deVine Thoughts

October 27, 2025

Weekly Offer for Oct 27/25

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:36 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the San Marzano Primitivo (Puglia, Italy) – $14.49, regularly $17.49

The San Marzano winery was founded in 1962 by 19 likeminded grape growers in the Primitivo di Manduria DOP in Taranto province in western Puglia, Southern Italy with the vision to pool their resources and increase the quality of their wines by building a modern-day winemaking facility where they could vinify their grapes. Their business model was so successful that today, more than 60 years after its founding, the winery cooperates with more than 1.000 growers.

The Puglia area is one of Italy’s most ancient areas for the farming and production of wines made from the Primitivo grape, the most popular Apulian grape variety. Here, iron- and limestone-rich soils and the sea breeze, which constantly flows over the narrow peninsula of Puglia, create the ideal conditions for making wines with extreme freshness, food-friendliness, and aging potential.

Our weekly offer this week is their Primitivo, a classic example that delivers intense chocolate, prune, nuts, spice and smoky notes and a robust structure. The perfect choice for your house wine, providing both quality and value. Serve with grilled meats, or pasta with meat sauce.

San Marzano Primitivo (Puglia, Italy) – $14.49, regularly $17.49

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October 20, 2025

Weekly Offer for Oct 20/25

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 11:48 am

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Quinta do Cotto Signature Douro Red (Douro, Portugal) – $16.99, regularly $20.49.

The ancient estate of Quinta do Cotto, which dates back to 1757 is located between Mesão Frio and Peso da Régua overlooking the Douro River, Quinta do Côtto is in a privileged position. With vineyards surrounding the 18th century mansion, it has different exposures, always on schist soils. Ancestral vines, many of them over 100 years old and planted between 120 and 430 metres above sea level.

With over 70 hectares of vineyard, this is a very large and historic estate that was founded by royal decree, also being the producer of the first ever Douro DOC wines (not port, but table wine).

Our feature this week is their Signature Douro Red, made from Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Sousao and Tinto Cao blend, it is an intense and elegant red wine from the Douro region, full of aromas and plenty of ripe red fruits. There are dark chocolate and balsamic notes, and with subtle floral fruity overtones backed by fine concentration. Elegant and fresh, this is extremely good.

Quinta do Cotto Signature Douro Red (Douro, Portugal) – $16.99, regularly $20.49

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October 13, 2025

Weekly Offer for Oct 13/25

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 1:28 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Tommasi Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo (Tuscany, Italy) – $22.99, regularly $27.99.

The famous estate of Tommasi is famous for their Valpolicella and Amarone in the Veneto wine region in northeastern Italy. The winery was founded in 1902 by Giacomo Tommasi and is now managed by his nine great-grandchildren who occupy key roles in the company.

The modern expansion of Tommasi is founded on the success of our Amarone Classico launched in 1959. Nowadays, they own five other estates covering a total of 599 hectares in some of Italy’s most prized and exciting winemaking regions including Montalcino, Basilicata, Tuscany, Lombardy and Puglia.

Our weekly feature this week is their Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo, made from vines from volcanic tuff soils in the Tuscan Maremma (the first estate they acquired outside the Veneto in 1997). Today, Poggio al Tufo extends over 200 hectares, encapsulating three separate vineyard areas between Scansano and Pitigliano, where we also manage a charming agroturismo surrounded by vineyards.

Rompicollo is made from a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, the flagship wine of Poggio al Tufo project, it refined and warm features, which fascinates with liveliness and elegance. 13% ABV. Fresh on the nose with wild blueberry, cassis, violets, lavender, mocha, dried herb flavours with racy acidity on the palate. Tannins are velvety and rounding. Enjoy now with a triple-cheesy pizza or a rich tomato and roasted Italian vegetables sauce over penne. Lovely little mini-Super-Tuscan.

Tommasi Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo (Tuscany, Italy) – $22.99, regularly $27.99

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October 10, 2025

Canella Prosecco Advent Calendar 2025

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 5:42 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Hard to believe we’re talking Christmas already, but its mid-October already. We are offering once again the Canella Family Sparkling Advent Calender – $199.99 from Empson Canada for Christmas 2025 season now. Purchase yours now (it is due to arrive within the next few weeks) to ensure you have it for the holiday season.

The Canella winery was founded in 1947 after World War II by Luciano Canella. His parents owned a small, family-style restaurant in San Donà di Piave in Venice. Having to survive the difficult wartime after his Dad’s passing, Luciano began to search the surrounding areas for the best wines to match his mother’s cuisine when he thought about creating his own wine. He put this idea into action and set up a state-of-the-art winery specializing in Prosecco.

Since then, the Canellas have become Prosecco pioneers and through hard work, the brand and family of Canella demonstrate what can be achieved in the Conegliano appellation and have become almost synonymous with Prosecco itself.

This festive Advent Calendar collection on pre-sale contains 24 bottles of 200ml sparkling wines from the Canella family including their five different Proseccos and their families premium Brut Rosé. All will be laid out at random within the box with a pop open tab for each day leading up to Christmas. Cases are shipped in a plain protective outer carton.

Only 7 calendars available!

