deVine Thoughts

February 12, 2024

Weekly Offer for Feb 12/24

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 1:11 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Monemvasia Voltes Red (Peloponnese, Greece) – $17.99 , regularly $22.99.

The Monemvasia Winery was founded in 1997 by the Tsimbidis family. Only native Greek grapes are grown in the 30 hectares under vine in Peloponnese wine region in Southeastern Greece.

Our feature this week is their Voltes Red, a blend of two native grape varieties 50/50 – Agiorgitiko and Mavroudi. Both varieties are grown organically in Laconia, near Monemvasia, where the climate is warm and dry. The vineyard is situated at an altitude of 200 metres above sea-level, offering cooler nights, resulting in balancing natural freshness. The vines are planted in clay-loam soils; the clay component has good water retention properties helping to nourish the vines during the warm, dry growth period. The grapes are hand-harvested at optimum maturity.

The name Voltes is inspired by the twisting uphill pathway leading to the Upper Town of Monemvasia. The two varieties were co-fermented. A light-bodied red (12.5% alcohol) offering apple notes of ripe red fruits with a hint of sweet spice. It is well-structured with balanced acidity, soft tannins, and a pleasant finish. Pair with grilled kebobs or red sauced dishes.

Monemvasia Voltes Red (Peloponnese, Greece) – $17.99 , regularly $22.99

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February 10, 2024

Mature 2011 Bordeaux

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 1:08 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

The 2011 Bordeaux vintage had the misfortune of following the legendary duo of 2009 and 2010. It is a precocious vintage that is now in its maturity window and serves as a gap measure for those who want something good to drink in the intervening years while 2009 and 2010 sit in the cellar. The right bank (Merlot based) wines are particularly successful.

With Valentine’s upcoming fast, and eating out prohibitive why not do up a nice meal at home (roast lamb comes to mind immediately) paired with an older Bordeaux that is drinking well!

First, those pictured above from left to right (these we have good stock on):

2011 Château Providence (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $189.99

2011 Le Carre (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $164.99

2011 Château La Fleur-Petrus (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $259.99

2011 Château Trotanoy (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $269.99

Here is a couple more 2011’s to consider:

2011 Le Dome (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $249.99

2011 Château Teyssier Vieux Chateau Mazerat (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $139.99

Happy Valentines everyone!

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February 5, 2024

Weekly Offer for Feb 5/24

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 2:02 pm

weekly_morel_signargues_small
Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Domaine Pierre Henri Morel Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Signargues (Rhone Valley, France) – $20.99 , regularly $25.99.

The Domaine Pierre-Henri Morel was created in 2008 when Pierre-Henri and Michel Chapoutier purchased twenty acres of vineyards aged 50 years old in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape region. Fascinated by the southern Rhône Valley, by the amazing variety of its soils and by the Grenache grape variety, Pierre-Henri farms without synthetic chemicals fully utilizing the high-altitude terraces and alluvial soils at his disposal.

Freshness, balance and minerality abound in our weekly feature, the value driven Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Signargues. The fruit comes from the right bank of the Rhône facing Châteauneuf-du-Pape is made from a blend of Grenache and Syrah delivering flavors of blackberry and currant with notes of licorice and pepper finishing with freshly crushed herbs. This smooth and elegant red has fine-grained tannins that would do well with game or lamb.

Domaine Pierre Henri Morel Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Signargues (Rhone Valley, France) – $20.99 , regularly $25.99

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January 29, 2024

Weekly Offer for Jan 29/24

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 1:49 pm

weekly_cantina_rosso_small
Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Cantina di Montalcino Rosso di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $22.99, regularly $29.99.

Cantina di Montalcino was founded in 1970 – it is a beautiful property in Tuscany, surrounded by meadows, olive trees and the splendid vineyards of the Val di Cava, just outside the medieval town of Montalcino. It is the only cooperative winery in the Brunello area with 94 members contributing. Passion and know how lives here for over 40 years, with 60 hectares of Sangiovese vineyards producing both Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino.

Our feature this week is their Rosso di Montalcino DOC, way cheaper than the Brunello and ready to drink sooner. Fragrant berry fruits, tobacco and tea leaves float to your nose. Generous and supple on palate with subtle vanilla, sweet fruit and earthy undertones. Marvelous for pasta or charcuterie.

Cantina di Montalcino Rosso di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $22.99 , regularly $29.99

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January 22, 2024

Weekly Offer for Jan 22/24

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 1:35 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2021 Villa Matilde Falanghina Avallone (Campania, Italy) – $24.99 , regularly $29.99.

Francesco Paolo Avallone founded the Villa Matilde estate in the early 1960s. Nowadays, his son and daughter, Salvatore “Tani” and Maria Ida Avallone, continue their father’s legacy. The estate’s location, boasting volcanic, mineral-rich soils facing the Mediterranean sun and sea, sheltered on three sides by the Massico mountain range. Its vicinity to the sea combined with this mountainous ring means ideal ventilation, cool nights and warm days, and maximum sun exposure, right up to late October, all ideal for making fine wine. Over the decades, the estate is a leader in carbon footprints – impressively they have achieved zero greenhouse gas emissions on all their properties.

