deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Cantine Levorato Merlot (Veneto, Italy) – $15.99, regularly $19.99.

Cantine Levorato dates back to 1928 when Umberto Levorato, and then Gino and Giovanni, Umberto’s brother and son respectively, sold their wines in barrels or demijohns in the city of Venice. Today the tradition continues and has developed further with Carlo, Giovanni’s son, supported in the business by his sister Silvia and brother Marco. Together they profoundly changed the production and organizational structure of the winery, leading the family business to successfully establish itself on the foreign market with products made from precise taste for those who appreciate genuine flavors, but also honest and refined details.

Our feature this week is their Merlot with its ruby red hue, robust and full-bodied with enticing aromas of black cherry, fresh plums, youthful tannins, and moderate aromatics. A wonderful match for rustic spaghetti, pizza, or braised reds meats. Culinary suggestions include pasta, pizza, red and white meats, cheeses and game.

Levorato Merlot (Veneto, Italy) – $15.99, regularly $19.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Temple Brewer Mataro Shiraz Grenache (Langhorne Creek, Australia) – $19.99, regularly $24.99.

Temple Bruer was established as a small vineyard and nursery in the early 1970’s on a property situated on the main road between the towns of Strathalbyn and Milang, in the grape growing district of Langhorne Creek in South Australia. Temple Bruer is regarded as a leader in the organic wine scene, used as the “model” for organic farming for Australia. Owner David Bruer knows organic wine is healthier and their organic practices that are sustainable – sustainability and health are all entwined in their house philosophy. They own and manage four Organic Certified vineyards in Langhorne Creek, Eden Valley, Loxton and Moorook. In addition, they contract other organically certified vineyards to grow fruit in Currency Creek and McLaren Vale, all based in South Australia.

Our weekly special this week is their Mataro Shiraz Grenache – aromas of cranberries and plums, cherry, violets, cinnamon and black pepper. A balanced medium to full-bodied spicy palate, with lots of raspberry, bramble, plum and beetroot fruit. Weighty yet polished with lingering small and fine tannins. Pair with grilled red meats.

Prost!

Temple Brewer Mataro Shiraz Grenache (Langhorne Creek, Australia) – $19.99, regularly $24.99.

Rivera Cappellaccio Castel del Monte Aglianico Riserva (Puglia, Italy) – $18.99, regularly $26.99.

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Author: Dirk Chan

A Happy Mother’s Day to all mother’s out there and hope your day is full of love, joy and plenty of wine! Here are our suggestions for the festive day:

Sparkling for Brunch:

NV Pere Ventura Chic Barcelona Cava Brut (Penedès, Spain) – $19.99
NV De Chanceny Cremant de Loire Brut (Loire Valley, France) – $26.99
NV Cleto Chiarli Brut de Noir Rosé (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) – $27.49
2022 Aphros Phaunus Pet Nat Sparkling Rosé (Vinho Verde, Portugal) – $46.99
NV Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Quality Brut (Champagne, France) – $77.99
NV Henri Billiot et Fils Rosé (Champagne, France)- $81.99
2012 Champagne Gardet Charles Rose de Saignee Brut Premier Cru (Champagne, France) – $124.99
2015 Moet & Chandon Dom Pérignon Brut (Champagne, France) – $389.99

Something Pink:

2023 San Marzano Tramari Rosé di Primitivo (Puglia, Italy) – $23.99
2023 Emilio Moro Cepa Hito Rosado (Ribera del Duero, Spain) – $29.99
2023 Lightfoot & Wolfville Rosé (Nova Scotia, Canada) – $35.99

A few whites and reds for that special meal:

2023 Domaine Labbé Abymes (Savoie, France) – $22.99
2023 Schloss Lieser Riesling Trocken (Mosel, Germany) – $31.99
2022 Vasse Felix Chardonnay (Margaret River, Australia) – $53.99
2019 Domaine Duchesse de Magenta Puligny Montrachet Les Houilleres (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $124.99
2022 Bleasdale Mulberry Tree Cabernet Sauvignon (Langhorne Creek, Australia) – $23.49
2021 Graceland Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $45.99
2021 Catena Alta Historic Rows Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina) – $65.99
2020 Massolino Filli Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) – $82.99
2013 Tommasi Amarone Riserva Ca’Florian (Veneto, Italy) – $139.99
2011 Le Dome (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $249.99

Chocolate Pairings:

2023 Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d’Asti (Piedmont, Italy) – $29.99
2021 Brigaldara Recioto della Valpolicella (Veneto, Italy) – 375mL – $39.99
2015 Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $85.99
1982 Thunevin-Calvet Maury Vin Doux Naturel (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $86.99
Taylor Fladgate Golden Age Tawny Port 50 Year Old (Douro, Portugal) – $349.99

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the AdegaMae Dory Tinto (Lisboa, Portugal) – $16.99, regularly $20.99.

Created in 2010, AdegaMae, owned by the Alves family, is located 40km northwest of Lisbon, steps away from the Atlantic Ocean influence that gives their wines a very special freshness and acidity; at the same time, they offer excellent minerality that comes from the predominantly clay-limestone soils. The red wines showcase the family’s long history in viticulture, fully embracing their continental terroir, in vineyards sheltered by the mountain chain, where the climate provides wider temperature variations, warmer summers and early maturation.

Our weekly special this week is their Dory Tinto, a blend of Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Aragonez. Ruby coloured with fine aromatic intensity, delivering notes of violets, wild berries, cassis and pepper. Its fruitiness resurfaces on the juicy palate. A very elegant and fine wine with appealing slightly spicy tannins. Easy to enjoy everyday drinker to pair with grilled red meats.

Prost!

AdegaMae Dory Tinto (Lisboa, Portugal) – $16.99, regularly $20.99.

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