2025 Canella Sparkling Advent Calendar (Veneto, Italy) – $199.99

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October 6, 2025

Weekly Offer for Oct 6/25

Filed under: Uncategorized — Dirk @ 12:22 pm

weekly_morgenster_sb_small2
Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Morgenster Sauvignon Blanc (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $16.99, regularly $22.49.

Family-owned and family-run, Morgenster Estate has a long history dating back 300 years. Situated near the foothills of the Helderberg Mountains in Somerset West (35 minutes from Cape Town), Morgenster was a pioneer in the 1990s and paved the way for South Africa’s wine and olive oil culture.

The feature this week is their Sauvignon Blanc – the grapes for this wine are harvested slightly later in order to maximize the wonderful tropical fruit notes that this wine has to offer. A palate-pleasing wine, harmonious and well-balanced showing typical tropical flavours in abundance. The aromas include lemon zest, green apples, pears and the requisite grassiness. This elegantly crafted wine has gracious balance and poise with vibrant, integrated acidity leaving a lingering citrus and flinty finish. Pair with white meat and salads.

Morgenster Sauvignon Blanc (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $16.99 , regularly $22.49.

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Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Wine Recommendations

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 11:27 am

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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.

Note we are closed on Thanksgiving Monday.

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 Melea Premium Sparkling Brut (Penedès, Spain) – $18.99
2023 Paltrinieri Lambrusco di Sorbara Piria (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) – $24.99
NV Luis Pato Vinho Espumante Bruto (Bairrada, Portugal) – $25.99
NV Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco Brut (Veneto, Italy) – $35.99
2020 Quinta de Soalheiro Nature Pur Terroir Alvarinho Bruto (Vinho Verde, Portugal) – $48.99
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Champagne

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

NV Champagne Monmarthe Secret de Famille Brut (Champagne, France) – $67.99
NV Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Brut Rosé (Champagne, France) – $102.99
2014 Henri Billiot et Fils Ambonnay Grand Cru Brut Millesime (Champagne, France) – $124.99
NV Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru (Champagne, France) – $149.99
2018 Champagne Agrapart Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Mineral (Champagne, France) – $234.99
2012 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne (Champagne, France) – $399.99

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!

2024 Huteau-Boulanger la Muse Sauvignon (Loire Valley, France) – $20.99
2024 Bodegas Canopy Ganadero Blanco (Toledo, Spain) – $24.49
2024 Rust en Vrede Afrikaans Vol. VII White (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $33.99
2023 Alvaro Castro Encruzado Reserva (Dao, Portugal) – $44.99
2022 Vasse Felix Chardonnay (Margaret River, Australia) – $53.99
2022 William Fevre Chablis Domaine (Chablis, France) – $72.99
2021 Willi Schaefer Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese (Mosel, Germany) – $99.99
2012 Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis Premier Cru Cote de Lechet (Chablis, France) – $121.99
2022 Domaine Francois Villard Condrieu DePoncins (Rhone Valley, France) – $142.99
2023 Francois Mikulski Meursault (Meursault, France) – $184.99
2024 Agricola Gorgo Bardolino Chiaretto (Veneto, Italy) – $23.99
2024 Domaine de la Perriere Premiere Pressée Chinon Rosé (Loire Valley, France) – $31.99
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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 Quinta do Vale Dona Maria Rufo Douro (Douro, Portugal) – $19.99
2024 Bruno Lafon Lucy in the Sky Pinot Noir (Vin de France, France) – $22.49
2024 Earl Paul Durdilly et Fils Beaujolais Les Grandes Coasses (Beaujolais, France) – $24.49
2023 Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Old Vines (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – $28.99
2024 Elena Walch Schiava (Alto Adige, Italy) – $34.99
2021 Graceland Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $47.99
2022 Domaine Seguin-Manuel Mercurey Vieilles Vignes (Burgundy – Cote Chalonnaise, France) – $52.99
2023 Domaine Deliance Givry Premier Cru Monopole Les Combes (Burgundy – Cote Chalonnaise, France) – $67.99
2019 Elvio Cogno Barbera d’Alba Pre-Phylloxera (Piedmont, Italy) – $94.99
2013 Sordo Giovanni Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) – $104.99
2016 Terre Nere Brunello di Montalcino Capriolo Riserva (Tuscany, Italy) – $224.99
2009 Château Belair-Monange Premier Grand Cru Classé B (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $319.99
2007 Petrolo Galatrona (Tuscany, Italy) – $399.99
1998 Château Leoville Las-Cases (Bordeaux – St. Julien, France) – $549.99
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Dessert

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

2016 Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszu (Hungary) – 250mL – $36.49
2021 Brigaldara Recioto della Valpolicella (Veneto, Italy) – 375mL – $39.99
Quevedo 10 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $42.99
2013 Quinta do Portal Quinta dos Muros Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – 375mL – $45.99
2021 Château Sigalas Rabaud Premier Cru Classé (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 375mL – $69.99
1982 Thunevin-Calvet Maury Vin Doux Naturel (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $89.99
2015 Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $92.99
Messias 30 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $159.99
JM Fonseca Trilogia Moscatel de Setubal (Portugal) – 500mL – $199.99
1965 Messias Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $289.99
1965 Krohn Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $309.99

Note our regular store hours are in affect this long weekend, except holiday monday when we will be CLOSED.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

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