2015 Chateau Mourges du Gres Galets Rosé (Rhone Valley, France) – $21.49

2015 Il Feuduccio Cerasuolo Rosé (Abruzzi, Italy) – $23.99

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.

2014 Dominique Piron Chiroubles (Beaujolais, France) – $25.99

2013 Jean-Paul Brun Morgon TD (Beaujolais, France) – $29.99

2014 Spinning Top Pinot Noir (Marlborough, New Zealand) – $21.99

2010 Julius Klein Rotwein Trocken St. Laurent (Austria) – $23.99

2012 Glen Carlou Classic Pinot Noir (Paarl, South Africa) – $26.99

2014 Trisaetum Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon) – $44.99

1985 Caves Sao Joao Porta dos Cavaleiros Reserva (Dao, Portugal) – $49.99

2007 Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval Vineyard (Columbia Valley, Washington) – $74.99

2006 d’Arenberg Ironstone Pressings Museum Release Grenache-Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia) – $79.99

2004 Domaine d’Ardhuy Cortons Haut Murrottes Grand Cru (Cote-de Beaune, Burgundy) – $124.99

2001 Betts & Scholl Hermitage (Rhone Valley, France) – $139.99

2008 Tenuta di Biserno Biserno (Bibbona, Italy) – $174.99

2005 Château La Gaffeliere (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $249.99

Dessert

As for dessert, i would recommend a Pedro Ximenez from Spain for that Pecan pie pairing. Others listed below would pair well for fruit based desserts.

Lustau Pedro Ximinez San Emilio Solera (Jerez, Spain) – $25.99

NV Torres Floralis Moscatel – 375mL (Penedes, Spain) – $20.99

2005 Isole e Olena Vin Santo – 375mL (Tuscany, Italy) – $69.99

2010 Hexamer Meddersheimer Altenberg Riesling Eiswein – 375mL (Nahe, Germany) – $89.99

Port & Amaro (Post Dinner)

Port is always good for the final touches of a meal, but the digestif Amaro from Italy is on fire.

Braulio Amaro Alpino (Italy) – $34.99

Nonino Amaro (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy) – $47.99

Ferrochina Amaro Baliva (Italy) – $61.99

1966 Messias Colheita Port (Douro, Portugal) – $144.99

2003 Quinta do Portal Vintage Port – 375mL (Douro, Portugal) – $34.99

Graham’s 20 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $74.99

1987 Niepoort Vintage Port – $169.99

Finally, if you are pressed for time, try out our October Mixed Case – $222.49 where a lot of the wines would pair well with Thanksgiving dinner.

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

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Author: Dirk Chan

Porto’s Real Companhia Velha, established in 1756, is releasing a historic Very Old Tawny Port, predominantly 1867 wine that has been refreshed with 7% of 1900 wine. This is a rare opportunity to taste a bit of history here from something so very old. Imagine experiencing something that dates from 1867, just by mere coincidence the year of Canada’s Confederation. We are taking pre-orders only for this wonderfully packaged, ultra-rare and limited production (one barrel only) tawny – $3999.99/bottle.

The story of this Port travels back to the harvest of 1867 at Quinta das Carvalhas, one of the most prominent properties in the Douro Valley, which is highly known for the beauty of its landscape and its spectacular vineyards.

This Port unveils as a true memory of the 19th Century, preserved in time with meticulous care and an almost religious devotion. Kept at first in the cellars of the renowned company Miguel Sousa Guedes, it was later, during the 20th Century with the incorporation of this firm, left in the hands of successive generations of cellar masters at Real Companhia Velha.

It followed a long and patient aging period at the Company’s Centenary cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, remaining in the original barrel of old oak until reaching a stage of perfection revealed by a sumptuous bouquet and an exceptional palate.

The deadline for pre-ordering is Saturday, October 1st. The port wll be air-freighted here before Christmas.

1867 Real Companhia Velha Very Old Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $3999.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

We have been expanding our Spanish section in the last little while with new wines from all regions. Spain’s long standing champ from Rioja is still going strong, but when we talk of a bargain Spanish wines, the lesser regions of Jumilla, La Mancha and Castilla y Leon are gaining steam. Definitely the wines here are cheaper and better value than Rioja.

