deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2020 Weinhaus Ress Pinot Noir (Rheingau, Germany) – $16.99, regularly $20.99.

The Ress family’s success is tied to the town of Hattenheim (45 min drive SW of Frankfurt). For generations a family of butchers, in the late 1800’s Balthasar Ress founded the “Gasthof Ress” Inn on the town’s main street. Balthasar produced house wines for his guests enjoyment so by the mid 1900’s the family would purchase additional land and properties, becoming a full fledged wine estate. By 1947 the estate owned 3 hectares of vineyards of vines. Today the estate has grown to 46 hectares of vineyards, and is managed by Christian Ress, the fifth generation winemaker.

Located in the Rheingau, one of Germany’s well known and most productive wine regions. The vineyards sit on south facing slopes on the banks of the rivers Rhine and Main either side of Wiesbaden . The climate is perfect for growing Riesling and Pinot Noir, and this light and juicy Pinot Noir has lots of concentrated red fruit flavours with some delicate spice notes all backed up with an elegant body and a raspberry and curranty finish. It’s a deliciously, moreish example of the modern German take on Pinot Noir, more substance than the normal Spatsburgunder.

2020 Weinhaus Ress Pinot Noir (Rheingau, Germany) – $16.99 (regularly $20.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Sometimes, you just want a non-alcoholic drink and in the past, its not been the best tasting. Well times they are a’changing, we’re seeing some beers that are very good, and the same with wine as well. And the price is right on most of these. Give it a try, you may be surprised!

Pictured left to right:

NV Benjamin Bridge Piquette Zero (Nova Scotia, Canada) – $4.99

New Level Brewing Mocktail Mule Kicker Craft Soda (Alberta, Canada) – $2.99

NV Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Riesling (Non-Alcoholic) (Rheingau, Germany) – $16.99

SYC Brewing Company Phantom Buzz 0.5% Pale Ale (Alberta, Canada) – $3.49

Partake Brewing Non-Alcoholic IPA (Alberta, Canada) – $9.99

Other available non-alcoholic products:

Sheringham Lumette! London Dry Non-Alcoholic Gin (BC, Canada) – $34.99

Svaneke Organic Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale (Denmark)- $3.99

Erdinger Alkoholfrei Wiesbier (Germany)- $3.49

NV Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Sparkling Riesling (Non-Alcoholic) (Rheingau, Germany) – $19.99

Big Drop Brewing Co. Paradiso IPA (Ontario, Canada) – $3.99

Royal Jamaican Ginger Beer Soda (Jamaica) – $2.49

Maisel’s Weisse Alkoholfrei (Germany) – $4.49

Happy shopping everyone!!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2020 Colle Corviano Pecorino (Abruzzi, Italy) – $17.99, regularly $22.99.

The Abruzzo region needs to be discovered: Intact and unknown, it offers unique characteristics blending Nature, Art and History. Firstly Nature: The Sea, the beaches, the mountains and national parks position the region on the pinnacle for green vacationing, retirement destinations.

Located only 2.5 hours NE of Rome and 300m above sea level, Colle Corviano has been growing grapes there since 1973. Each of the 15 hectares in total are divided into estate-vineyard blocks and are vinified individually and traced throughout the production process. Each vineyard block has been farmed based on the accumulated knowledge of soil profile and chemistry, aspect (orientation to the sun), slope (vertical degree impacting potential for drainage), and overall climate.

Not to be confused with the popular cheese by the same name (although they make a great pairing with the saltiness and nuttiness.) Pecorino is a light-skinned wine grape used in Italy‘s eastern coastal regions, particularly in the wine region of Abruzzo. Cultivated for hundreds of years, its low yields saw it replaced by more-productive grape varieties like Trebbiano until almost extinct. Now there’s a conscientious rebirth going on and that is a very good thing – we love Pecorino. The grape is so called supposedly because it was a favorite treat for flocks of sheep driven to lower pastures.

The Colle Corviano Pecorino is a brilliant pale straw in color then opens up with a bouquet of white pulp fruit. On the palate, explosive flavors of ripe pear, Renetta apples, Ginestra flowers and jasmine. On the palate, gentle and refreshing acidity. Try this with grilled fish, vegetable tempura, oysters. You’ll want to have multiple bottles hanging around.

2020 Colle Corviano Pecorino (Abruzzi, Italy) – $17.99 (regularly $22.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Valentines is coming up fast, so here are a few recommendations to treat your loved one for this special occasion. Included are some rec’s for pink bubbles, some craft beer, chocolate pairing and some aptly named love related wines. Much more options are available, just drop in the store this week or send us an email for personal assistance.

