deVine Thoughts

October 24, 2018

Art Show Meet & Greet

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 5:57 pm

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Author: Ed Fong

Visual Artist Nosheen Pervez will be having an art show at deVine Wines on Saturday, Nov 3 between 4 PM and 6 PM. This will be a fun opportunity to meet Nosheen and view a portfolio of her striking and richly textured art. To see Nosheen’s works, please visit her site at www.nosheenpervez.com

To add to the fun, Jenn Fulford from Crimson Imports will be sampling 3 wines. Jenn will be featuring a sparkling wine from the Loire Valley, a Spanish red and a crisp, zesty New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Also joining us is Travis Watt from Rare Drams. Travis will be pouring a range of whiskies, including Single Grains from Sovereign and drams from Carn Mor, Old Perth and The Big Strand..

This event is in support of Edmonton Food’s Bank. Please find it in your heart to bring a food donation.

For those of you coming to the Whiskies of the World tasting and gala fundraiser that evening that starts at 7pm, you are also welcome to this free drop-in meet and greet. Although this event is sold out, those who really want to come to the gala/fundraiser can bid on a pair of tickets (bidding ends at midnight Oct 28 for these tickets) in our Auction for the Food Bank and the Neon Museum – you can go to the auction page here..


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October 20, 2018

2015 Domaine de la Pousse d’Or

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 3:56 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Domaine de la Pousse d’Or (translates to Golden Earth) is located a few kilometers from Beaune, in the commune of Volnay. It has an enviable position of being an oenophile collector’s favourite for expressive and memorable Burgundies without having to empty the bank account. In 1855, this winery was part of a larger domaine that included the famed Romanee-Conti and Clos de Tart. Originally called La Bousse d’Or until legend Gerard Potel took it over. With 13 hectares of vineyard spread amongst Volnay, Chambolle Musigny and Corton, they have been their own brand since 1964.

Known for their strict selection and seamless and elegant wines, these are tremendous values in the cadillac 2015 vintage, stash them in your cellar for a decade or more.

Pictured left to right:

2015 La Pousse d’Or Volnay Premier Cru en Caillerets (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $131.99


2015 La Pousse d’Or Volnay Clos de la Bousse d’Or Monopole Premier Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $156.99


2015 La Pousse d’Or Volnay Clos d’Audignac Monopole Premier Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $154.99


We’re getting to the end of the buying window for the stupendous 2015 Red Burgundy vintage. With only Jadot to come, we’re now seeing the 2016’s start drifting in. So, we’re advising if you’re interested in having some of this legendary vintage in your cellar to buy sooner than later.

The hype is certainly well deserved, the 2015 Red Burgs are without a doubt the best since 2005 (with even less production) and probably as good as 1990, and some old vigneros comparing it to 1929 that they drank in their youth – high praise all around. We’ve not had a disappointing one yet, even at the lowest Bourgogne level – it is a no-brainer vintage and as with all great years, the pricing will escalate for what is available as the years go by.

Here is a complete list of what’s available from 2015:

2015 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogue Chambolle Musigny Premiere Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Nuits, France) – $334.99


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2015 Domaine Pavelot Savigny les Beaune Premier Cru La Dominode (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – 1.5L – $159.99


2015 Domaine Herve Sigaut Chambolle Musigny Premier Cru Les Sentiers Vieilles Vignes (Burgundy – Cote de Nuits, France) – $134.99


2015 Daniel Rion et Fils Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Vignerondes Premier Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Nuits, France) – $109.99


2015 Domaine Pavelot Savigny les Beaune Premier Cru La Dominode (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $79.99


2015 Domaine Roux Pere & Fils Aloxe Corton Les Boutieres (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) $77.99


2015 Domaine Lucien Jacob Savigny-Vergelesses Premiere Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $55.99


2015 Domaine Arlaud Roncevie Bourgogne (Burgundy, France) – $49.99


2015 Paul Garaudet Cuvée Paul Monthelie (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $49.99


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2015 Domaine Pavelot Savigny les Beaune (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $44.99


2015 Paul Garaudet Bourgogne (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $39.99


2015 Maison Lejeune Bourgogne Passetoutgrain (Burgundy, France) – $29.99


2015 Alain Geoffroy Bourgogne (Burgundy, France) – $27.99


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October 19, 2018

2016 Vintage Ports with Roy Hersh

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 5:37 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

The 2016 Port Vintage is the first general declaration since the 2011. With the 2016s, they are definitely going to make a splash – the growing season got off to a late start, following a very rainy spring that would make the different later during harvest time. As is typical of the Douro Valley, they entered into its typically hot and dry period in June and July, the vines had enough water reserves to help them along, with only a few areas suffering from hydric stress. A light rain came in a timely fashion on Sept. 13, to give the vineyards a freshening, and with the vintage running a week behind, growers could take advantage of ideal weather conditions into October, picking the later-ripening varieties such as Touriga Franca at optimum quality.