Our feature this week is their lovely Falanghina Avallone, really showcasing the terroir – this has steely tropical and stone fruits, with subtle florals and herbs while the palate is intense yet fresh finishing with fine acidity and a volcanic minerality. This is a classy white!

2021 Villa Matilde Falanghina Avallone (Campania, Italy) – $24.99 , regularly $29.99

Read my travel blog to Villa Matilde from Sept 2018..

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January 15, 2024

Weekly Offer for Jan 15/24

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 10:49 am

weekly_levorato_merlot_small
Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Cantine Levorato Merlot (Veneto, Italy) – $15.49, regularly $19.49.

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) – $15.49, regularly $19.49

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January 13, 2024

Time for Port

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 1:09 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Its cold outside and that’s the perfect time to enjoy yourself some port. Whether its a formal tasting or a mere sipping drink around the fireplace after dinner, this is the time to enjoy this delectable Portuguese offering.

(pictured left to right):

NV Quinta do Portal Lagrima (Douro, Portugal) – $34.99

Quevedo 10 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $42.99

2017 Ramos Pinto Late Bottled Vintage (Douro, Portugal) – $37.99

Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $69.99

1994 Dow’s Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $249.99

More offerings worthy of your consideration below:

NV Quevedo White Port (Douro, Portugal) – $25.99

NV Taylor Fladgate The Mallet Historic Limited Edition Reserve Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $58.99

2018 Croft Quinta da Roeda Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $74.99

1998 Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $114.99

2000 Niepoort Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $209.99

1963 Messias Colheita Selecionada (Douro, Portugal) – $329.99

2003 Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $1049.99

Enjoy!

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January 8, 2024

Weekly Offer for Jan 8/24

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:57 pm

weekly_starsa_small
Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Tenuta del Portale Starsa (Basilicata, Italy) – $18.49, regularly $23.49.

Established in 1990 thanks to the passion of the D’Angelo family , Tenuta del Portale is located in Basilicata, in the heart of the Aglianico del Vulture wine production area in mountainous southern Italy.

Our weekly feature is their Starsa, made from 100% Aglianico. This wine tells a story – you discover a red that is guarded and strongly characterized by its extinct volcano; Monte Vulture (1326 meters, extinguished thousands of years ago), which with its slopes gently caressing and nourishing the 15 hectares of the company’s vineyards. Surrounded by seven hills and its two volcanic lakes, this place is rather magical when you see it.

Resplendent in its earthy notes (graphite and leather) that briefly sees Slovenian oak, this offers a bright ruby color, vibrant fruits (cranberries, pomegranate) and a briny, unami finish. Try with wild game pasta, pecorino or Taleggio. A marvelous wine to start the weekly special for the year!

Tenuta del Portale Starsa (Basilicata, Italy) – $18.49 , regularly $23.49

Read my travel blog to Portale from Sept 2018..

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December 27, 2023

New Year’s Bubbles Recommendations

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 1:38 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

From all of us at deVine’s to you and yours, we wish you a very Happy New Year in 2024 with all the best for happiness, good health and prosperity. May good health and fortune and luck follow you wherever you go and in all that you do for the coming year. We thank you for your continued patronage!

Ed, Annabelle, Brad. Dirk, Chad, Kandice, Llyr, Bob and Mark

Here are some New Years Wine recommendations for your consideration. Have a fun New Years, and remember to drink responsibly.

First, pictured (left to right)
NV Pere Ventura Cuvee Barrique Gran Reserva (Penedès, Spain) – $25.99
2022 Aphros Phaunus Pet Nat Sparkling Rose (Portugal) – $46.99
NV Domaine Deliance Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc de Noir Ruban Mauve (Burgundy – Cote Chalonnaise, France) – $41.99
NV Champagne Pierre Peters Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra Brut Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger (Champagne, France) – $112.99
2012 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne (Champagne, France) – $399.99

Sparkling
NV Cantine Riunite Maschio Prosecco Extra Dry (Veneto, Italy) – $19.99
NV Mezzacorona Mezza (Alto Adige, Italy) – $20.49
2022 Paltrinieri Lambrusco Solco dell Emilia (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) – $24.99
NV Cleto Chiarli Brut de Noir Rosé (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) – $27.49
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Champagne
NV Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Yellow Label Brut (Champagne, France) – 375mL $45.99
NV Champagne Baron-Fuente Grande Reserve Brut (Champagne, France) – $58.99
NV Champagne Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut (Champagne, France) – $65.99
NV Champagne Gardet Brut Rosé (Champagne, France) – $78.99
NV Champagne Agrapart 7 Crus Brut (Champagne, France) – $114.99
2015 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Vintage Reserve Brut (Champagne, France) – $124.99
NV Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru (Champagne, France) – $149.99
NV Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Tradition Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $181.99
2004 Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart Brut Liesse d’Harbonville (Champagne, France) – $289.99
1996 Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $619.99

Something Sweet & Sparkling
2022 G. D. Vajra Moscato d’Asti (Piedmont, Italy) – $26.99

Here are our store hours leading up to New Years:

Wednesday, Dec 27, Thursday, Dec 28 – 12-6pm
Friday, Dec 29, Saturday, Dec 30 – 11-7pm
Sunday, Dec 31 – 12-6pm
Monday, Jan 1 – Closed

Happy New Year everybody!