Jumilla – This historic area in southeastern Spain near Murcia, has staked out its claim with the production of red wines with wines of fine color and smooth palate usually made from the Monastrell (Mourvedre) grape. Getting very popular, its aromatic nose is beguiling and you can drink the wines young with food.

Castilla y Leon – Situated in northwestern Spain, Castilla y Léon is known for its traditional beauty, plentiful fortifications, and historical importance. It accounts for about one-fifth of the country’s total surface area and stretches roughly 220 miles (355km) from the centre of Spain almost all the way to the north coast. Equally wide, it connects its famous neighbor Rioja with the border of Portugal. It encompasses Ribera del Duero, Toro, Rueda and Bierzo regions.

La Mancha – a natural and historical region located on an arid but fertile soil of central Spain, south of Madrid, from the mountains of Toledo to the western hills of Cuenca. The terrain has reddish-brown sandy clay soil that are poor in organic material, and rich in lime and chalk. Tempranillo and Garnacha are the common grapes grown.

Here are the links to these three gems from these three regions that has caught our eye (pictured left to right):

1) 2014 Hijos de Juan Honoro Vera Organic Monastrell (Jumilla, Spain) – $19.99

2) 2012 Bodegas Triton Entresuelos (Castilla y Leon, Spain) – $21.99

3) 2010 Pago Calzadilla Opta (La Mancha, Spain) – $26.99

There are many more great values in our Spanish section, drop by to check them out, or else shop online. Salute!

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Author: Dirk Chan

The Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. Ltd. is a producer of Japanese whisky and other beverages headquartered in Tokyo. Founded in 1918, Nikka has risen to become Japan’s second largest distiller, producing a wide range of single malts as well as their impressive blended whisky range. The founder, Masataka Taketsuru, travelled to Scotland in 1918 to learn the process of distilling Scotch whisky first hand. Nikka also owns the Ben Nevis Distillery (acquired in 1989) in Scotland.

The company operates a number of distilleries and other facilities in Japan, including two Japanese whisky distilleries, the Yoichi distillery in Yoichi, Hokkaidō (established in 1934) – produces rich, peaty and masculine malts while the Miyagikyo distillery in Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Northern Honshū (established in 1969) produces a soft and mild malt.

In 2008, Yoichi 20 Year Old was voted best single malt at the World Whiskies Awards.

Here are the available Nikka’s for your consideration: (pictured left to right)

1) Nikka From the Barrel (Japan) – $61.99

2) Nikka Pure Malt Black (Japan) – $64.99

3) Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt (Japan) – $76.99

4) Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky (Japan) – $84.99

Japanese whisky has been on the ascent, and Nikka typifies that movement. Try for yourself to see what the fuss is about. Salute!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our September Case of the Month – $217.02 is a great sampler case for those wanting diversity, discovery and affordability in everyday drinking wines. We choose wines for this case to showcase their true varietal characteristics from wine regions from all over the world. It is seasonal in nature as well, more whites and pinks and lighter reds during the summer and more full-bodied reds over the fall and winter. It is a great way to discover your palate besides always having some wine on hand.

September features wines from all over the world including Italy, France, New Zealand, Spain, Argentina and Australia with a wide assortment of grapes for every drinking occasion.

You can read more information and purchase the September Case of the Month online here..

Salute!

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Author: Dirk Chan

The noble white grape Riesling originates from the Rhine region in Germany. While many of you think German Riesling is always sweet, that is a mis-conception as more and more German Rieslings are being produced dry (trocken). With an upward trend in world-wide plantings, only behind Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, other regions like Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Washington are also producing world class Rieslings.

The grape has wonderful acidity (one of the reasons why it is great for producing sweet dessert wines), it also boasts great longevity and also has fabulous food pairing potential.

All these wonderful traits will be on display and discussed at our upcoming De-Mystifying German Riesling stand-up tasting, scheduled for Saturday, September 17 @ 7pm – $40. deVines has one of the best German selections in the country, and this is your chance to taste through eight wines that show terroir influences of various regions, as well as varying levels of ripeness and sweetness. You may never go back to a Chard again after this tasting!

More information and register for the tasting here….

