deVine Thoughts

July 28, 2015

deVine Guide to Gin

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 9:42 am

african_queenAuthor: Jim Phelan

In just less than one month, deVine Wines & Spirits will be hosting a guided sit-down Gin tasting. Gin has not only become a craved bartending staple with a renaissance of the cocktail scene, but has experienced one of the most storied and fascinating histories of perhaps any alcoholic beverage. Don’t believe us? Here’s just a bit of an, ahem… taste.

Did you know:

Did you know gin was originally administered to combat soldiers in the age of colonialism? It was a delivery mechanism for quinine, which reduced pain and inflammation, while combating fever, malaria, and cardiac arrhythmia. Consumption was regimented ritually during the morning call to just before raising the flag, which indicates everything you need to know about how foul these early cordials tasted. Eventually this tonic became a better mix of soda and sugar that turned into today’s ubiquitous gin & tonic.

Did you know that the first product placement on the big screen was for gin? In 1951’s The African Queen, film legend Katharine Hepburn empties and tosses bottles of Gordon’s Gin overboard, informing her sailing companion that “This a dry ship.” Believe it or not, the brand agreed to this!

poster

Keeping with our sailing themes, did you know that Gin became Britain’s adopted spirit when British soldier fighting alongside the Dutch noticed the effects the liquid courage had on the Netherlands’ soldiers when they took a swig before battle. The British of course sailed the spirit home and found that when combined with angostura bitters, the resulting cocktail also made an effective respite to sea sickness. This was Pink Gin.

Did you know that the gin-based Tom Collins cocktail came from a rather silly hoax? Across 1874 New England, strangers at a bar would start a conversation with “Have you seen Tom Collins?” When the listener would reply that they know no such man, the speaker’s goal was to agitate the listener by details the ways Tom Collins was belittling the listener behind his back, and that Mr Collins was just around the corner. The goal was to enrage the listener so much that they would run out trying to chase down this non-existent man. The hoax became so popular that in 1876 the Tom Collins cocktail, comprised of gin, simple syrup and lemon juice, was born in New York City, (probably) based of the same hoax.

“Tom Collins Still Among Us.” “This individual kept up his nefarious business of slandering our citizens all day yesterday. But we believe that he succeeded in keeping out of the way of his pursuers. In several instances he came well nigh being caught, having left certain places but a very few moments before the arrival of those who were hunting him. His movements are watched to-day with the utmost vigilance.” – Article from The Decatur Daily Republican in June 1874.

pink_gin

There’s far more where that came from, in addition to some wonderfully tasty spirits! For more information and to sign up for the devine Guide to Gin tasting on Saturday, August 15th, 2015 at 7:00pm, click here..

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July 23, 2015

Veuve Clicquot RICH

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 3:10 pm

veuve_rich3

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

(more…)

Al Fresco is back!

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 3:00 pm

alfresco_food_bank2Author: 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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July 22, 2015

Veuve Clicquot RICH

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 4:12 pm

veuve_rich3

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

(more…)

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