deVine Thoughts

March 31, 2021

Easter Dinner Wine Recommendations

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 2:34 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Easter is this coming weekend, and you’ll want some celebratory wines to accompany turkey & ham dinner or that special meal you’ll be preparing for your loved ones.

We receive many requests for food and wine pairings for this festive weekend so please contact us sooner than later for the best available selection and recommendations. If you have special needs, please let us know and we’ll be glad to help. Enjoy the long weekend everyone.

Our store hours this weekend are:

Good Friday: 12-5pm
Saturday: 11-6pm
Easter Sunday: Closed

In the meantime, those looking for the classic pairings with turkey, ham and all the regular fixings, please see below some of our current favourites:

Start your evening off with a sparkling wine, followed by whites, reds, a dessert wine and perhaps a little meditation course for digestifs or Port.

Sparkling Wines

Sparkling wines are a great way to start any gathering whether its a greeting aperitif or to pair with appetizers. Lively and clean, these will get everyone’s palate ready for what’s to come next:

NV Jaume Serra Castelfino Brut Cava (Penedès, Spain) – $16.99


NV La Jara Brut Prosecco (Veneto, Italy) – $18.99


NV Varichon & Clerc Privilege Rose Dry (Burgundy, France) – $21.99


2019 Huber Gruner Veltliner Blanc de Blancs Brut (Traisental, Austria) – $39.99

Champagne

Now if you serve Champagne, your audience will immediately know you’re here to do some serious partaking and celebrating:

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NV Champagne Baron-Fuente Grande Reserve Brut (Champagne, France) – $52.99


2013 Champagne Lancelot Pienne Brut Accord Majeur (Champagne, France) – $74.99


2008 Champagne Gardet Charles Rose de Saignee Brut Premier Cru (Champagne, France) – $109.99


NV Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru (Champagne, France)- $149.99


2004 Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $359.99

Whites & Pinks

Whites with a touch of sweetness is preferred because of the sweetness of some of the fixings – candied yams, cranberry sauce, and honey for the glazed ham. A completely dry white will seem more austere and void of fruit due to the sweetness of the food so I recommend Rieslings (dry or off-dry, both work), Gewurztraminers or other Germanic or Alsace varietals. Having said that, some will always go with a dry creamy Chardonnay or Chenon irregardless and that’s perfectly fine. Also, don’t forget that rosés work really well too!

2019 La Playa Chardonnay Un-Oaked (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $15.99


2018 La Peyriere Cuvee Prestige (Bordeaux, France) – $19.99


2019 Cave de Saumur Chenin Blanc Les Pouches (Loire Valley, France) – $21.99


2017 Dr. Heinz Wagner Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Spätlese (Mosel, Germany) – $37.99


2019 Domaine Delaporte Sancerre Chavignol (Loire Valley, France) – $42.99


2019 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay (Walker Bay, South Africa) – $64.99


2017 Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett (Mosel, Germany) – $144.99


2020 Agricola Gorgo Bardolino Chiaretto (Veneto, Italy) – $19.99


NV Johannes Zillinger Revolution Pink Solera (Weinviertel, Austria) – $34.99


Reds

For reds, try to avoid the big oaky tannic monsters. Oak and tannins are the enemies when pairing with slightly sweet food, try for a red with lots of up-front fruit, little oak and a soft tannins like a Beaujolais (served slightly chilled) or a Pinot Noir.

2018 Azul y Garanza Fiesta (Navarra, Spain) – $17.99


2018 Novaia Valpolicella Classico (Veneto, Italy) – $21.49

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2016 Tommasi Masseria Surani Heracles Primitivo (Campania, Italy) – $24.99


2017 Malivoire Small Lot Gamay (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – $28.99


2017 Cantine Barbera Perricone Microcosmo (Sicily, Italy) – $47.99


2015 Château de la Font du Loup (Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France) – $59.99


2014 Louis Jadot Beaune Boucherottes Premier Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $79.99


2011 Cune Imperial Gran Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $92.99


1969 Adega Viuva Gomes Collares Reserva Tinto (Colares, Portugal) – $144.99


2004 Château L’Eglise-Clinet (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $234.99


2005 Château La Providence (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $299.99


Dessert

As for dessert, remember dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert itself:

2019 Gruber Roschitz Beerenauslese Chardonnay (Weinviertel, Austria) – 375mL – $39.99


2016 Château Guiraud (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 375mL – $59.99


2009 Zsirai Winery Tokaji Aszu 6 Puttonyos (Villany, Hungary) – 500mL – $74.99


2009 Domaine Huet Cuvee Constance (Loire Valley, France) – 375mL – $169.99
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Port (Post Dinner)

Port is always good for the final touches of a meal:

Taylor Fladgate NV Historic Limited Edition Reserve Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $54.99


2008 Fonseca Quinta do Panascal Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $74.99


1977 Messias Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $134.99


1965 Krohn Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $309.99


1957 Kopke Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $349.99


Happy Easter all!