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Author: Dirk Chan

Michel Rosier left his native Champagne and settled in the beautiful region of Limoux to set up Domaine Rosier. The property goes back three generations and is still very much following the same traditions today. The 35 hectares of vineyards A.O.C. situated in the village of Villelongue-d’Aude, almost in the southern most tip of the Languedoc, comprises essentially the varietals of Chardonnay, Mauzac, Chenin and Pinot. The vineyards, which constitute the major source of the production, are cultivated without chemical fertilizers and grown in a very ecological fashion in order to realize musts of the finest quality.

deVine is pleased to offer three sparkling wines of fine quality from the Rosier portfolio, pictured left to right:

2013 Domaine Rosier Cuvee Ma Maison Cremant de Limoux (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $21.99.
The Cuvée Ma Maison is 60% Chardonay, 30% Chenin Blanc and 10% Pinot Noir. The grapes are grown 300 meters above sea level and is hand-picked from vines that are on average 20 years old. Accolades include a Médaille d’Or Concours Général Agricole PARIS 2014. A complex bouquet infused with subtle hints of white flowers and fruits as well as multiple sensations for the palate; elegance, balance, lasting freshness with hints of lightly mentholated citrus fruit. Ideal with aperitif, fish or seafood. Also available in magnum format – 2013 Domaine Rosier Cuvee du Rosier 1.5L (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $44.99.

2013 Domaine Rosier Cuvee du Rosier (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $19.99.
The Cuvée Domaine Rosier comes from the appellation of Blanquette de Limoux produced by 90% Mausac and 10% Chardonnay grapes grown on océanic argilo calcareous slopes. Pale yellow in colour, luminous and crystal clear with numerous fine bubbles, rising swiftly, it is beautifully effervescent. The nose is clean and engaging; it brings to mind the aroma of white fruits such as apples and pears, but in addition has nuances of fruits with yellow flesh mixed with the fragrance of spring flowers. The palate offers up a hint of honey-flavoured bonbon. The overall impression is one of light and fresh and well perfumed and fine length. Try wth appetizers.

2013 Domaine Rosier Cuvee Ma Maison Rose Cremant de Limoux (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $22.99.
The Cuvée Ma Maison Rosé’s grapes are grown on the sunny slopes around the fortified village of Villelongue and hand-picked from vines that are on average 20 years old. A beautiful salmon-pink hue, with a few subtle orange tinges, crystal clear with an abundant sparkling effervescence and numerous fine bubbles, which rise rapidly to the surface. The nose is fresh and bright evoking summer fruits such as strawberry, raspberry and red currant. Aeration adds a touch of grapefruit to enrich the experience. Try with avocado and spicy prawns.

Salute!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Do you have a sweet tooth like me? and always looking for a swell way to end a meal? Well, in this blog, i am tempting you with a wide assortment of thrilling high end ultra-premium dessert wines that will suit that very special occasion and definitely put a smile on your face.

Pictured left to right are:

1) 2005 Domaine Huet Clos du Bourg Moelleux Première Trie (Vouvray, France) – $79.99. This is a full bottle from Huet – one of the biggest names in the Loire Valley, and is made from Chenin Blanc. This oily textured, exotically fruited dessert wine can be drank by the glass because it is so light on its feet and not at all cloying. Certified biodynamic. Can age effortlessly and improve with bottle age. Calls for a fresh fruit flan.

2) 2001 Moulin Touchais Coteaux du Layon (Loire Valley, France) – $56.99. Another legend from the Loire – this is an altogether different expression of Chenin – waxy, honey, almond, saffron, wet wool and clementines and citrus peel in an even lighter package than the Huet. Unusual minerality that borders on a touch of earthiness. Another drink by the glass dessert wine, with all kinds of aromatic complexity. Try with a rhubarb ginger pop tart. This is capable of 30-40 years of aging as a recent 1971 showed superbly!

3) 2010 Hexamer Rieslng Eiswein (Nahe, Germany) – $169.99. If you thought Canadian Icewine was expensive, well German ones are even more so. Extremely rare, you don’t see a lot of Eiswein in the Alberta market because of tiny production and the producers tend to keep it for themselves! Hexamer is one of our favourite German producers, this Riesling is from the Nahe region known for their minerality – this is spicy, with stone fruits and custard in abundance. Great acidity never makes it taste syrupy or cloying. Calling out for a peach cobbler and home made vanilla ice cream.

