deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Today, a short fifteen minute drive up and around the winding roads from Alba to Barbaresco, home of this great Nebbiolo based red, to visit Bruno Rocca whose Barbera’s and Barbaresco’s have adorned our shelves. There was a chill in the morning air, and while overcast, there was none of the famous fog, we had a beautiful view of the region. We met Bruno briefly (recovering from a ligament injury) as well as son Francesco, and then was led through the vineyards and the cellars by daughter Luisa, the PR mastermind who travels the world promoting this relatively young estate (1978).

We tasted through the entire range of their wines, and were impressed with the common house style of elegance and expression of terroir. The range includes only one white, a well balanced Chardonnay 2012, while others tasted include the 2012 Dolcetto, while both the 2010 Barbera d’Alba and Barbera d’Asti were impressive. However, without doubt, the estate is known for their Barbaresco’s, with the generic 2009 Barbaresco showing extremely well for a wine so young, while the 2009 Rabaja and Coparossa Barbaresco’s were supremely elegant and arresting. Finally, the 2008 Maria Adelaide (named after Bruno’s mother), the flagship selection made only in the very best years from hand-selected parcels deemed worthy for a special release by Bruno himself – it was bold, structured and obviously long-aging and indeed special. This family ran estate is clearly doing everything right in their aim for excellence, and runs a tight ship given the small overall production – and the wines clearly show the work done at the vineyards and their focus on true varietal and terroir expression.

Never appreciated how tiny Barbaresco is as a region is. A great run of vintages here with 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 all looking to be extremely fine. Pictured above is Luisa and Annabelle overlooking the famed Rabaja cru (only four producers share this name). Listed below are the current available Bruno Rocca wines currently available at the store.

2009 Bruno Rocca Barbera d’Asti – $32.99

2008 Bruno Rocca Barbaresco – $64.99

2008 Bruno Rocca Barbaresco Rabaja – $109.99

(more…)

Author: Dirk Chan

The 2010 Bordeaux vintage is another stellar one. Following the footsteps of the great 2000, 2005, and 2009’s, that’s four legendary vintages since the new millenium. As usual in a great vintage, the so called lesser wines or Petit Chateaux offer great value and we’ve received the first of these, a perennial deVine favourite, the Chateau Haut Nadeau – $22.99, a Bordeaux Superieur from Entre Deux Mers.

The 2005 and 2009 were favourites with our customers and the 2010 may be the best of this trio. 55% Merlot, the rest a mixture of CabSau and CabFranc. Lovely floral, raspberry and black currant nose, a stellar velvety mouthfeel from the Merlot, and a lingering dark cherry finish. You could lay this down short-term (2-3 years) or its also lovely now with an hour’s decant and a pairing with a roast leg of lamb. Gold medal winner at both the Concours de Bordeaux and Vins d’Aquitane fairs of 2011.

We’ve had quite a few huge Best Bang for the Buck wines lately, and the Haut Nadeau is another one to stock up by the case.

(more…)

Author: Dirk Chan

Another Easter is upon us, and we are flooded with 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 cranberry 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.

(more…)

Author: Ed Fong


This year marks the 10th annual Downtown Dining Week and deVine Wines is proud to donate a 50 bottle mini wine cellar to one lucky patron. Downtown Dining Week is presented by the Downtown Business Association to showcase many of the Edmonton’s finest restaurants in the heart of our city. This year’s event runs for ten days, from March 15-24, inclusive.

Diners will have a choice of 29 participating restaurants to choose from. Restaurants will offer special pricing on a two course lunch for $15 and/or a three course dinner for either $25 or $50. For a complete listing of participating restaurants and their menus, please follow this link – http://www.edmontondowntown.com/dining-week.php

Dining Week patrons can enter to win gift certificates to participating restaurants. One lucky patron will win the “10th Anniversary Grand Prize” – 50 bottles of wine donated by deVine Wines and a 35-bottle Whirlpool Wine Cooler. The 50 bottle wine cellar has a retail value of over $1,500! For a complete listing of the cellar contents, please click here..

Contest entries and rules will be available at all participating restaurants, four of which are deVine Wines partners. I can personally vouch for the Hardware Grill’s “Soup of Yesterday” and their “Open Face Alberta Lamb Burger” – check out their menu here..

Seafood lovers should pay a visit to Sabor Divino. Nobody in Edmonton handles seafood with the touch that Chef Lino Oliviera does. I love his “Piri Piri Prawns” and “Broiled Bacalhau”, their menu is here..