The 2016 Vintage Ports really are exceptional, with some of the most refined tannins ever, supporting gorgeous red fruit flavours while being extraordinarily intense, purple colour. The wines have impressive structure and balance, with Baumés, acidity, tannins and colour in rare and perfect alignment. This is certainly a vintage to include in your cellar to enjoy in your later years or to celebrate a significant year.

Production of each of the 2016 Vintage Ports is approximately 1/5 below the previously declared 2011’s with a very rigorous selection by most houses.

As is customary, deVine welcomes world renown Port expert Roy Hersh from Seattle here for a sit-down tasting of seven 2016 Vintage Ports on the Remembrance Day Friday, November 9 at 7:30 – $105/person.

We special order small amounts of half bottles (splits) of both the Taylor and Fonseca 2016, and those who attend the tasting will have first dibs at the smaller format, which wil drink at peak sooner, and better suited for smaller size gatherings.

Rumours are circulating quietly about a general declaration for 2017 – if so, it would be a first to have back to back vintages declared – you can ask Roy about this.

Book your seat here..

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October 15, 2018

Final Travel Blog – Villa Matilde

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 6:47 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

My last visit in the huge Campania region involved driving for a couple of hours Northwest of Salerno (instead of northeast as per previous winery visits), past Naples to visit at Villa Matilde (on a sunday afternoon no less) with Sommelier Andrea del Mastro, who is also leaning some of the Export Director role duties as well. He first took me on his truck through some rocky terrain to reach the main vineyards of Villa Matilde.

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Villa Matilde is in the northern part of Campania which has a different climate than the south. Their Falerno del Massico wines are surrounded by ex-volcanoes on all sides, and because of this, the Aglianico grapes are bigger than those visited in Vulture, they are also picked 3-4 weeks earlier as well. Famed enologist Riccardo Cotarella has been consulting here since 1996.

The Falerno del Massico Bianco is floral giving the illusion it should be sweet on the palate, but no, its got some angular fruit with a surprising saline finish – would be amazing with a deep fried fish mixed plate and some freshly squeezed lemons!

Their single vineyard bottling Vigna Camarato Falerno del Massico was impressive, 80-20 Aglianico and indigenous and intriguing Piedirosso (the latter very black curranty, juicy and no tannin) grape made for a most intriguing mix – graphite, minerals yet beautiful currant fruit! Love the Piedirosso wines, will be bringing some in.

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I then had a lovely three course lunch at the outdoors restaurant on the site. So pleasant, the food marvelous – a melt in your mouth parmigiana, a assorted mushroom and string bean vegetarian lasagna and a bbq’s steak and potatoes – another wonderful hour and a half with of course more Matilde wines. Well worth the two hour drive.

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We have the lovely Falerno del Massico Bianco available for your consideration at the store, with a couple more to come:

2017 Villa Matilde Falerno del Massico Bianco (Campania, Italy) – $29.99

A link to the previous travel blog here..

Many thanks to Empson Canada for setting up this visit and many thanks for all of you who have followed my travel blog, it was a great experience for yours truly.

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October 12, 2018

Port Tasting with Oscar Quevedo Jr.

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 6:39 pm

oscar_quevedo_smallAuthor: Dirk Chan

The Quevedo Port brand only started in 1991, but for generations before, the great grand parents of Oscar Quevedo Jr. has been doing wine for a long time. On Thursday, October 18 at 7pm, deVine welcomes owner Oscar at the store as he presents his family’s white ports, tawny ports, ruby port and vintage ports in this special sit-down port tasting. There are some gems to be tasted along with discussion and fun banter.

Porto Quevedo is part of a new generation of small family wineries based in the Douro. For many years, these families were growing grapes, and making Port wine, for merchants based in Vila Nova de Gaia. Now they are marketing their own brand.

In order to assure the best grapes year after year, we started to extend our vineyards up to the 100 ha, as we currently cultivate in the rough sub-regions of Cima-Corgo and Douro-Superior, where the Douro traditional varieties prevail.

It’s not everyday you get a winery owner in Edmonton to talk about their product, so book your spot real soon to avoid disappointment.

Book your seat here..

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October 3, 2018

Feudi di San Gregorio Visit

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 7:31 am

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Author: Dirk Chan

Not too far from Mastroberardino and up very winding roads at 500m above seal level, is the other famous Campanian winery Feudi di San Gregorio whom deVine has had a long relationship with. I visited with Lyllian Mele on a lovely afternoon. What was immediately obvious was how big this operation is – here is one of the biggest in production with over 4 million bottles produced annually.