4) 2000 Tokaj Classic Aszú Essencia (Tokaj, Hungary) – $149.99. Tokaj is the Hungarian classic dessert wine made from six possible indigenous grapes affected by noble rot – it is in the tawny style so more color, molasses and toffee notes. There can be an orange element to these wines. You are probably familiar with the Puttonyos system, ranging from 2 to 6 meaning increasing sweetness. Essencia is essentially a level of ripeness and sweetness beyond 6. You get the idea. A nector of the gods. Try with a homemade chocolate orange pound cake.

5) 2009 Castellare di Castellina Vin Santo S. Niccolo (Tuscany, Italy) – $45.99. The so called ‘holy wine’ is from the Tuscan region usually made from Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes, harvested and dried on straw mats. Apricots, honey, caramel, brown sugar with fine sweetness, great length and refined acidity here. Superlative wine that is a fabulous match with a panna cotta adorned with pistachio nuts and a drizzle of fine balsamic vinegar alla Corso 32. Decadent and a price quality ratio champ.

6) 2007 Château Climens Premier Cru (Bordeaux – Barsac, France) – $131.99. Sauterne is the class of the dessert field, and Climens (a Barsac) is light as a feather compared to most. Searing acidity, lots of botrytis (noble rot), you will wonder how something so light can have such great complexity and incredible length. Next to the d’YQuem, one of the world’s best dessert wines consistently. You could do a fresh nectarine or peach tart, or just as well, nothing at all.

7) 2010 Knebel Winninger Uhlen Riesling Beerenauslese (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany) – $159.99. Beerenauslese is the German term for ‘late harvest’, and this Knebel is a stunner with its spice, sunny lemon, orange, forest honey, saffron and citrus rind notes. Spectacular body and mouthfeel, not as much botrytis as the French, long glycerin oily finish. Not as sweet as some on this list, try with the Duchess’ Lemon Chiffon cake.

8) 2009 Domaine Huet Cuvee Constance (Loire Valley, France) – $167.99. This ultra-rare organic Vouvray from Chenin Blanc is only made in the greatest of vintages (for example, there hasn’t been one made since the 2009, although the 2015 is rumored). Peach, lime, ginger, spiced apple, ginseng, saline, hazelnuts, green tea, flowers, blossoms, marzipan in a minerally package. You name it, this has it – this is truly one of the greats of the world spoken in the realm of d’Yquem. Every dessert lover should taste this once in a lifetime. Try by itself or with some blue-veined cheeses and assorted roasted nuts.

There you go, some out of this world wines for the sweet wine lovers out there! Salute!

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Our August Case of the Month – $220.22 is a great sampler case for those wanting diversity, discovery and affordability in everyday drinking wines. We choose wines for this case to showcase their true varietal characteristics from wine regions all over the world. It is seasonal in nature as well, more whites and pinks and lighter reds during the summer and more full-bodied reds over the winter. It is a great way to discover your palate besides always having some wine on hand.

August features wines from all over the world including France, Germany, Portugal, Chile, Spain, Argentina, Italy and Australia with a wide assortment of grapes for every drinking occasion.

You can purchase the August Case of the Month here..

Enjoy!

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Author: Dirk Chan

New to the store is the Austrian Riedel Veritas line of stems, it joins the ever popular Vinum Series that has long been is staple at deVine’s.

Riedel (pronounced Ree-dle) is the industry standard for stemware and decanters for the wine connoisseurs, it has been an illustrious history – family owned in Bohemia since 1756 (the same year as Mozart’s birthyear – it’s been that long!). With expert craftsmanship and a creative design team, their stemware and decanters are in high end restaurants and regular homes alike. It’s claim to fame is that the stemware was specifically and scientifically design so the first hit on your tongue accentuates the qualities of the grape varietal that the glass was designed for.

Besides the bestseller Vinum Bordeaux, Riesling, Scotch and Sparkling stems, we’ve brought in a bunch of new stems for your consideration (pictured going left to right):

Riedel Veritas New World Pinot Noir/Nebbiolo/Rose Champagne Glass – $41.99

Riedel Vinum Cognac/Brandy Glass – $39.99

Riedel Veritas Cocktail Coupe/Moscato d’Asti Glass – $41.99

Riedel Veritas Champagne Glass – $41.99

Riedel Bar Vinum Cognac/Hennessy Glass – $34.99

Riedel Vinum Grappa Glass – $29.49

For those interested in Riedel Decanters, here is a list:

Riedel Syrah Decanter – $39.99

Riedel Big Apple Decanter – $79.99

Riedel ‘O’ Decanter – $249.99

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