deVine Thoughts

September 27, 2021

Weekly Online Offer for Sep 27/21

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 11:22 am

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2015 Hacienda Los Haroldos Reserva Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) – $21.99, regularly $25.99.

Dating back to 1939, Haroldo Santos Falasco, known as “Don Lolo”, began to walk the streets of his small hometown called Chacabuco to market his wines. 70+ years later, Los Haroldos has been recognized due to its constant effort to advance innovation, technology with team work and hard work to produce high quality wines with character and style.

Jorge Falasco, current director of the company and part of the 3rd generation family in charge, along with his children, of continuing his father’s legacy of creating wines of excellence and quality for our country and the world.
The name “Los Haroldos” was chosen by Jorge himself, who wanted to honor his father and brother, who shared the same name. The angel rising a glass represents all the family angels that we no longer have the joy of having among us.

The use of grapes from wines grown on different soil climates and regions in Mendoza, where winters are chilly, and summers are dry and warm, nights are cool, soil are rich and melt water from the Andes is used for irrigating them, allows for a high quality products across the entire line.

Look for a deep red color in this Reserva Malbec with very intense violet shades that is clean and shiny. The nose is a complex aroma of berry, cherry, plum and raspberry with traces of creamy smoke, some mint and chocolate. The palate is unctuous with ripe tannins in a very well-balanced package ending with good astringency and acidity. It is an ideal companion for red meat, game and hard cheeses.

2015 Hacienda Los Haroldos Reserva Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) – $21.99 (regularly $25.99)

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September 20, 2021

Weekly Online Offer for Sep 20/21

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 11:51 am

weekly_875m_smallAuthor: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2018 El Coto de Rioja 875m Finca Carbonera Tempranillo (Rioja, Spain) – $23.99, regularly $28.99.

El Coto de Rioja was founded in 1970. 50+ years on, the winemaking philosophy considers the vineyard as the main source of quality. El Coto de Rioja have 1804 acres of their own vineyards located all over the Rioja DOC, which allows them to control and guarantee the quality of their wines.

The key to their success has been to offer top quality products at a very competitive price, which makes their wines perfect both for daily pleasure as well as to celebrate the most special occasions.

The name of 875m of this young red wine refers to its estate of origin and the altitude meters at which it is located, being from the vineyard located in the highest location in the DO Ca. Rioja . How could it be otherwise, freshness is the quality that best defends this Tempranillo monovarietal , rounded after a 9-month barrel aging.

So, take advantage of this brand new introductory offer for this red with a sense of terroir hailing from nine hectares of vineyards over 20 years old, planted at 875 meters above sea level that the winery owns in Finca Carbonera. Freshness is a the trademark of this 2018, with great acidity, intense and with a great variety of nuances ending with a lengthy and smooth finish. A fine value for the quality here. Try with a pork chickpea stew.

2018 El Coto de Rioja 875M Finca Carbonera Tempranillo Tinto de Altura (Rioja, Spain) – $23.99 (regularly $28.99)

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September 15, 2021

Affordable Magnums

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 2:18 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Magnums (1.5L bottles) are the perfect size for big parties, but it has the misconception that its expensive. Well, we’ll dispel that by showcasing a half dozen affordable magnums for your consideration.

First, pictured left to right:

2014 Quinta de Cabriz Colheita Selecionada (Dao, Portugal) – 1.5L – $45.99

2017 Illuminati Riparosso Montepulciano (Abruzzi, Italy) – 1.5L – $44.99

2018 Neil Ellis Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – 1.5L – $61.99

2016 d’Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia) – 1.5L – $64.99

Other available inexpensive magnums:

NV Domaine Rosier Cuvee Ma Maison Rose Cremant de Limoux (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – 1.5L – $49.99

2018 Quinta Dona Mafalda Little Mafalda Tinto (Douro, Portugal) – 1.5L – $41.99

2018 Vidigal Porta 6 (Lisboa, Portugal) – 1.5L – $34.99

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September 13, 2021

Weekly Online Offer for Sep 13/2021

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 11:21 am

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2017 Cune Crianza (Rioja, Spain) – $16.99, regularly $20.99).

