deVine Thoughts

Author: Ed Fong

Al Fresco, the greatly missed 104th-St. community block party is back after a two year hiatus.

Save the date! This year, the event will take place on Saturday, August 22, 2015.

Myron Nebozuk, Chair of the Al Fresco Planning Committee says “After a two year break, I think the community is ready to step forward again to plan another fantastic event. We have heard from so many people asking to bring back Al Fresco that we just had to revive the event. It would be a shame not to.”

Plans are underway to bring you a fun packed day in the heart of our city. Highlights include:

1. Plans to close both ends of 104th-St., running north and south of Jasper Avenue. As the street will be closed to vehicular traffic, restaurants will have additional seating on extended patios that will bring the festivities right onto 104th-St.

2. Bringing together members of the Edmonton food truck community to provide an even greater variety of food options to festival patrons.

3. Programming the street with live music, DJs, street artists, a beer and wine garden and many more fun filled activities.

Once again, deVine Wines & Spirits will be helping the 104th-St. community by managing the Al Fresco 2015 silent auction. You can see the items that will be offered for bid by following this link: http://devinewines.ca/eventAuctions/alfresco_auction.html

Proceeds from the silent auction and participation fees will be used to support community development and the Edmonton Food Bank, whom we have worked with before. We welcome their return in 2015. To learn more about the Edmonton Food Bank, please visit their website at http://www.edmontonsfoodbank.com

Al Fresco 2015 will run concurrently with the Downtown Farmers’ Market on the south end of Jasper Avenue on 104th-St. during market hours. Once the market vacates 104th-St. north of Jasper Avenue, Al Fresco will expand north to 102nd-Ave. Festivities between Jasper Avenue and 102nd-Ave will begin at 5:00 PM.

Please stay tuned for more information. We will be adding details to our blog, website and e-newsletter on a regular basis. Items will be added to the Al Fresco online auction as they become available. Please visit the auction page regularly to see new items and to track your bid.

So, please save the date and tell your friends! Al Fresco is back!

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Guest Blogger: Devon Seagrave of Charton Hobbs

In the history of Champagne, wines that were blended for greater sweetness were customarily described as “rich”. Even the 1840s bottles of Veuve Clicquot found recently in the Aland Islands have over 150 grams per liter of sugar. Today Veuve Clicquot propels this tradition into the contemporary era with RICH, a champagne dedicated to mixology.

Bringing a cocktail spirit to a House already known for audacity and innovation, Veuve Clicquot RICH is an invitation to en-RICH the tasting experience with a So Clicquot twist. From mountains to oceans, rooftops to canyons, winter or summer, day or night, Veuve Clicquot RICH is perfect anyway, anywhere and anytime.
This new sparkler, housed in striking silver foil wrapping pattern was created expressly to be combined with a selection of ingredients that bring out the mixologist – no, the Clicquologist – in anyone. The signature notes of the wine are magnified by the presence of selected ingredients: pineapple, grapefruit zest, cucumber, celery, peppers or tea, all on the rocks.

CLICQUOLOGY: THE PERFECT SERVE

1) Place ice cubes in a large wine glass

2) Add one of the recommended ingredients (Celery, Cucumber, Bell Peppers, Pineapple or Grapefruit Zest)

3) Finish with chilled Veuve Clicquot RICH

With Veuve Clicquot RICH, the fruit is boosted to an exciting new level. The signature Pinot Noir of Veuve Clicquot is given a new versatility with a higher dosage, while a greater presence of Meunier emphasizes fresh, fruity and gourmand notes. Citrus and floral notes are found on the palate, which are balanced with the dynamic freshness and creamy finish common to all expressions of Veuve Clicquot.

The Blend:

– Pinot noir 45%

– Pinot Meunier 40%

– Chardonnay 15%

You can taste for yourself this coming Saturday, July 25th from noon to 2pm, as we will be sampling RICH, with the likes of citrus fruit, assorted peppers, cucumber erc. Walk the City Market, view our new RICH window display and then come in for a taste of RICH.

For those who can’t wait, you can purchase it online NV Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Rich (Champagne, France) – $87.99

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Author: Jim Phelan

Edmonton’s summer has been an early scorcher so far. Bring some friends by to help beat the heat on Saturday, June 13th, where we’ll be tasting a wide range of different brews with a summer-like feel to them.

