deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our June Case of the Month – $222.49 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.

June features wines from France, Chile, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, United States and Argentia with a wide assortment of grapes for every drinking occasion.

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

Enjoy!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Rosé season usually starts end of May, but with our prematurely warm Edmonton weather, the demand is about a month earlier than expected. We’ve scrambled to fill our shelves with the pinks to satisfy the burgeoning demand.

Rosés have been on fire at deVines for a few years now, but more so than ever, our customers are asking for a wider selection, and we have done so…Whether its for enjoying on the patio, in a picnic scenario, or just with charcuterie and cheeses, these pinks are the way to go for the summer months. The lively bright colors range from light pastel, to salmon to bright ruby red, these dry wines are light and breezy, combining the best of both white and red and without pretention, it is merely to be enjoyed with family and friends as there is no wine snobbery associated with roses and that’s a good thing! The relatively low pricing is yet another attractive characteristic of rosés.

Here is an extensive list of what is already available at the store. Check back on the website as more is on the way..

2015 La Vieille Ferme Rosé Cotes du Luberon (Rhone Valley, France) – $15.99

2014 Bodegas Farina Colegiata Rosé (Toro, Spain) – $17.99

2014 Château de Nages Buti Rosé (Costieres de Nimes, France) – $18.49

2015 Protos Ribera Duero Rosado (Ribera del Duero, Spain) – $18.99

2014 Domaine du Grand Cros Rosé (Provence, France) – $19.99

2013 Chaos Wines Rosé (California – Suisun Valley, United States) – $20.99

2015 Clos du Soleil Rosé (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $23.49

2015 Baillie-Grohman Blanc de Noirs Rosé (BC – Creston, Canada) – $26.49

2015 Jolie-Pitt & Perrin Côtes de Provence Rosé Miraval (Provence, France) – $29.99

2015 Pratello Chiaretto (Lombardy, Italy) – $32.99

And for those wanting a sparkling pink:

NV Bernard-Massard Cuvée de L’Écusson Brut Rosé (Luxembourg) – $22.49

NV Rolet Crémant du Jura Brut Rosé (Jura, France) – $27.99

Have yourself a Pink Day!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Charton Hobbs and Veuve Clicquot is proud to announce the launch of Yelloweek, an annual festival-style ‘tribute to creativity’ showcasing gastronomy, arts, fashion and lifestyle.

This year’s event takes place this year from May 1st to 7th inclusive, Edmontonians are invited to explore and enjoy a series of creatively-inspired events spanning several categories, including: Yellow TABLE, Yellow BY THE GLASS, Yellow NIGHT and Yellow CONTEST (of which deVines is a part of). Check out all the Yelloweek festivities in Edmonton

deVine will be the place for the Yellow CONTEST, an opportunity to take home a little piece of sunshine – a chance to win a beautiful Veuve Clicquot Bistro Patio Set for two!. Enter your name at the store now, no purchase necessary, contest ends May 31st.

Be sure to come down and check out our brand new Yelloweek decorative window!

Have a great Yelloweek everyone!

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Author: Dirk Chan

The 2015 Bordeaux Futures Campaign is underway, and we’ve had lots of emails and personal visits showing interest in buying into the 2015 En Primeur campaign.

In light of that, we’re going to do a revisit tasting this Saturday, May 14th, 7pm – $80 of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 vintages to see how the wines are progressing. 2008 will forever be in the shadow of the great duo of 2009 & 2010, but there are some really great wines from 08 that will drink sooner. The 09’s and 10’s are already legends with prices to match and it will be nice to check in on them. Perhaps there’ll be a surprise in the mix too!

Bordeaux is the most revered of wine producing regions, and many are intimidated by it, here is a chance to debunk all the mystique! If you’re interested in discovering Bordeaux – the futures campaign and how it works, the various Classified Growths, 1855 Classification, the characteristics of various appellations etc etc, then this is the sit-down event to come to. Only 5 spots available for this intimate and educational affair.