The Marc offers one of the best valued lunch menus found anywhere in Edmonton. If this doesn’t tempt you, then order the “Croque Madame” off the regular menu. I substitute the salad for an order of the best French Fries in Edmonton, perfect for dipping into the egg yolk that sits atop the slices of duck breast. Truly a TDF experience! The Marc is also offering a $25 Dining Week dinner special. Check out their menu
here..

Finally, our neighbor and partner down the street, the Blue Plate Diner, is offering “Pheasant Legs – Two Ways” that is intriguing the heck out of me. Check out their menu here..

So bring your appetite and dinner companions to check out the great lineup of restaurants who want to showcase the BEST of what Downtown has to offer. Reservations are highly recommended. I’ll join you in Downtown Dining Week, even if I can’t win that 50 bottle wine cellar!

Bon Appetite!

(more…)

Author: Dirk Chan

Spain is fashioning some incredible values these days, and our feature wines this week come from Hacienda Lopez de Haro in Rioja in North Central Spain. Both are home-runs for the bargain hunter, coming in at under $20 and both scoring outstanding (90+) scores from wine critic Neal Martin of The Wine Advocate magazine.

Located in the historic village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, the winery is excavated into the side of the mountain, providing excellent year-round temperature control. The grapes enter the winery with the aid of gravity, this being the least harsh method of moving the grapes. The soils in this region are mostly calcareous clay delivering great acidity to the wine.

The two wines featured here have a modern twist, a fair amount of barrel treatment that gives them a creamy, vanilla character alongside the nice raspberry fruit. Even though they already having aging in the bottle, decanting prior to consumption will bring forth its best showing. Pair with a nice winter beef and tomato stew to balance out the acidity.

– 2008 Hacienda Lopez de Haro Crianza – $16.99 – this one is in our March Case of the Month.

– 2005 Hacienda Lopez de Haro Reserva – $18.49 – this one already flying out of the store and has limited availability, decanting for 2 hours recommended. Most Reserva’s sell in the $30 range so this is a great value.

Enjoy everyone!

(more…)

Author: Dirk Chan

Dominus is one of California’s most famous red wines. Owned by the Christian Moueix of Chateau Petrus fame, this legendary winery has been one of the leaders of the so called ‘cult’ wines of the region. Established in 1983 and located in Napa), the famous Napanook Vineyard (124 acres of gently sloping land from the foothills of the Mayacamas Range in the Yountville Appellation) provides the lion’s share of the grapes for Dominus, a Bordeaux inspired red. This vineyard’s claim to fame was it was home of some of the finest Napa Valley wines of the 1940’s and 1950’s (when it was known as Inglenook) with its gravelly and clay loam soils and volcanic influences.

Please join us for the Top Drops: Dominus Vertical tasting on Saturday, March 23rd at 7pm – $140 per person. We’ll sample Dominus 2009, 2008, 2007 (all of which scored in the high 90’s from the legendary wine critic Robert Parker), alongside the 2003, 2001, 1996 and a surprise. Book your spot today here..

Known for its complexity and balance, we’ll taste a wine that expresses its an exceptional terroir – seamless, full of finesse and perfectly integrated., while learning a bit about the history and Moueix’ commitment to stewardship of this treasured land. Only 18 seats available for this rare vertical, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

(more…)

Guest Author: Michael Phair

IllumiNITE 2013 is this weekend, Saturday Feb. 16 and Sunday Feb. 17. On both days the event runs from 5-10pm both in the Alley of Light (the alley behind Sobey’s) and on 104th street.

IllumiNITE will again host 10 sculptures of light in the alley, a light show produced by GURU on the Armstrong Building on 104th street, an ice bar at Crock and Barrel, Fox & Finery Pop-Up Market in the Armstrong Building, along with bannock making, hot chocolate and Fat Franks!

Saturday’s opening will take place at 6pm by the entrance to the strip park with an annoucement of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners of the sculptures of light.

IllumiNITE is thankful to the many sponsoring businesses and groups that has help make this event successful.

Admission is free, with donations to the Edmonton Food Bank gladly accepted.

Please come out and enjoy this Edmonton Winter Event– IllumiNITE Year 2!

(more…)

Author: Dirk Chan

Valentine’s is a special day and we’ve written in our latest blog several appropriately named and love themed related wines to share with that someone special.