The evening’s docket includes:

A cider made in the Champagne method with yeast added to the bottle for a secondary, effervescent fermentation.

A delicious blend of soda and German kölsch ale named after bicycle.

An introduction to a brand new Alberta craft brewery with a year-round line-up which may soon rival Edmonton favourite Alley Kat

Beer first made without the use of refrigeration in Gold-rush era California

An example of why dry-hopping an IPA suddenly turns the beer into “crushable craft”

…and a number of other notables pointed out by a so-called “beer expert” trying to entertain you and some companions while you sip & sample so of the best seasonal beers the Alberta market has to offer.

More information and ticketing is available here..

We hope to see you there!

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Author: Devon Seagrave, Charton-Hobbs

Since its creation in 1772, Veuve Clicquot has played an instrumental role in establishing and evolving the Champagne industry, as we know it today. Located in Reims, France, Veuve Clicquot prides itself on using only the most distinct grapes reflecting Madame Clicquot’s motto “only one quality, the finest.”

Now, more than 200 years later, Veuve Clicquot Champagne inspires the world to “Be Clicquot”: modern, audacious and of premium quality. These values, set forth by the extraordinary Madame Clicquot, promise a remarkable experience with each sip of Veuve Clicquot Champagne.

Last year, the Veuve agent Charton-Hobbs offered a lovely yellow bicyclette. This year’s Yellow Contest runs from now till end of May, enter at deVine’s for an opportunity to take home a little piece of sunshine – a chance to win a beautiful Veuve Clicquot Bistro Patio Set – see photo. Good Luck to everyone!

In the meantime, here is our Veuve available products for your sipping pleasure:

NV Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut – $68.99

NV Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut (1.5L Magnum) – $149.99

NV Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec – $74.99

2004 Veuve Clicquot Vintage Reserve Brut – $94.99

2004 Veuve Clicquot Vintage Rosé – $99.99

1990 Veuve Clicquot Cave Privée Brut – $299.99

1989 Veuve Clicquot Cave Privée Rosé Brut – $319.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Join us on Saturday May 9th as we DRINK PINK to raise funds for breast cancer research in Alberta!

It’s near impossible to find someone whose life has not been touched by cancer. One of the leading causes of death in the world, it represents a tremendous burden on patients, families and societies. With the rising cost of treatment and the sheer number of individuals affected by the disease, the fight against cancer often feels like a losing battle . We CAN help make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, survivors and their families by fundraising to help the advancement of cancer research, prevention, and treatment.

On Mother’s Day weekend, deVine will host a stand-up rosé themed tasting with half of all ticket sales going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. A perfect Mother’s Day gift, or just a great excuse to come out and taste some great wine in support of a universal cause!

Rosé can literally be made from any grape, it incorporates some of the color from the red grape via the skin contact method. Pretty much every wine producing region has one form or another, it is a great summer deck wine, a versatile food wine, a great picnic wine. It has been popular for a long time in Europe but has caught over in North America over the last few years.

Please support this worthy cause and sign up for Drink Pink
here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

deVine welcomes Pedro Almeida Santos, Export Manager of Quinta do Portal for a special sit down tasting and traversal of representative wines of this popular family-ran Douro producer on Thursday, April 9 @ 7pm – $40.

deVine has been a long time supporter of this winery, who over the last decade has achieved deserved recognition for producing quality and varietally correct wines at an affordable price.

Vines have been grown in their harsh and beautiful land for hundreds of years although Portal has only been around since 1986. Before that, they were known as Quinta Casal de Celeiros. There’s some fascinating history as Celeiros was one of the very earliest Quintas to employ women to tread grapes in the lagares, it is also the only property in the entire Douro region that was not affected by Phylloxera in the turn of the century. Also, they sold off a lot of their grapes in the 1960-1980’s to Sandeman. More stories to be had if you attend the tasting with Pedro on Thursday, April 9th.

We’ll be tasting through a vast range of Portal wines, both white and reds, and ending with one of the house’s greatest Vintage Ports, their stellar 1999. Only 34 spots available for this sitdown event. Please book early to avoid disappointment. The list of wines and tickets here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

Another Easter is fast upon us, and we tend to receive many Easter Dinner wine pairing requests. If you have an unique dinner planned other than the traditional turkey and ham, then by all means bring your menu into the store or drop us a line, and we would be happy to choose specific matches to enhance your special evening.