Pictured left to right:

2 Crows Brewing Together Wild Ale with Rice (Nova Scotia, Canada) – 375mL Bottle – $12.99

2020 Botter Gran Passione Rosso (Veneto, Italy) – $21.99

2018 Guignier St. Amour Amethystes (Beaujolais, France) – $33.99

2017 Mollydooker Carnival of Love Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia) – $114.99

Champagne/Sparkling Rose Wine:

NV Pago de Tharsys Dominio de Tharsys Cava Brut Rosado (Valencia, Spain) – $19.99

NV Champagne Andre Clouet Brut Rose No. 3 (Champagne, France) – $74.99

NV Piper-Heidsieck Brut Lipstick Edition (Champagne, France) – $87.99

NV Taittinger Brut Les Folies de la Marquetterie (Champagne, France) – $114.99

NV Champagne Gardet 120th Anniversary Brut Cuvee (Champagne, France) – $119.99

NV Krug Rosé (Champagne, France) – $419.99

Special Whites & Rosé:

2020 R. Stuart & Co. Love, Oregon Pinot Noir Rosé (Oregon – Willamette Valley, United States) – $33.99

2020 Muga Rioja Blanco (Rioja, Spain) – $23.49

2020 Langlois-Chateau Chateau de Fontaine-Audon Sancerre (Loire Valley, France) – $37.99

2020 Mullineux Old Vines White (Swartland, South Africa) – $41.99

2020 Vincent Girardin Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru Morgeot (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $107.99

Special Reds:

2019 Cantina Barbera Lu Cori Nero d’Avola (Sicily, Italy) – $26.99

2017 d’Arenberg The Love Grass Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia) – $27.99

2017 Whitehall Lane Merlot (California – Napa Valley, United States) – $52.99

2013 Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru La Petite Chapelle (Burgundy – Cote de Nuits, France) – $95.99

2005 Château La Providence (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $339.99

Chocolates & Dessert:

NV Quinta Das Carvalhas Reserva Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $36.99

2020 Vietti Moscato d’Asti (Piedmont, Italy) – $39.99

2016 Château Guiraud (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 375mL – $59.99

2018 Domaine Huet Clos du Bourg Moelleux Première Trie (Vouvray, France) – $94.99

1979 Kopke Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $189.99

1983 Fonseca Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $269.99

Happy Valentine’s everyone!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2018 Torre Zambra Idi di Marzo Family Selection Montepulciano d’Abruzzi (Abruzzi, Italy) – $20.49, regularly $25.99.

In 1910, grandpa Vincenzo set off for Naples in his dogcart. He was going to finalize negotiations for the purchase of a plot of about 20 hectares of land, set around a lookout tower. The land belonged to the Zambra family, and the tower, named after them, was known as “Torre Zambra”. On that parcel grandpa Vincenzo planted his first Montepulciano and Trebbiano vine and grew them for about 30 years, until they were destroyed during the Second World War, leaving the family in poverty.

During the War Laurentino De Cerchio, Vincenzo’s son-in-law, was captured by the Nazi army and imprisoned in Germany; he succeeded in returning to Villamagna only in 1947. Back to the small village he took over the farm and began his constant activity of wine grower, re-planting the old vines destroyed and starting to build the winery. And that’s how, in 1961, the first “Torre Zambra” harvest was bottled.

Being one of the most historic Abruzzo wineries that puts great value on the native vines, such as Montepulciano, Pecorino, Passerina and Trebbiano. This great little Montepulciano carries all the varietal typicality we love about Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Deep black colour, with ruby glints. The nose is intense, with wild berriesaromas and notes of tobacco, coffee, black pepper and cocoa powder on the finish. This is a complex, supple and round red to be enjoyed as an everyday drinker.

2018 Torre Zambra Idi di Marzo Family Selection Montepulciano d’Abruzzi (Abruzzi, Italy) – $20.49 (regularly $25.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2018 Castello Banfi Aska Bolgheri Rosso (Tuscany, Italy) – $22.49, regularly $27.49.

Castello Banfi dating from the early 1910’s is a family-owned vineyard estate and winery located in the Brunello region of Tuscany. This award-winning estate was founded on the philosophy of blending tradition with innovation, and is recognized as a pioneer in elevating the standards of Italian winemaking.

The Aska is their venture into the Bolgheri realm. From this now famous coastal region (home of several top-drawer Super Tuscans), this is a wine since 2012 made with mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and some Cabernet Franc (no Sangiovese), this is a deep ruby red with violet reflections, with a bouquet of red berries, blueberries and plum jam that are followed by hints of tobacco and licorice. Finishes with a well rounded, velvety tannins and a persistent finish.

Dedication to excellence has won the approval of aficionados the world over. Capturing honor after prestigious honor, Castello Banfi is a constellation of single vineyards encompassing over three dozen varying subsoils. While famous for their Brunello’s, the Super Tuscans are now coming to the fore. Try the Aska, it is well priced for a Super-Tuscan!

2018 Banfi Aska Bolgheri Rosso (Tuscany, Italy) – $22.49 (regularly $27.49)

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Author: Dirk Chan

The 2018 Bordeaux vintage is the first of a trio of legendary vintages, with 2019 arriving next year, and 2020 the year after that. Only one other time has Bordeaux had a trio of great vintages – it was 1988, 1989 and 1990. Many of you purchased futures for the 2018, 2019 and 2020 trio and it will serve you well down the road – what an intriguing theme it will be to taste these 3 vintages in a single evening.. Here is our first release of the Petit Chateaux from the 2018 vintage. Look out for the 2018 Grand Cru Classe in a little while..