Register for the tasting here…

2015 Bordeaux Futures Offerings…

Salute!

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Author: Dirk Chan

A Happy Mother’s Day to all mother’s out there and hope your day is full of love, joy and plenty of wine! Here are our suggestions for the festive day:

Sparkling for Brunch:

NV Bernard-Massard Cuvée de L’Écusson Brut Rosé (Luxembourg) – $22.49
NV Godme Pere et Fils Brut Reserve Premier Cru (Champagne, France) – $56.99
2000 Moet & Chandon Dom Pérignon Rosé (Champagne, France) – $379.99
Riedel Vinum Cuvee Prestige Champagne Stem – $34.99


Something Pink:

2014 Domaine du Grand Cros Rosé (Provence, France) – $19.99
2015 Hillside Estate Unoaked Pinot Gris (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $23.99

A few whites and reds for that special meal:

2014 Wild Goose Autumn Gold (Okanagan, B.C.) – $27.99
2013 Pommer Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy (Chablis, France) – $54.99
2013 Bodegas Colombe Lote Especial Tannat (Calchaqui, Argentina) – $30.99
2009 Gian Carlo Burlotto Barolo Cascina Massara (Piedmont, Italy) – $56.99
2005 Finca Allende Calvario (Rioja, Spain) – $124.99

Chocolate Pairings:

2009 Castellare di Castellina Vin Santo S. Niccolo (Tuscany, Italy) – 375mL – $45.99
2012 Ciumai Cagor (Moldova) – $21.99
Quinta do Portal 20 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $76.99
Riedel Vinum Port Stem – $34.99

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Author: Dirk Chan

The 2015 Bordeaux Futures Campaign has officially begun with a dribbling of Petit Chateaux and a few Cru Bourgeois (see below for the first offerings).The classifed Grand Cru Classe’s will be coming over the course of the next 3-4 weeks.

This is the last call for advance consultation where you identify to us your wishlist of wines, your budget, your favourite appellation or favourite chateau that we will then help fulfill.

Note that we will purchase wines based on the result of all of the advance consultations and offer it to those who have come forward first. Any unsold bottles after the fact will then go on the website for sale to the general public – thus by then availability of what is left may be extremely limited. So, please come forward asap for the best selection. The final deadline for advance consultation will be end of day April 30th.

2015 looks to be an excellent vintage (certainly the best since 2010) where the Merlot based right bank appellations of Pomerol, St. Emilion & satellites are the highlights of the vintage. On the Cabernet based left bank, Margaux and Pessac-Leognan appear to be head of class. Thus we will focus on these appellation for the Petit Chateaux, Cru Bourgeois and Grand Cru Classe’s.

Please feel free to drop us a line at ‘info@devinewines.ca’, or come in person to talk with us.

We will need to know:

1) what your total budget
2) what your average price per bottle
3) class of wine (First Growths, Super Seconds, Third-Fifths Growths, Cru Bourgeois or Petit Chateaux)
4) desired appellation(s) (Left Bank – St. Estephe, Pauillac, St. Julien, Margaux, Pessac, Haut Medoc, Medoc or Right Bank – Pomerol, St. Emilion, Satellites)
5) if you know of specific Chateaux you definitely want, please let us know
6) if you have a vertical of a particular Chateau going, please let us know

We are doing the advance consultation to:

1) help you get what you want at the price you want in the quantities you want
2) help us buy the wines on first tranch prices (with each subsequent tranche (or offering), the price goes up)
3) help us not having to warehouse excessive inventory

This year, we require full payment upfront (this locks the wine in irrespective of exchange rate fluctuations) and the wines will arrive in the store mid-year 2018.

For those new to Bordeaux, we are doing a tasting of some of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 vintages on Saturday, May 14th where we will taste some great Bordeaux wines and speak to Bordeaux Futures – this is the event to debunk your fears of this most famous of wine producing regions, you can sign up here..

