deVine Thoughts

July 3, 2008

Globalization and/of Wine

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Mel @ 4:44 am

Author: Melissa Priestley

Now, I know this is a topic on which one could write a thesis; entire books are devoted to the subject and a simple blog article cannot hope to do it justice. Therefore, it is not justice I seek – the mere raising of consciousness will suffice for now.

In preparation for my upcoming course at the CIA (Culinary Institute of America, not Central Intelligence Agency, though I’m certainly going to pretend to be a spy), I’ve been feverishly studying everything wine-related. While reading about Bordeaux, I was struck by the almost glib observation that the stylistic differences between many appellations are dissolving, due in large part to modern technology and current trends. For example, the wines of St. Estèphe, once immediately discernable for their sturdy, bold profile, are now often confused with other Médoc wines that have adopted this big and bold style – a style that is currently enjoying international popularity.
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June 30, 2008

A Tasting with Paul Zinck

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Tags: Zinck — Dirk @ 9:46 am

Zinck Authors: Annabelle Evaristo, Dirk Chan

The legendary estate of Paul Zinck was the next destination for Annabelle and Eddie, who spent a morning with Philippe Zinck, the son in the father and son duo of this esteemed estate. There is a relatively new ‘Terroir’ range of wines that Philippe makes – two Pinot Noirs, Rieslings and Pinot Gris. On the standard ‘Portrait’ range, we discovered there are two versions of the Cremant d’Alsace and the new Rosé (one a winter version which we have in the store and the ones arriving in the fall is apparently the summer versions of those bubblies) – we will save some of both of these Cremants for a future comparative tasting. Future labels of this estate will be simply called ‘Zinck’.

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June 26, 2008

Niagara Riesling

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Tags: canadian wine, niagara, riesling — Mel @ 1:25 pm

Author: Melissa Priestley

With the temperatures climbing and Canada Day just around the corner, I’ve turned my wine-quaffing attentions towards Canadian whites – specifically the Rieslings coming out of Niagara. For those who still shun Canadian wine, I dare you to try a Niagara Riesling and tell me it’s not tasty.

Niagara has, arguably, the best climate in Canada for growing Riesling; the Okanagan in B.C. is just too hot, causing the grapes to lose that edge of acidity that makes them so refreshing in the warm weather (not to mention enhancing their versatility in food pairing – seriously, these things work with everything from seafood to chips and dip). (more…)

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June 24, 2008

A Visit with Olivier Zind-Humbrecht

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Tags: calcaire, Turkheim, Zind-Humbrecht — Dirk @ 11:41 am

Zind-Humbrecht Authors:

Annabelle Evaristo, Dirk Chan

Ed & Annabelle left Edmonton this past Wednesday travelling by United Airlines to O’Hare in Chicago, and from there onward to Frankfurt. A drive from Heidelburg to Baden-Baden and then onto the city Colmar (the last town in France to be freed after the 2nd World War) in the heart of Alsace, France. Famous for its well preserved Old Town, it is here where they met up with our friend and travelling companion Wayne Ingram, also from Edmonton. Finally onto in Gueberschwihr and the Hotel Relais du Vignoble. A Friday appointment with the bigger than life Olivier Zind-Humbrecht, the first Master of Wine in France highlight the first vineyard visit of Ed and Annabelle’s European vacation. Zind-Humbrecht is a relatively young estate (formed in 1959), but it is certainly one of the most treasured estates in all of France. (more…)

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June 22, 2008

The Great 2005 Bordeaux Vintage

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Tags: 2005, bordeaux, devine, wine — Dirk @ 7:11 am

Bordeaux_2005 Author: Dirk Chan

The 2005 Bordeaux vintage is already touted with the 1961, 1982, 1989, 1990 and 2000 as one of the greatest vintages of the past half century. Winemakers say if you couldn’t make a great wine in 2005, you might as well change professions. With prices soaring with the universal acclaim, those of you who bought futures are laughing, those who didn’t will pay a higher tariff. It is a vintage not be missed and should be represented in any serious wine collection.

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