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December 18, 2023

Annual Christmas Dinner Wine Recommendations

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 11:56 am

turkey_ham_smallAuthor: Dirk Chan

Wow…Christmas is almost upon us, 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 lovely port to end off the evening. With the year we’ve all been through, perhaps it is time to go big this year!!

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.
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NV Mezzacorona Mezza (Alto Adige, Italy) – $20.49

NV Cleto Chiarli Brut de Noir Rosé (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) – $27.49

2019 Mongarda Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore (Veneto, Italy) – $29.99

NV Domaine Deliance Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Reserve (Burgundy – Cote Chalonnaise, France) – $37.99

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

NV Champagne Baron-Fuente Grande Reserve Brut (Champagne, France) – $58.99

NV Champagne Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut (Champagne, France) – $65.99

NV Henri Billiot et Fils Rosé (Champagne, France) – $81.99

2015 Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $119.99

NV Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Brut Granite (Champagne, France) – $219.99

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

2021 Villa des Anges Chardonnay (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $19.99

2022 Cave de Saumur Chenin Blanc Les Pouches (Loire Valley, France) – $21.99

2022 Bisci Verdicchio di Matelica (Marches, Italy) – $23.99

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2021 Allegrini Lugana Oasi Mantellina (Veneto, Italy) – $33.99

2021 Hubert Brochard Sancerre (Loire Valley, France) – $39.99

2020 Contino Blanco (Rioja, Spain) – $49.99

2019 Les Vins de Vienne Condrieu La Chambee (Rhone Valley, France) – $76.99

2021 Willi Schaefer Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese (Mosel, Germany) – $99.99

2021 Francois Mikulski Meursault (Meursault, France) – $156.99

2022 Lantides Little Ark Rosé (Peloponnese, Greece) – $29.99

2021 Feudo Montoni Rose di Adele Nerello Mascalese (Sicily, Italy) – $39.99

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.

2021 Manos Negras Pinot Noir (Mendoza, Argentina) – $20.99

2022 Casa Girelli Cembra Pinot Nero (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy) – $25.99

2019 13th Street Gamay (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – $26.99

2018 Cune Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $29.99

2020 Franck Balthazar Cotes-du-Rhone (Rhone Valley, France) – $30.99

2020 Maison Albert Brenot Bourgogne Rouge (Burgundy, France) – $37.99

2019 Rust en Vrede Estate Vineyards Syrah (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $49.99

2021 Veronica Ortega Villa de Congosto Kinki (Bierzo, Spain) – $61.99
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2019 Quinta do Portal Grande Reserva (Douro, Portugal) – $76.99

2016 Cotarella Le Macioche Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $104.99

2021 Stephane Vedeau Cote-Rotie J. Boutin Bonnevaux (Rhone Valley, France) – $119.99

2018 Gambal-Work Bentrock Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (California – Central Coast, United States) – $157.99

2019 Quinta dos Muros M7 (Douro, Portugal) – $199.99

2017 Poggio Al Tesoro Dedicato A. Walter Bolgheri (Tuscany, Italy) – $249.99

2009 Les Asteries (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $299.99

2010 Château Haut Bailly (Bordeaux – Pessac-Leognan, France) – $369.99

Dessert
As for dessert, remember dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert itself.

2018 Château Pajzos Harslevelu Late Harvest Tokaj (Tokaj, Hungary) – 500mL – $24.49

2019 Château Coutet (Bordeaux – Barsac, France) – 375mL – $51.99

2007 Marchesi Gondi Cardinal de Retz Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina Riserva Tenuta Bossi (Tuscany, Italy) – 375mL -$64.99

2011 Château Climens Premier Cru (Bordeaux – Barsac, France) – 375mL – $114.99

Port (Post Dinner)
Port is always good for the final touches of a meal whether its a ruby or a tawny. Try with blue-veined cheeses and roasted nuts.

1996 Barros Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – 375mL – $39.99

Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $69.99

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2015 Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $84.99

1994 Dow’s Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $249.99

Taylor Fladgate Golden Age Tawny Port 50 Year Old (Douro, Portugal) – $349.99

Finally, if you are pressed for time, try out our December Mixed Case – $238.95 or our December 6-Pack – $157.50 where a lot of the wines would pair well with Christmas dinner.

Note our hours of operations leading up to Christmas and between Christmas and New Years.

Everyone, enjoy the holiday season. Best wishes for good health and happiness to everyone!

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