1) NV Rolet Crémant du Jura Brut Rosé (Jura, France) – $24.99 – lovely earthy pink bubblie to start the evening, pair with caviar or oysters

2) NV Devaux Brut Cuvée Rosée (Champagne, France) – $72.99 – the real thing, French Champagne, drinking marvelously.

3) 2004 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame Brut (Champagne, France) – $254.99 – For those who want high end Champagne, this lovely lady is for those who want the best.

4) 2011 Ochoa Rosado Garnacha (Navarra, Spain) – $16.99 – for those looking for a still pink, great alive color, fine to pair with appetizers

5) 2010 Hexamer Meddersheimer Rheingrafenberg Riesling Spatlese (Nahe, Germany) – $37.99 – a sweet white for your sweetie – pair with lobster

6) 2010 Domaine les Cotes de la Roche Saint Amour (Beaujolais, France) – $22.99 – St. Amour, a cru beaujolais. Try with something spicy like Thai food.

7) 2010 Bodegas Sierra Norte Pasion de Bobal (Valencia, Spain) – $17.99 -. ‘Pasion’ is made from the little known Bobal grape, rich and velvety. Lovely label of tree with heart-shaped leaves…

8) 2010 Fita Preta Sexy Tinto (Alentejo, Portugal) – $19.99 – ‘Sexy’ speaks for itself, incredible packaging and the wine is also great.

9) 2010 d’Arenberg The Love Grass Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia) – $26.99 – Gorgeous label design appropriately named. Full-bodied shiraz.

10) 2011 Some Young Punks Passion Has Red Lips Shiraz-Cabernet (South Australia) – $25.99 – Full bodied, passionate red of spicy and dark ripe fruit.

11) 2011 Quady Elysium Black Muscat – 375mL (California) – $13.99 – Heart-shaped label is followed by a lovely raspberry, blueberry note perfect for pairing with dark chocolate.

12) 2001 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey – 375mL (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – $94.99 – for those looking for a sweet dessert wine to pair with fruit based desserts.

13) 2011 Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d’Asti – 375mL (Piedmont, Italy) – $13.99 – smells like Chanel No.5, light as a feather, sweet and heavenly pairing for fresh strawberries & cream

14) Phillips Longboat Chocolate Porter – 650mL Bottle (Canada) – $5.99 – for those looking for a different alternative to a chocolate pairing.

Please contact us if you have special needs in selecting specific wines that would make your Valentine’s Day memorable.

Happy Valentine’s everyone!

(more…)

Author: Dirk Chan

New on Google Maps is a virtual tour of deVine’s – check it out.

View Larger Map

You can take a complete virtual tour of the store, try zooming in and out in various sections, fun!…

(more…)

Author: Dirk Chan

In the early 1970’s, Francis Darroze hunted throughout the Gascony countryside for the best barrels
of Armagnacs from various estates. In more than 40 years, the Darroze Collection grew and today
there is a very impressive selection of 250 different Armagnacs from 30 properties spanning more than
50 vintages. Francis’ son Marc, a trained oenologist takes care of the Armagnac aging today.

Bas Armagnac is a region in southwest France near Gascony, is one of three plantation areas in the
Armagnac area where grapes for the distillation of the Armagnac eau-de-vie can be cultivated. This distinctive brandy is distilled from grapes Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Baco 22A. Volume of production is much smaller than the more famous Cognac region. Armagnac is only distilled once (versus twice in Cognac’s), and is the oldest brandy distilled in France, and in the past was consumed for its therapeutic benefits.

While the law required a minimum of ten years of aging in oak barrels, Darroze will wait 15 or more years before releasing. deVine did a special order for the Darroze Collection of single estate and single vintage Bas Armagnacs for your consideration. Most of the vintages we’ve selected are those vintages where wine at a world wide level were not as successful, so as to provide vintage dated spirits for those hard to find birthyears. Very limited availability on these, so grab while supply lasts.

1963 Francis Darroze Chateau de Gaube – $424.99

1964 Francis Darroze Chateau de Gaube – $424.99

1974 Francis Darroze Domaine de Saubin – $224.99

1979 Francis Darroze Domaine de Busquet – $187.99

1982 Francis Darroze Domaine de Busquet – $181.99

1986 Francis Darroze Domaine de Bertruc – $159.99

1992 Francis Darroze Domaine de Rieston – $144.99

Other vintages not linked but available for sale include 1965, 1966, 1967, 1972, 1983, 1999 and 2000.

(more…)