deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Since 1988, the popular American wine publication Wine Spectator has unveiled their Top 100 list of the most exciting wines of the past twelve months. These 100 wines reflect significant trends, recognize outstanding producers and spotlight successful regions and vintages around the world.

Upon reviewing 16,000 per year, it has become very trendy to acquire wines that made the grade. For 2011, twelve countries are represented (unfortunately, no Canadian wines were cited again) with an average price per bottle this year being $44. For the second year in a row, the list is American dominated.

The availability this year was the most scarce of any year since our store’s opening (with the #1 Wine Kosta Browne Pinot Noir once again long sold out at the cellar door) and though we managed to secure enough wines to do our popular Wine Spectator tasting, there are only a handful for sale this year so grab these while they last. See the available wines here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

Join us and other 4th Street Promenade businesses for Mercury Opera’s 104 Underground – an operascape scheduled for Friday, November 25th.

Starting with a Downtown 104th Street promenade where you visit four sites for drinks and appetizers, followed by the underground operatic performance on the Bay/Enterprise Square LRT Station platform (Jasper Avenue at 104th Street stop) – the performance begins when the 8:15pm train pulls into the station.

Tickets can be purchased in person (CASH ONLY please) at the following pod stops on the 104th Street Promenade – deVine Wines & Spirits, Eyecare Group, Coup garment boutique and 29 Armstrong. Tickets will be exchanged for wrist bands.

$2.85 from each sale will be donated to the ETS Donate a Ride program. All patrons are encouraged to use the transit system to get to the event.

Additional information at the Mercury Opera website here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

deVine, Rick Snider of Philippe Dandurand Wines and Sabor Divino are proud to present a dinner with Winemaker Domingo Soares Franco and Export Director Miguel Azevedo Remedio of Jose Maria da Fonseca this coming Tuesday, November 22 at 6pm at Sabor Divino.

Enjoy a five course dinner with five matching wines and a Vintage port for dessert. Only 20 seats available on a first come first served basis.

The Menu:

Reception: Twin Vines Vinho verde
First course: Periquita Branco paired with Bacalhau Divino
Second course: Fonseca Sousa Mayor paired with Sardines in Romesco sauce
Third course: Periquita Reserva paired with Queijo da Serre stuffed Beef Tenderloin with pink peppercorn and vanilla jus
Fourth course: Domini Plus paired with Wild boar chop and Feijoada
Fifth course: Vintage Port 2003 paired with chocolate, almonds and stilton cheese

Booking is only available at the Sabor Divino website here.. or by phone at 780-757-1114
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Author: Dirk Chan

The first session of eighty people for the annual Best Bang for the Buck tasting was sold out more than a month in advance of the event. The response has been so good that we are offering a second session of this ever popular December event for Thursday, December 15th at 7pm. The lineup for both stand-up tastings will be identical.

The theme is wines that cost $20 or less that represent superb value. We all want great quality for price ratio wines and this is the event to stock up on and buy by the case. With the additional 10% tasting discount, it becomes a supreme bargain both for your own consumption and as gifts.

Already over 40 seats has been sold for this second tasting so please book now to avoid disappointment. You can register here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

The Wine Regions series comes to an end with a visit to Spain where we’ll be discovering the wine producing regions of Rias Biaxas (predominantly whites) followed by Rueda, Ribera del Duero and Jumilla.

The whites of Rias Biaxas in northwestern Spain is famous the their Albarino’s, a majestic white grape for pairing up with Tapas, especially good with seafood dishes.

Rueda is situated in the province of Segovia and Valladolid covering 8,000 hectares and over fifty different estates – the prominant grapes here are Verdejo and Viura for whites, and the classic Tempranillo with some Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Garnacha for red varietals.

The famous Ribera del Duero resides in the country’s northern central plateau that winds along the Duero River. With its flat rocky terrain, it is home to world famous Vega Sicilia and Pesquera reds. The Tempranillo grape is king here.

Finally, if you want bargains and best bang for the buck wines, you’ll leap to Jumilla in south eastern Spain in the province of Murcia close to the town of Yecla. – here the dominant grape is the Monastrell (or Mourvedre).

Lots to sample and only a few seats left for this tasting so book early here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

deVine will be re-opening for business Monday, November 7th at 10am and back to our regular hours. Thanks for your patience, and again, our apologies for any inconvenience due to the closure this past weekend.

Author: Dirk Chan

Due to a renovation accident in the Birk’s Building that flooded our store space, deVine will be closed for business until the water damage is repaired. The current estimate is we will be reopening sometime on Monday, November 7th.

Please check this website for regular updates. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.