deVine Thoughts

May 31, 2010

2nd Annual Al Fresco 104th Street Block Party

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 10:25 pm

AlFresco2010Author: Nick Tooke

It’s “Al Fresco” time again, everyone, only bigger and better this year. The “if you build it they will come” epithet could not have found more eloquent proof last year than our hare-brained scheme to bring Edmontonians downtown for one almighty block party offering food, fine wine, fashion, film, and all things urban, all for a worthy cause. This year’s charity is E4C’s Edmonton School Lunch Program, an organization dedicated to supplying nutritious food to needy children all over the city, and with some of the cutbacks this year, they need your help more than ever. So please join us again this Saturday June 12th. Here is a taste of what’s in store:

Two sound stages this year – one live, one DJ’d by Junior Brown. A half-pipe set up for skateboarding, a repeat of the wildly successful Portuguese BBQ, a crostini bar by Red Star’s Daniel Costa, licensed patios by Tzin, Lit and Blue Plate Diner. deVine’s wine-tasting – only it’s al fresco this year, as it should be – beneath two giant tents, and, of course, another movie to cap it all off, free of charge. This year’s movie is “Chocolat” with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp, and it will show in a perfect auditorium under the stars – Melcor’s parking Lot between 29 Armstrong and the Saddlery building, with free pop and popcorn by Sobeys and way too much Kerstin’s chocolate to nibble on while you watch.

The auction webpage is up and running now, please bookmark and visit the page
here. More items are added daily leading up to the big event so come back often.

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May 16, 2010

Thank You from deVine Wines!

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 9:49 am

vue_thank_yougolden_fork1

Author: Ed Fong

Every year, readers of Vue and See Magazines vote to choose their top picks in a wide range of fan favorite categories. The results are now in, and once again, readers have made us winners!

For the third year in a row, Vue readers selected deVine Wines & Spirits as their pick for Best Wine Store! Thanks to all who voted to give us a hat trick in the Golden Forks Award! Your vote of confidence is greatly appreciated.

deVine Wines would like to congratulate our following partners for winning their Golden Forks Award in the Independent Business Category:

Hardware Grill – Located at 9698 Jasper Avenue. Please visit them online at www.hardwaregrill.com.

Best Appetizers, Best Fine Dining Restaurant, Best Pre-theatre Dining, Best Wine List, Best Service

Congratulations Larry and Melinda for a job well done! You cleaned up!

Blue Plate Diner – Located at 10145-104th Street. Visit them online at www.blueplatediner.ca.

Best Atmosphere, Best Mid-priced Restaurant, Most Kid Friendly Restaurant

Congratulations John & Rima for becoming a 104th-Street institution!

Tzin Wine & Tapas – Located at 10115-104th Street. Visit them online at www.tzin.ca.

Best Tapas Restaurant

Congratulations Kelsey! Truly Edmonton’s sexiest wine bar and our next door neighbor.

We all hope to see you downtown for some great fun, food and wine!

For the third year in a row, readers of See Magazine chose deVine Wines as their pick for Best Wine Shop! Thank you for keeping the streak alive!

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May 11, 2010

Downtown Farmer’s Market Opens Saturday, May 15

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 4:53 pm

city_market2city_market3Author: Ed Fong

The long awaited opening of our beloved Farmers’ Market is fast approaching. This year’s market will be bigger and more actioned packed than ever. So come on down and welcome the returning vendors and introduce yourself to the new faces joining the City Market for the first time. Shoppers looking for local meats, seasonal produce, delicious baked goods and unique craft items will not be disappointed. Kickoff is at 9:00 AM sharp, rain or shine. For more information, visit the City Market website at www.city-market.ca

May 15 Opening Day festivities begin at 11:00 AM when the City Market acknowledges its supporters and welcomes Mayor Mandel who will bring greetings from the City of Edmonton. Everyone is invited to join our mayor and VIPs who will ring their market bells to announce the opening of the 2010 market season. This event will take place at the 102nd Avenue intersection.

This year, the City Market will introduce a series of monthly cultural festivals. On May 15, the City Market will launch the first of its five festivals by celebrating Chinese culture. The Chinese Cultural Festival will feature a Lion and Dragon Dance, Chinese cuisine and other activities celebrating Chinese culture. All activities will be centered on the 102nd Avenue intersection throughout the day and will begin right after the bell ringing at 11:05 AM.

In keeping with the spirit of the celebration, deVine Wines will be offering free samples of Chinese wine and beer in the store between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Yes, you heard correctly! Chinese wine! This will be a first for many, so don’t pass on this exciting opportunity. We will be sampling the Changyu Cabernet Geruischt Red (the only place in the world where this old Bordeaux grape is still surviving) and Changyu Noble Dragon White. Three beers will be available for sampling as well: Pearl River Zhu Jiang Beer, Tsingtao Beer and Yanjing Beer. Perhaps you will experience your epiphany for an ultimate wine pairing with sticky rice.

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May 5, 2010

Paul Hobb’s Pre-Sell

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 9:46 am

dr_craneAuthor: Dirk Chan

Famed American wine critic Robert Parker calls the 2007 California vintage for Bordeaux varietals as the greatest since 2001 and 2002. Not as tannic as those vintages, the 2007’s have “intense fruit, charm and seductiveness with freshness, delineation and laser-like focus”. To support his claim, he promptly doled out twelve 100 point wines.

Paul Hobbs is one of the wine world’s top consultants whose own California projects are augmented by his superb work in Argentina (El Felino wines). deVine is offering a pre-sell only of the 2007 Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – $209.99. Please submit your order ONLINE here before Tuesday, May 11 at noon. This special order is a one time offer and there will be no second chances to purchase more.

There are only 586 cases of this high scoring red (Wine Spectator 97, Robert Parker 96 points respectively).

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