Below are the first offerings for sale (first come first served), check back often as we will be updating this blog with more bottling as they are purchased :

2015 Chateau Marjosse (Entre-Deux-Mers) – $26.99

2015 Chateau Reaut (Premiere Cotes de Bordeaux) – $29.99

2015 Chateau Marsau (Cotes de Francs) – $34.99

2015 Chateau La Tour de Bessan (Margaux) – $44.99

2015 Chateau Moulin Haut-Laroque (Fronsac) – $47.99

2015 Chateau Coutet (Barsac) – 375mL – $49.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

With the warming weather, we’re already noticing a higher demand for whites. One of the favourites is for Sauvignon Blancs, known for its crisp, elegance and freshness. Other common characteristics include gooseberries, cut grass, fresh peas and passionfruit. This green-skinned grape variety originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape most likely gets its name from the French words sauvage (“wild”) and blanc (“white”).

Sauvignon blanc is planted in many of the world’s wine regions. While it is a component of the famous dessert wines from Sauternes and Barsac and in White Bordeaux and Sancerre (Loire), many countries now produce world class Sauvignon Blancs, including New Zealand followed by Chile, Italy, Canada, South Africa, Germany and California (sometimes called Fume Blanc).

Great for outdoor drinking, great in picnics – pair with vegetarian dishes, fish or poultry. Don’t serve too cold.

Here are a few of our current favourite Sauv Blancs:

2014 Montes Classic Series Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley, Chile) – $15.99

2014 Creekside Sauvignon Blanc (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – $19.99

2014 Rustenberg Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $21.99

2014 Astrolabe Voyager Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand) – $22.49

2014 Hubert Brochard Sancerre (Loire Valley, France) – $27.49

2012 Hexamer Sauvignon Blanc QbA Trocken (Nahe, Germany) – $27.99

2013 Livio Felluga Sauvignon (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy) – $41.99

2014 Casa Marin Cipreses Sauvignon Blanc (San Antonio Valley, Chile) – $42.99

2014 Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc (California – Napa Valley, United States) – $46.99

Enjoy!!

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Author: Dirk Chan

On Thursday, April 28th at 7pm, deVine welcomes winemaker Benjamin Silver of Silver Wines for a special sit-down tasting of his portfolio. Located in Santa Barbara, California, Silver’s terroir driven, varietally correct and well priced wines have found a niche in our store over the years.

Benjamin learnt his craft at the Zaca Mesa Winery in the mid nineties, and launched his own label in 2000. Silver Wines currently produces small bottlings of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and unusually Nebbiolo, and two proprietary blends: Saviezza & I Tre Figli. All grapes are sourced from the Santa Barbara County.

Benjamin sums up his winemaking philosophy: “For vineyard designated wines, I strive to focus on protecting a vineyard’s unique personality stamp. The vineyard’s site specific mesoclimate, influencing the constant: grape vines growing in the same soil over many years. For blends, it’s all about balance or the marriage of different parts coming together to become a great Silver styled wine. That’s what makes winemaking exciting!”

Benjamin will be bringing a surprise or two for this tasting…It’s been quite a few years since Benjamin’s done a tasting with us, so be sure to sign up early to hear and taste with one of the most talented winemakers in Santa Barbara. You can sign up for this event here..

In the meantime, here are three Silver favourites currently in stock:

2009 Silver Pinot Noir (California – Santa Barbara, United States) – $36.99

2010 Silver Trentotto Syrah (California – Santa Barbara, United States) – $44.99

2009 Silver I Tre Figli (California – Santa Barbara, United States) – $59.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Bordeaux is one of the few wines in the world where they present their wines for sale long before it is even bottled. It is called En Primeur (or Futures). deVine has had a tradition of offering the great wines from great Bordeaux vintages in our Futures program since the store’s inception. We have presented large Futures for the heralded 2005, 2009 and 2010 vintages, with smaller offerings in 2008 and 2011. The 2015 will rank with 2000, 2005, 2009 and 2010 as the best since the new millennium, so those of you wanting a great Bordeaux vintage in your cellars, then you must participatein this must have 2015 vintage.

