deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2020 Mauro Molino Barbera d’Alba (Piedmont, Italy) – $20.99, regularly $25.99.

Established in 1953, the Azienda Agricola Molino, is a leading light in the Barolo region in the Piedmont of Northern Italy. Located near the ancient abbey of S. Martino di Marcenasco and includes one of the most famous crus of the Langhe, “Vigna Conca”, among its vineyards. The estate is famous since 1978, year of the death of the founder Giuseppe, by his son Mauro, an oenologist certified at the well known Oenology Institute of Alba built the reputation of this estate.

The youngest generation run the estate now – Matteo Molino and his younger sister Martina, have taken over the reins from their father and the two now has brought Molino into new international markets travelling to places like Australia, allowing people to discover their impeccable wines made as sustainably as possible.

The company continues to produce wines in Annunziata of La Morra, in the utmost respect of traditions. The total area under vine amounts to 12 hectares, 50% of which is meant for Nebbiolo for Barolo. The rest is devoted to the production of Barbera d’Alba, Dolcetto d’Alba and, in a smaller quantity, of Roero Arneis.

Our feature this week, their Barbera d’Alba has upfront and immediately vibrant cherries and a hint of citrus peel. Violets, black tea and chalk all make appearances on the charming nose. So much to love about the palate, it’s soft and juicy, yet fine and long. Not tannic at all, just lightly framed and lovely. Try with a charcuterie plate.

2020 Mauro Molino Barbera d’Alba (Piedmont, Italy) – $20.99 (regularly $25.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2019 Casa Silva Cool Coast Pinot Noir (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $23.99, regularly $29.99.

The Silva family pioneered grape growing in the Colchagua Valley with the first vineyards back in 1892. Their cellar is the oldest in the valley, yet they strive to innovate in their vineyards and to pioneer new terroirs in the Colchagua Valley. Since its launch, Casa Silva has become widely regarded as one of Chile’s best and named ‘Winery of the Year’ four times, the latest by Catad’Or Wine Awards, the most important international wine competition in Latin America.

Lovely red fruits on the nose with strawberries, cherries and pomegranate followed by some cinnamon. Juicy and refreshing on the palate, this wine has nice raspberries and wild forest fruits flavors. Its cool coastal origin at Paredones adds a refreshing acidity, soft tannins and elegant long finish. Try with grilled salmon.

2019 Casa Silva Cool Coast Pinor Noir (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $23.99 (regularly $29.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2017 Seven Falls Merlot Wahluke Slope (Washington, United States) – $22.49 regularly $27.99.

Inspired by a series of seven waterfalls that once flowed along the Columbia River through what is now known as the Wahluke Slope, this Washington terroir is perfect for creating big, bold wines with outstanding structure. With one of the warmest and driest climates in Washington state, and sandy loam soil in the vineyards, the terroir in this historical region with many winemakers considering the Wahluke Slope to be the backbone of the Washington wine industry.

Barrel aged in 37% new oak for 18 months, where 34% are French and 66% are American, this robust red offers up concentrated notes of ripe dark plum, red berries, some roasted spices and herbs finishing with earthy, black currant and chocolate mocha flavours that linger. Creamy and oaky yet smooth tannins make this an easy to enjoy fireplace kind of wine. Enjoy by itself or some grilled red flank steak, or bbq ribs.

2017 Seven Falls Merlot Wahluke Slope (Washington, United States) – $22.49 regularly $27.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Wow…Thanksgiving week is fast upon us, where did September go? So here is our annual picks to accompany the classic turkey and/or ham dinner with all its fixings. Start your evening off with a sparkling wine, followed by whites, reds, a dessert wine and perhaps a port to end.

Sparkling Wines

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

NV La Tordera Saome Prosecco DOC Brut (Veneto, Italy) – $22.99
NV Famille Moutard Pere & Fils Brut Nature Grande Reserve (France) – $27.99
NV Adami Garbèl Prosecco doc Treviso (Veneto, Italy) – $28.99
NV Tomato Wheels Lambrusco (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) – $34.99
2018 Gruber Roschitz Sekt Brut Reserve (Weinviertel, Austria) – $39.99

Champagne

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

2014 Champagne Lancelot Pienne Brut Accord Majeur (Champagne, France) – $74.99
NV Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve Vieilles Vignes (Champagne, France) – $81.99
NV Champagne Philipponnat Rosé (Champagne, France) – $89.99
NV Champagne Gardet 120th Anniversary Brut Cuvee (Champagne, France) – $119.99
2010 Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon x Lady Gaga Limited Edition Brut (Champagne, France) – $369.99

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), sweet Chenin Blancs or other Germanic or Alsace varietals. Having said that, some will always go with a dry creamy Chardonnay irregardless and that’s perfectly fine. Also, don’t forget that rosés work really well too!

2018 Château Sainte-Marie Les Hauts (Bordeaux – Entre-Deux-Mers, France) – $19.99
2019 Fielding Estate Riesling (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – $22.99
2019 Paul Zinck Pinot Gris (Alsace, France) – $28.49
2019 Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Cotes-du-Rhone Les Claux Terroir Blanc (Rhone Valley, France) – $28.99
2021 Villa Matilde Falanghina Avallone (Campania, Italy) – $29.99
2020 Domaine Bernard Defaix Chablis (Chablis, France) – $39.99
2018 Sybille Kuntz Organic Orange Riesling (Mosel, Germany) – $46.99
2018 Garam Les Trois Mains Blanc (Bordeaux – Graves, France) – $79.99
2018 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos Saint-Urbain Grand Cru (Alsace, France) – $156.99
2021 Weingut Franz Netzl Christina Rosé (Austria) – $29.99
2021 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé (Provence, France) – $63.99

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.

2019 Edoardo Miroglio Soli Pinot Noir (Thracian Valley, Bulgaria) – $21.99
2019 Casa Silva Cool Coast Pinot Noir (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $29.99
2018 Guignier St. Amour Amethystes (Beaujolais, France)- $33.99
2019 Quinta da Taboadella Alfrocheiro Reserva (Dao, Portugal) – $41.99
2017 Johanneshof Reinisch Grillenhugel Pinot Noir (Thermenregion, Austria) – $48.99
2011 Tenuta Monteti Toscana (Tuscany, Italy) – $74.99
2019 Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon (California – Napa Valley, United States) – $124.99
2009 Niepoort Charme (Douro, Portugal) – $129.99
2015 Domaine de la Pousse d’Or Volnay Clos de la Bousse d’Or Monopole Premier Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $156.99
2009 Château Canon-la-Gaffeliere (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $259.99
2012 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili DOCG (Piedmont, Italy) – $279.99
2004 Petrolo Galatrona (Tuscany, Italy) – $379.99

Dessert

Sweet dessert wines and Port are always good for the final touches of a meal:

2015 Chateau d’Armajan des Ormes (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 375mL – $29.99
2017 Domäne Wachau Beerenauslese Terrassen (Austria) – $35.99
2017 Mullineux Straw Wine (Swartland, South Africa) – 375mL – $49.99
1982 Thunevin-Calvet Maury Vin Doux Naturel (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $87.99
2011 Château Climens Premier Cru (Bordeaux – Barsac, France) – 375mL – $114.99
2012 Pocas Junior Late Bottled Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $37.99
NV Taylor Fladgate Historic Limited Edition Reserve Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $54.99
1966 Kopke Colheita (Portugal) – $218.99
1994 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $499.99

Note our regular store hours are in affect this long weekend, except holiday monday when we’re open from noon-5pm.