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March 29, 2021

Weekly Online Offer for March 29

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 10:19 am

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Author: Dirk Chan

Chapoutier, or Maison M. Chapoutier, is a winery and négociant business situated in Tain-l’Hermitage in the Rhône region in France. Chapoutier produces wine from appellations all across the Rhône region, including our weekly online offer this week – the 2016 Crozes Hermitage Les Meysonniers – $24.99 (regularly $30.99). Chapoutier’s wines garner a lot of accolades and attention because of its quality and consistency. His wine labels are also distinctive as well because of their inclusion of Braille writing on all its labels since 1996 and many are certified organic including this red.

This is made from Syrah from the lower slopes and the flats south and east of the famed Hermitage Hill. The nose offers florals – violets, black pepper, an attractive meaty and leathery scents with a twist of smoky garrigue. The attack is more elegant than you might expect with meaty, peppery, savoury hints, roasted peppers and dried provencal herbs. The finish is of ripe cherries, plums and earthy hints with soft tannins. Lovely with a wintery stew.

2016 M. Chapoutier Crozes-Hermitage Les Meysonniers (Rhone Valley, France) – $24.99 (regularly $30.99)

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Mini Online Auction In Support of Edmonton Food Bank – Ends 9pm Wednesday, March 31

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 10:14 am

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Author: Dirk Chan

We’re doing a mini-auction of some fine wines in support of the Edmonton Food Bank. Any contribution is worthwhile in these times and we hope you’ll participate in this online auction. There is a lovely Fladgate Partnership gift basket with a great selection of Vintage and Ruby ports. As well, a couple of splits from the legendary 2001 Sauterne vintage. Please submit bids via email in minimum $10 increments or alternatively submit a reserve bid. The auction ends 9pm, Wednesday, March 31st.

Go to the Auction Page..

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March 27, 2021

The Great 2016 Barolo’s

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 5:55 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Once in a lifetime, there comes a vintage so special that it receives unanimous accolades from critics, connoisseurs and winemakers alike, and such it is for the great 2016 Barolo Vintage. Hailed as the greatest since 1978 (drinking wonderfully), 1989, 2001 and 2010, the 2016 is a collector’s dream vintage with growing season conditions perfect in every way.

The star grape in Italy’s northern Piedmont wine region is the Nebbiolo grape, named for the misty fog that drifts over the hills at harvest time. While a tricky grape, thin-skinned and difficult to vinify, when fully ripened in a long growing season, it produces something sublime with its haunting blend of licorice, cherry, and floral aromas along with its layers of complex flavors yet elegantly structured are keys to the appeal. Both Barolo’s and Barbaresco’s produced in 2016 are already legendary.

“This is one of the best vintages I’ve ever made, with 35 harvests on my shoulders,” says Luca Currado, winemaker at Vietti, whose vineyards enjoy some of the best locale for Nebbiolo growing. His single vineyard Barolo’s all scored near perfect scores from a slew of critics and we have his Castiglione, a blend from his numerous vineyards on offer.

This is a must for any serious collector. Much like the 1996 and 2010’s when they came around, those who have some of those in their cellar only wish they had bought more. Don’t miss your chance here. The ultra-premiums are extremely rare and expensive already, but these “normales” would be nice in the 10-15 year range.

These wines pictured above from left to right are available in limited quantities and they won’t last so don’t leave it too long…

2016 Rocche Costamagna Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) – $57.99

2016 G. D. Vajra Barolo Albe (Piedmont, Italy) – $63.99

2016 Massolino Filli Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) – $76.99

2016 Mauro Molino Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) – $59.99

2016 Vietti Barolo Castiglione (Piedmont, Italy) – $94.99

Also available:

2016 Vietti Barolo Castiglione (Piedmont, Italy) – 1.5L – $214.99

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March 22, 2021

Weekly Online Offer for March 22

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:10 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our weekly special this week features the 2017 Bodegas Cobertizo Mencia Joven – $16.49 (regularly $21.99) from northwestern Spain in Bierzo, home of the Mencia grape.