The history of Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España began back in 1879 (making them one of the oldest wineries in Spain) at this winery in the famous Barrio de la Estación train station in the town of Haro. Over more than 140 years, it has continued to grow around the Aldea del Vino (Wine Village), a sunny courtyard flanked by unique stone buildings with ceramic tile roofs, which has become the central hub of CVNE.

The first wine produced by CVNE took the name of the company’s initials. However, a simple and fortunate spelling error, confusing the V with a U, led to the creation of the now iconic Cune brand, now one of the leading wineries on the national market. The winery expanded its facilities in 2019, coinciding with its 140th anniversary and marking its continued commitment to producing the finest quality white, rosé and its various levels of red wines ranging from Crianzas to Gran Reserva’s.

The 2017 Crianza is light/medium bodied in style, it has fine purity. This mostly Tempranillo (85%) based red offers berries, tobacco and spice. Not a jam bomb, it finishes with licorice, smoke and a touch of orange peel. This is a fine everyday drinking wine to have with dinner. Well-priced and meant for earlier consumption. Pair with Mediterranean fare.

2017 Cune Crianza (Rioja, Spain) – $16.99 (regularly $20.99)

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September 6, 2021

Weekly Online Offer for Sep 6/21

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 9:29 am

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2019 Parras Wines Castelo do Sulco Selecao dos Enologos (Lisboa, Portugal) – $14.99, regularly $20.49.

The Geographical Indication (IG) Lisboa is one of the most important Portuguese wine regions, in terms of both vineyard area and wine production volumes. Formed over gentle hills, IGT Lisboa extends from the capital city of Portugal to the north, always along the coast, that is 40 km wide. The climate is temperate, of Atlantic influence, with mild summers, cooler and wetter in the areas closer to the sea, and warmer and drier in the areas protected by the Montejunto mountain.

Parras Wines makes quality wines for consumers who are increasingly looking for the best quality-price ratio. It is a democratic brand, on offer for young people, tourists, lovers of good gastronomy for socializing among friends. There is a little bit of Lisbon in a bottle. Winemaker Carlos Eduardo has fashioned an easily drinking red from Petit Verdot, Syrah and Touriga Franca, chosen from the best local berries from its unique terroir, more clayey and limestone. It sees some French oak to add complexity, thus making the wine fresh and full. Great for everyday drinking.

2019 Castelo do Sulco Selecao dos Enologos (Lisboa, Portugal) – $14.99 (regularly $20.49)

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September 1, 2021

Hello Morocco!

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 11:38 am

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Author: Dirk Chan

The Domaine des Ouled Thaleb is situated 50km NE of Casablanca (the economic hub), in the region of Benslimane, AOG Zenata in northern Africa.

Winemaking in this North African nation dates way back as there is evidence to suggest the Phoenician settlers, from the area of modern-day Lebanon, first introduced vines to the region we now know as Morocco and the tradition continued through to the Roman era. The art of enology was lost here in the 7th century due to Islamic bans on alcohol, but French colonization in the 19th and early 20th centuries led to the return of both winemaking and social drinking.

Today, the country produces about 40 million bottles of wine annually, but only about 5 percent is exported and we are thrilled to introduced these wines to you. Established in 1923 and as the oldest winery in the country, the Ouled Thaleb wines are elegantly styled wines with structure and great freshness.

Although much of Morocco’s wine expertise has its origins in France, unsurprisingly, the grape varieties which thrive in North Africa are red (75%) and are those which also do well across the Mediterranean in the Iberian Peninsula, including Carignan, Cinsaut, Alicante, and Grenache. More recently, popular varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah have been cultivated in Morocco and makeup around 15% of the market.

Try these wines, they are a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered…try with grilled red meats…

Pictured left to right:

2018 Domaine des Ouled Thaleb Imperiale Red (Morocco) – $17.99

2018 Domaine des Ouled Thaleb CB Signature (Morocco) – $25.99

2017 Domaine des Ouled Thaleb S de Siroua Syrah (Morocco) – $20.99

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