The prices won’t be cheap as 2011 through 2014 were merely good, so the Bordelais will definitely want to make some money with this vintage (there are rumors of a 15-20% increase over 2009 and 2010 pricing). Given the current economic climate, we will be doing things differently this time around. It is not wise to have excess stock sitting around, so we will be consulting with you beforehand and purchasing only what has been committed by you. We will still have some stock for sale upon release, but it will be more limited than for 2009 or 2010.

Open tastings for critics start in early April, we then await the scores from major critics (Wine Spectator and Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate among others) and then in late April or early May, the wines dribble out on offer over the course of a couple of weeks.

Thus, we are asking you to contact us as soon as possible to let us know:

1) what your total budget
2) what your average price per bottle
3) class of wine (First Growths, Super Seconds, Third-Fifths Growths, Cru Bourgeois or Petit Chateaux)
4) desired appellation(s) (Left Bank – St. Estephe, Pauillac, St. Julien, Margaux, Pessac, Haut Medoc, Medoc or Right Bank – Pomerol, St. Emilion, Satellites)
5) if you know of specific Chateaux you definitely want, please let us know ahead of time
6) if you have a vertical of a particular Chateau going, please let us know

You can convey this information to us via email (to info@devinewines.ca) by end of day April 30th, but we prefer you drop in and talk to us so we get all the basis covered. Beware who you buy futures from – this is like the stock market, wines are purchased years before they are even bottled and a lot can change in barrel – it is wise to consult with experts prior to purchasing and from those with a proven track record. We have been doing this for awhile and have delivered on every single bottle purchased from us En Primeur. Our free consultation will help you choose from the masses of supply out there and provide you with some great Bordeaux for your cellar at the budget that suits you.

This year, we require full payment upfront (this locks the wine in irrespective of exchange rate fluctuations) and the wines will arrive in the store mid-year 2018. What is not sold in Futures program will be put on the shelf for sale upon their arrival at a 20% premium thus it is wise to buy now to ensure you get your hands on some and at a better price.

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Author: Dirk Chan

On Saturday, April 16th, at 7pm deVine Wines will be hosting our first ever Cider House Rules tasting. Craft cider, both Old World and North American, is in the midst of an incredible renaissance. Craft ciders are swiftly transforming into a trendy drink choice du jour, bringing together wine lovers, beer geeks, bubbles fans, and gluten free drinkers alike with products equally flavourful, complex & refreshing.

Made in a similar way to wine and served in the same sort of fashion as beer, cider has something for everyone. So it’s not a big surprise that this fast rising apple-based beverage, in particularly craft cider, is becoming In Thing locally. We’re starting to recommend a lot of ciders as starters in lieu of Bubbles – it has the aromatic complexity similar to wine and a clean cut refreshing taste that works wonders as an aperitif or matching with appetizers. I’d bet its going to be big in the summertime. The next time you want something different to begin an evening, keep cider in the back of your mind.

Join us for this $30 stand-up tasting to find out why cider is the fastest growing category of alcoholic beverage in North America. We will taste through some of our favourite cideries available on the market today employing traditional methods and materials. Producers such as Finnriver, Reverend Nat’s, Cidres Le Brun, Manior du Kinkiz, & J.K.’s offer sophisticated and unique products with crisp flavours, wonderful tartness and complex sugars. Let your palate come of age during the deVine Cider House Rules tasting!

Register for our Cider tasting here..

In the meantime, here are a couple of recommendations to get you started down the Cider Path…

Domaine de la Minotiere Organic Cider Fermier Brut (Loire Valley, France) – 750mL – $12.99

Cascadia Ciderworkers United Dry Hard Apple Cider (Oregon, United States) – 4 Cans – $20.99

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