deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Tenuta Santa Maria alla Pieve Verona Pragal Rosso (Veneto, Italy) – $16.99, regularly $21.99.

The estate of Santa Maria alla Pieve, historic property of Gaetano Bertani’s family, is located in the southernmost part of the Illasi Valley, enclosed by the wine producing regions of Valpolicella DOC to the west and Soave DOC to the east, fourteen kms outside Verona. The roots of the vineyards are sunk deep into a alluvial terrain alluvial, composed of layers of limestone clay and river stones. The property is situated in a charming hamlet dating back to Roman times. The stately sixteenth-century farmhouse and over twenty hectares of picturesque surroundings.

Our weekly special, their Pragal Rosso is a fruity, spicy blend of Corvina, Merlot, and Syrah giving full expression of the Veneto region, intriguing in its easy elegance and full-bodied structure. Derived from low-yielding vines, the wine is vinified with both fresh and partially dried grapes, and, after a lengthy maceration and fermentation period, refined in large oak barrels for six months in their historic cellars at Arbizzano di Negrar. Deep ruby color lightly blended with garnet red and reflections of violet. Engaging bouquet with alternating hints of red fruit preserves, dried roses and black cherry with subtler tones of dark spice, tobacco and black pepper. Enticing, warm and round, bright acidity with soft, beguiling tannins balanced with great structure and persistence. Enjoy by itself or with some grilled meats. Prost everyone!

Tenuta Santa Maria alla Pieve Verona Pragal Rosso (Veneto, Italy) – $16.99, regularly $21.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

It was late February in the year 2006, on the verge of our first anniversary that we had one of the store’s greatest tastings ever. The visitor was Catherine Faller, owner of Alsace’s Domaine Weinbach, one of the great estates in the world. She was here to do a free drop-in tasting (see attached original invite). It was suppose to be a one hour drop in afterwork event, but she stayed for two hours surprising us by opening some ultra-rare and expensive dessert wine, the Riesling Schlossberg SGN (Sélection de Grains Nobles), 3 splits if i recall correctly which was a significant percentage of the total production since only 40-50 bottles were made. And again in 2008 when Ed and Annabelle visited the winery, they were treated to a huge private tasting and a Michelin 3 Star restaurant for lunch – (read that blog)..

Fast track to the summer of 2023, when my retiring friend Bill Addison invited me over for an Al Fresco dinner. Out came a bottle of the 2003 Weinbach Pinot Gris Cuvee Ste. Catherine purchased at that very tasting. At 20 years of age, most of the guests were uncertain as to how good it would be as 2003 was a very hot year. Alas, it was brilliant – classic lanolin, melon and spice nose while the palate had Meyer lemon, marmalade and berry fruit and a good finish – we were amazed. I made a toast to Catherine and her late sister, winemaker Laurence Faller, who passed away in 2014 – she was one of the few and leading female winemakers of the age, and this was a master class performance.

To this date, we have a very soft spot for Catherine Faller and Domain Weinbach for their generous support shown to a start-up store at the time. Like many of her compatriots from Alsace, she represents class, generosity and kindness that leaves her mark whomever she meets.. Our thanks to Dream Wines who has been representing Weinbach for decades. A toast is in order!!

Captioned picture is of Bill Addison and Holly Bandi and the delicious bottle of 2003 Cuvee Ste. Catherine Pinot Gris

We have in stock the same wine we’re referring to that has been rebranded from Cuvee Ste. Catherine to Les Caracoles:

2021 Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Les Caracoles (Alsace, France) – $84.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2018 Quinta do Gradil Martinus Johannis Vinho Tinto (Lisboa, Portugal) – $17.99, regularly $21.99.

Quinta do Gradil has seven centuries of winemaking in its history, with documents referencing it found in a royal document of King Joao II dated February 14, 1492, although the property is even older.

Crafted in homage to Martinus Johannis who discovered Gradil two hundred years earlier in 1278, and fenced in the land that is home to the vineyard today. Our feature this week is Quinta do Gradil’s Martinus Johannis Vinho Tinto, it is a blend of Touriga Nacional and Tannat, fermented in stainless steel vats, and then aged in French oak barrels by winemaker Tiago Correia. It is a rich yet balanced and versatile red. Plump and round with loads of blackberry, black plum and blueberry fruit with toasty accents and baking spices. The palate is full of black fruit and resolved tannins all leading to a long, juicy finish. Prost everyone!

2018 Quinta do Gradil Martinus Johannis Vinho Tinto (Lisboa, Portugal) – $17.99, regularly $21.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2022 Sunday Sail Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand) – $17.99, regularly $21.99.

Sunday Sail takes its name and inspiration from New Zealand’s rich sailing history and traditions. Sundays are for friends, family & sailing. Sunday Sail wine is perfect to connect these moments amongst friends & family.

The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is a zesty, elegant and tasty Sauv Blanc with attractive fruit intensity showcasing its florals, passionfruit, citrus zest fine herb nose followed by a palate of briny minerality, nectarine, grapefruit and lime flavours all wrapped up in mouth-watering acidity. Chill and enjoy with calamari and fish tacos. A delicious drink for the summer!

2022 Sunday Sail Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand) – $17.99, regularly $21.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Summer is passing quickly, its time to break out the white wine. Fortunately, we’ve had some outstanding whites come into the store – the wines below are both idiomatic and varietally correct and also food friendly. Some are extreme rare and limited so grab some early on before they disappear.

Pictured left to right:

2021 Bodegas Canopy Ganadero Blanco (Toledo, Spain) – $22.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2021 Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Old Vines (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – $22.99, regularly $27.99.

The Niagara estate Henry of Pelham was established in 1988 with their first vintage. At that time, they were one of very few estate wineries dedicated to producing premium quality wines made from 100% Ontario-grown grapes. Now into its sixth generation, the reputation of this winery is well established for its sustainable grape growing, terroir driven quality and decades of serious dedication.

The Baco Noir is a pseudo defacto Canadian standard (along with Marachal Foch), its something we can call is Canadian (though its a French and American genetic blend) and the Henry of Pelham is a recognized leader in its production. Our weekly special is their Old Vines Baco Noir, it has a little bit more of everything than the normale version. Blackberry, plum, blueberry and pepper on the beguiling nose. More berries and dark fruit on the extended concentrated palate, and a long spicy finish. Pair this Niagara icon with a rich, elevated poutine or grilled lamb or venison. You can even cellar this for improvement over the next 2-3 years as well. Prost everyone!