The wines from Bodegas Cobertizo are produced complying with the organic production procedures and beyond, with extremely low sulfites, far lower than the European ecological standard limits. Viticulture is rational and sustainable, obtaining the maximum benefits that this land of 22 hectares provides. Everything is done manually in the winemaking process. Love for the land, soil and historic roots all show through in their wines.

Made from 60 year old Mencia vines, ideally south facing and 500+ meters above sea level, this lovely red is full of strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate, baking spice, pepper and black licorice. The well-drained soils of Bierzo are slate and granite shows itself on the rustic, meaty palate. Pair with roasted meats. A marvelous deal at 25% off!!

2017 Bodegas Cobertizo Mencia Joven (Bierzo, Spain) – $16.49 (regularly $21.99)

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March 15, 2021

Mini Online Auction In Support of Edmonton Food Bank

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 3:09 pm

auction_mini_small
Author: Dirk Chan

We’re doing a mini-auction of some fine wines in support of the Edmonton Food Bank. Any contribution is worthwhile in these times and we hope you’ll participate in this online auction. There is a lovely Fladgate Partnership gift basket with a great selection of Vintage and Ruby ports. As well, a couple of splits from the legendary 2001 Sauterne vintage. Please submit bids via email in minimum $10 increments or alternatively submit a reserve bid. The auction ends 9pm, Wednesday, March 31st.

Go to the Auction Page..

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March 14, 2021

Weekly Online Offer for March 15

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:22 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our weekly special this week features the 2003 Hexamer Riesling Spatlese Sobernheimer Marbach (Nahe, Germany) – $37.49 (regularly $49.99).

Harald Hexamer’s meticulous work in the vineyard is marked by pruning to control yields (“often six to eight bunches per wine”) and hand-harvesting. The grapes are picked exclusively by hand and fermented very cold (below 12 degrees celsius) with cooling utilized only when necessary – “but we often pick so late we bring naturally cold fruit — below 10 degrees — back to the winery.” Hexamer handles the wine as little as possible so when tasting the wines, one sees the purity of the vineyards, the intensity of minerality, and remarkable clarity. Hexamer’s wines are balanced in the ultraviolet spectrum; they’re steely, acid-driven, clean, and transparent.

This quite ripe Riesling Spatlese has fine aromatics on the nose – mix of soft tropical qualities and floral notes. Right around medium bodied with good density and the warmth of the 2003 vintage really shows through. Mostly a mix of exotic tropical notes upfront, sweetness through the middle and retains nice structure in the back end. This has the fruit and sweetness to continue to improve even though it is in a nice spot right now and is a great treat for our customers of an aged Riesling at a 25% off discount. Pair with Asian fare or spicy foods.

2003 Hexamer Riesling Spatlese Sobernheimer Marbach (Nahe, Germany) – $37.49 (regularly $49.99)

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March 8, 2021

Weekly Online Offer for March 8

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 1:42 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Cline Cellars is a family owned and operated winery located in the Carneros wine appellation of Sonoma County, California that specializes in Zinfandels and French Rhône-style wines. Owner Fred Cline was one of the first vintners to plant French Rhone varietals in California, and is one of the original Rhone Rangers.

Cline Cellars is best known for production of their “ancient vines” wines out of Contra Costa County and their 2017 Ancient Vines Zinfandel – $21.49 (regularly $26.99) is our Weekly Online Feature of the Week . Head winemaker Charlie Tsegeletos, who joined the operation in 2000, made this Zinfandel primarily from a wide selection of the oldest (more than 100 years old), most historic and shyest-bearing Zinfandel blocks in the Contra Costa County. These ancient, dry-farmed vineyards consistently produces fruit of stunning concentration. This red is also Vegan friendly.

Winemaker Notes: “Our 2017 Ancient Vines Zinfandel shows spicy, bright strawberry, coffee and chocolate characters. Ripe fruit and soft tannins make this a mouth-coating rich vintage. Aging on new and used oak has lent this wine a subtle vanilla quality that nicely complements the explosive fruit notes. Enjoy now or cellar for 5 to 7 years. Accompany this Zin with slow cooked BBQ pork, chicken mole or spinach mushroom casserole.”

2017 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel (California – Contra Costa, United States) – $21.49 (regularly $26.99)

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