Although a young winery (started in 1986), they have over 300 hectares of planted vines, and 850 different parcels of land with vines amongst the villages Sorbo Serpico (where the winery resides). In time, this was joined by the vineyards of Tufo, Taurasi and Santa Paolina.

Feudi is a strong advocate for the local grape varieties Aglianico, Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo. The Taurasi is the “Barolo of the south” – Taurasi is a DOCG since 1993, it represents the apogee of what the Aglianico grape can do, and although there are many Taurasi wines being produced by many producers in the area, the Feudi version represents a large percentage of its production and is sold everywhere and also often awarded for its elegance and refinement.

Quite modern in approach (with tight security) but respecting the past and traditional practices, they have over 350 stainless steel tanks in use. Surprisingly only 30% of the production is exported (to 50 countries), with the other 70% remaining in Italy.

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We went outside and saw the lovely gardens overlooking the white grapes, then we were lucky to see the first of the Falanghina grapes being brought into the winery for de-stemming (see pictures). After the winery and cellar tour, we tasted a lovely DUBL Sparkling Aglianico, the classic Fiano di Avellino, and the magnificent Piano di Montevergine, Taurasi Riserva DOCG, 2012 all three excellent and typical of the grapes.

My favourite is their flagship Serpico, produced from century old vines of Aglianico.

We have four Feudi di San Gregorio wines in stock for your consideration:

2016 Feudi di San Gregorio Primitivo (Alberello, Italy) – $21.99

2014 Feudi di San Gregorio Rubrato (Campania, Italy) – $31.99

2012 Feudi di San Gregorio Taurasi (Campania, Italy) – $49.99

2012 Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico (Campania, Italy) – $109.99

A link to the previous travel blog here..

Next up – Villa Matilde..

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Ruinart Champagne Dinner at the Butternut Tree

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 7:13 am

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Ruinart_ButternutTree_Invite


Author: Dirk Chan

On Monday, October 15, there will be a Champagne Ruinart food and wine pairing dinner at the Butternut Tree Restaurant (9707 110 St NW #101). where Chef Scott Downy will be preparing a four course dinner to pair with four special Champagnes from house Ruinart, a favourite of ours. The cost is $145 per person.

Champagnes featured are:
Reserve your seat by calling the Butternut Tree – 780-760-2771 or by email info@thebutternuttree.ca

Seating is limited.

The 4 Ruinarts tasted are:

NV Ruinart R de Ruinart Brut (Champagne, France) – $84.99

NV Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut (Champagne, France) – $109.99

NV Ruinart Brut Rosé (Champagne, France) – $109.99

We will be bringing in the showcase Champagne – the 2004 Ruinart Dom Vintage Dated Blanc de Blancs- $254.99 just for this dinner.

See the full size postcard for this event here..

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October 1, 2018

Riedel Glass Tasting

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 9:57 am

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Author: Dirk Chan

Riedel (pronounced Ree-dle) is the industry standard for stemware and decanters for the wine connoisseur – it has b an illustrious history – family owned in Bohemia since 1756 (the same year as Mozart’s birthyear – it’s been that long!). With expert craftsmanship and a creative design team, their stemware and decanters are in high end restaurants and regular homes alike. It’s claim to fame is that the stemware was specifically and scientifically designed so the first hit on your tongue accentuates the qualities of the grape varietal that the glass was designed for.

It’s been over a decade since we last had a Riedel Glass Tasting. deVine welcomes Alysha Harker, Regional Manager from Riedel Canada who will be coming in from Vancouver to do this presentation and wine tasting on Saturday, October 13th @ 7pm – $110/person. We will taste wine in the Veritas Line of Riedel stems, featuring the Pinot Noir, Syrah and Cabernet/Merlot glasses and best of all, you will take these stems home with you after the event in a three-pack box!

For those who don’t believe stemware makes a big difference in terms of wine enjoyment, this will be an eye-opening and life changing experience. For the converted, this will reinforce the importance of these varietally-designed stems that are recognized the world over by oenophiles.

We need 34 attendees to make this a go as there are a lot of moving parts, so we’re asking everyone to book by the latest midnight Sunday, September 30 as we will make the go-nogo decision then. You can register here..! This is a sit-down tasting.

Besides your set from the tasting, we are taking pre-orders for additional sets – $89.99/set. As we will be getting a deal from Riedel that we’re passing on to you (regular price is $129.99), these must be pre-ordered when you register for this event online. Please click this link – $89.99 to order more sets. As this is a one shot deal, there won’t be extra sets for sale at the event, you must pre-order it.

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