Pictured left to right:

2018 Château Carlmagnus (Bordeaux – Fronsac, France) – $44.99
2018 Château Siran (Bordeaux – Margaux, France) – $79.99
2018 Château Poesia Grand Cru Classé (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $84.99
2018 Château d’Aiguilhe (Bordeaux – Cotes de Castillon, France) – $61.99
2018 Château Puy-Blanquet Grand Cru (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $53.99

Other available Petit Chateaux:

2018 Château Gloria (Bordeaux – St. Julien, France) – $99.99
2018 Château Labegorce (Bordeaux – Margaux, France) – $84.99
2018 Château Fombrauge (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $77.99
2018 Château Dalem (Bordeaux – Fronsac, France) – $65.99
2018 Château Alcee (Bordeaux – Castillon – Cotes de Bordeaux, France) – $49.99
2018 Château Puygueraud (Bordeaux – Cotes de Francs, France) – $45.99
2018 Château Larrivaux (Bordeaux – Haut-Medoc, France) – 44.99
2018 Château Civrac Lagrange Cuvee Plaisir (Bordeaux – Graves, France) – $24.99
2018 Château de Camarsac Bordeaux Supérieur (Bordeaux, France) – $23.99
2018 Château Canada (Bordeaux, France) – $22.99
2018 Château Le Grand Verdus Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Bordeaux Superieur (Bordeaux – Entre-Deux-Mers, France) – $21.99

Happy shopping everyone!!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2020 Romain Duvernay Cotes du Rhone Blanc (Rhone Valley) – $15.49, regularly $18.99.

The Duvernay family trace their history back to 1904 and over the years have become one of the most reliable and well-known wine growers in the Rhône, supplying the best part of the base wine for the Côtes-du-Rhônes of many famous producers, including the famous house Guigal.

Based at Châteauneuf-du-Pape with his father Roland, Romain Duvernay decided that the quality of fruit he was sourcing was so good that he would rather keep the best parcels and produce wine under his own label so in 1998, the Domaine Romain Duvernay was created.

One such wine they produce is the bargain and Best Bang white offered this week – it is made from 40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne, and 30% Viognier, the classic trio of grapes in a CdR or CdP white. This is both exotic and fresh with citrus fruit and a slightly oily texture. The palate has a litte creamy texture and superb balance with a vibrant acidity and a long minerally finish. Pairs very well with seafood, white meats, salads, and risottos. A super deal that was featured in our Best Bang for the Buck case over Xmas. Grab some quickly.

2020 Romain Duvernay Cotes du Rhone Blanc (Rhone Valley, France) – $15.49 (regularly $18.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2015 Agricola Domodimonti Il Messa Rosso (Marches, Italy) – $25.49, regularly $31.99.

Agricola Domodimonti is a young winery that began in 2003 – located in Domodimonti is a red wine from the region of Le Marche, in the Municipality of Montefiore Dell’Aso, in the Province of Ascoli Piceno, a natural and magical place that, thanks to their history, extraordinary beauty and its people, still possesses traditional values of the land.

This wine is a blend of 2 varietals which are Merlot and Montepulciano, a naturally made red wine full of blackberries and dark red fruits that finds a balance between acidity and tannins. The soil is both clayey and calcareous giving the wine a minerally edge. Southern exposure and 200m above sea level ensure perfect ripening of grapes yet expresses the history and land that it comes from. This wine generally goes well with grilled beef or veal.

2015 Agricola Domodimonti Il Messa Rosso (Marches, Italy) – $25.49 (regularly $31.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

In the early 1970’s, Francis Darroze hunted throughout the Gascony countryside for the best barrels of Armagnacs from various estates. In more than 40 years, the Darroze Collection grew and today there is a very impressive selection of 250 different Armagnacs from 30 properties spanning more than 50 vintages. Francis’ son Marc, a trained oenologist takes care of the Armagnac aging today.

Bas Armagnac is a region in southwest France near Gascony, is one of three plantation areas in the Armagnac area where grapes for the distillation of the Armagnac eau-de-vie can be cultivated. This distinctive brandy is distilled from grapes Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Baco 22A. Volume of production is much smaller than the more famous Cognac region. Armagnac is only distilled once (versus twice in Cognac’s), and is the oldest brandy distilled in France, and in the past was consumed for its therapeutic benefits.

While the law required a minimum of ten years of aging in oak barrels, Darroze will wait 15 or more years before releasing. deVine did a special order for the Darroze Collection of single estate and single vintage Bas Armagnacs for your consideration. Most of the vintages we’ve selected are those vintages where wine at a world wide level were not as successful, so as to provide vintage dated spirits for those hard to find birthyears. Thus we have five bottlings ending with the year of 2 for those turning 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 in 2022. Very limited availability on these, so grab while supply lasts.