For those doing turkey and ham and all the traditional fixings, here are a few favourites at deVine’s that will suit the bill nicely:

Bubbles:

Whites:

Rosés:

Reds:

Denouement:

These are but just a few recommendations, there’s much more to choose from, but do shop early for the best selection.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Vintage of the century seems to be common place coming from Bordeaux, but less so elsewhere. However, the 2010 vintage of Barolo’s from northern Italy’s Piedmont region is such a great vintage. Hailed as the best vintage since the legendary 1971, 1978, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1996 and 2006 with many calling 2010 the greatest ever, it is surely something any wine connoisseur should be seeking out. Patience is required, and will be grandly rewarded.

There is small amounts coming into Alberta, and they are being snapped up pretty fast. Here is what’s currently available at deVine’s, all very limited:

2010 Vietti Barolo Rocche di Castiglione – $299.99

2010 Vietti Barolo Brunate – $249.99

2010 Vietti Barolo Lazzarito – $199.99

2010 Vietti Barolo Castiglione – 1.5L – $199.99

2010 Vietti Barolo Castiglione – $89.99

2010 E. Pira & Figli Barolo Cannubi Chiara Boschis – $139.99

2010 E. Pira & Figli Barolo Via Nuova Chiara Boschis – $114.99

2010 Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala – $199.99

2010 Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia – $109.99

2010 Azelia Barolo San Rocco – $114.99

2010 Cavallotto Barolo Bricco Boschis – $109.99

2010 Conterno-Fantino Barolo Sori Ginestra – $114.99

2010 Poderi di Luigi Einaudi Barolo Cannubi – $114.99

2010 Poderi di Luigi Einaudi Barolo Terlo Vigna Costa Grimaldi – $104.99

2010 Poderi di Luigi Einaudi Barolo Terlo – $79.99

2010 Marcarini Barolo Brunate – $79.99

2010 Fontanafredda Barolo di Serralunga d’Alba – $47.99

2010 Serradenari Barolo Rocche di Castiglione – $44.99

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Author: Jim Phelan

For the first time in several years, deVine Wines & Spirits is hosting a formal sit-down beer tasting!

As craft beer’s market continues to gain traction, diversify, and expand, it truly has become a wonderful time to be a beer drinker. This expansion of great beer can also be quite confusing at times. What defines a certain beer style? How many different types of beer are there? What is the difference between craft and domestic brewing? How hoppy and bitter should an IPA be? We here at deVine’s might be able to help.

Join us on Saturday March 21st, for a sweeping sit-down survey course across the world of beer. Accessable to beginners and beer-geeks alike, we will taste through thirteen different products spanning from lagers to barley wines. We’ll be sticking to some of the most readily available styles seen in North America for this tasting, but with a few surprises thrown in for even the most seasoned beer guru! We will talk about what differentiates different styles of beer and where they came from, go over tasting techniques, look at how craft beer grew so popular over recent years, and even offer some basic beer and food pairings.

Only a dozen spots left as of this writing. You can register for this event here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

Another in a series of deVine’s 10th Anniversary tastings, we and International Wine Cellars welcome Johan Erasmus, General Manager of Glen Carlou, who will lead us through a set of six wines from their sparkling portfolio in this special sit-down event, scheduled for Thursday, February 19th at 7pm. Erasmus is an engaging and knowlegeable speaker who will inform and engage you with anecdotes, history and revealing wine talk.

Glen Carlou is located in Paarl (Southern Cape), South Africa and has been doing wonderful things in their short 28 year existence. Under the ownership and management of the world-renowned Hess Family (with additional holdings in USA, Australia and Argentina), Glen Carlou has been offering passionate and consistent wine for a great price for the last two decades and is now one of the country’s leading producers. Of special interest are the splendid Quartz Stone Chardonnay (oldest block single vineyard) and their Gravel Quarry Cabernet Sauvignon (best vines named after the distinctive gravel soils from the old quarry site where the winery stands today) and ending with the sweet dessert Welder Chenin Blanc (single vineyard under careful canopy management, and named after winemaker Arco Laarman’s nickname). Only 34 spots available for this tasting.

More details and registration for this event here..

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