deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

On Saturday, April 16th, at 7pm deVine Wines will be hosting our first ever Cider House Rules tasting. Craft cider, both Old World and North American, is in the midst of an incredible renaissance. Craft ciders are swiftly transforming into a trendy drink choice du jour, bringing together wine lovers, beer geeks, bubbles fans, and gluten free drinkers alike with products equally flavourful, complex & refreshing.

Made in a similar way to wine and served in the same sort of fashion as beer, cider has something for everyone. So it’s not a big surprise that this fast rising apple-based beverage, in particularly craft cider, is becoming In Thing locally. We’re starting to recommend a lot of ciders as starters in lieu of Bubbles – it has the aromatic complexity similar to wine and a clean cut refreshing taste that works wonders as an aperitif or matching with appetizers. I’d bet its going to be big in the summertime. The next time you want something different to begin an evening, keep cider in the back of your mind.

Join us for this $30 stand-up tasting to find out why cider is the fastest growing category of alcoholic beverage in North America. We will taste through some of our favourite cideries available on the market today employing traditional methods and materials. Producers such as Finnriver, Reverend Nat’s, Cidres Le Brun, Manior du Kinkiz, & J.K.’s offer sophisticated and unique products with crisp flavours, wonderful tartness and complex sugars. Let your palate come of age during the deVine Cider House Rules tasting!

Register for our Cider tasting here..

In the meantime, here are a couple of recommendations to get you started down the Cider Path…

Domaine de la Minotiere Organic Cider Fermier Brut (Loire Valley, France) – 750mL – $12.99


Cascadia Ciderworkers United Dry Hard Apple Cider (Oregon, United States) – 4 Cans – $20.99

Author: Dirk Chan

The 2005 vintage in France was monumental, and in the famous Pinot Noir region of Burgundy, it was the best vintage since the year 1990. Subsequently, 2009 and 2010 are also phenomenal and the current release of 2012’s are excellent as well.

If you want to discover Pinot Noir at its best, the 2005’s are now starting to re-awaken and are drinking very well (try pairing with duck confit!). The prices are not cheap (but Burgundy never is), and we have a few that would be wonderful for a special occasion or you can continue to cellar for another 7-8 more years for even more complexity.

Note these are extremely limited so act quickly before they are all gone.

2005 Vincent Girardin Corton Perrières Grand Cru (Burgundy – Côte de Beaune, France) – $139.99

2005 Louis Jadot Chambolle Musigny Les Fuees Premier Cru (Burgundy – Côte de Nuits, France) – $144.99

2005 Louis Jadot Pommard Les Rugiens Premier Cru (Burgundy – Côte de Beaune, France) – $149.99

2005 Domaine d’Ardhuy Corton Hautes Mourottes Grand Cru (Burgundy – Côte de Beaune, France) – $149.99

2005 Louis Jadot Nuits St. Georges Les Boudots Premier Cru (Burgundy – Côte de Nuits, France) – $149.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Wanting to learn more about wine? Well, it’s time for another session of our ever popular Wine Basics, the introductory wine appreciation themed tasting, scheduled
for Saturday, February 20th at 7pm at the store.

We will tastethree whites and three reds which are made from a single grape varietal, you will discover their typical characteristics. We will touch on wine serving tips, food pairing and wine etiquette all in an informal, relaxed setting.

This sit-down event for 34 seats sells out every time, so for those beginners wanting to delve into the wild world of wine, this is a great starting point at the great price of $30/person.

Advanced registration is required, please book your spot here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

With the help of our friend Roy Hersh from For the Love of Port, we have ordered through Flying Wines some very rare and collectible Tawny and Vintage Ports from the house Quinta do Mourão.

Most of you have not heard of this house before, the Braga Family has owned this estate since 1972, but its history dates back to the 16th century. Located just down the river and around the bend from Peso da Regua in the heart of the Douro’s Baixo Corgo. Owner/winemaker Miguel Braga runs the show having taken over from his father Mario who originally purchased this property. They previously sold their fruit to the big houses, and in 1999 decided to market their own.

Roy has been pursuing this house for many years, and it is quite a coup for us to have the Mourão ports in Edmonton. This producer seems to fly under the radar, but makes some of the finest wood-aged Ports in the entire Douro region and the proof is in the pudding once you’ve tasted these.

The family owns four other Quintas, and the story behind the Sao Leonardo label on their wines refers to a viewpoint in the valley that stood in between two such Quintas. At the time of purchase, these were managed by the respective sons who would meet at this half way point between them, thus for tradition’s sake, the label on the wines became S. Leonardo.

We’ve got for your consideration their 10, and their superb 40 and 60 Year Old Tawny Ports, as well as their Vintage Ports from 2000, 2007, and 2009. Please note quantities for all are extremely limited.

A few words must be said about the extra rare and quite extraordinary 60 Year Old Tawny, if such as thing were to exists – there is no official designation in Portugal for a 60 Year Old, so the label is technically 40, but with a tiny booklet and sticker of ’60’ attached to the bottle. Miguel’s blend is 80% from the 1948 and 20% from his phenomenal “mother wine” from 1972.

Having tasted this at a recent gathering (where there was complete silence for a couple of minutes with attendees mesmorized and searching for accolades), this writer must rank it amongst the top three tawnies I’ve ever tasted, completely in line with the 1855 Taylor Scion that costs ten times as much as this. The palate is so long and persistent, it defies description, i half expected tears from someone in the room! Given the quality, the $460 price tag is a massive giveaway. Needless to say if you want something truly memorable, get this while we still have a couple of bottles for sale!

Here are the links to the available Mourão ports:

2000 Quinta do Mourao Sao Leonardo Vintage Port – $84.99

2007 Quinta do Moursao Sao Leonardo Vintage Port – $89.99

2007 Quinta do Moursao Sao Leonardo Vintage Port – $89.99

NV Quinta do Mourao Sao Leonardo 10 Year Old Tawny Port – $48.99

NV Quinta do Mourao Sao Leonardo 40 Year Old Tawny Port – $192.99

NV Quinta do Mourao Sao Leonardo 60 Year Old Tawny Port – $459.99

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Author: Jim Phelan

Join us on Saturday, January 9th at deVine Wines & Spirits while we explore one of the great grandfathers of craft beer: Belgium. The country’s rich brewing history dates back to the First Crusades in the 12th Century and has influenced the brewing culture of every nation across the globe. Belgian beer styles are also among the most diverse of any country, ranging from Trappist and Abbey beers, through a number of different sours, wits, saison, and even ‘Champagne’ beers finished “à la méthode originale.”

Belgian brews are taken seriously enough that many have a particular goblet to enjoy each style in, and are perfectly paired to certain styles of cuisine. A full six course meal can (and does) get paired with Belgian beer. In January, we’ll scratch the surface of this rich culture with a sit down, guided tasting.

Book your tickets to this event online here..

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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 2016 with all the best for happiness, good health and prosperity.

May good fortune and luck follow you wherever you go and in all that you do for the coming year, 2016.

We thank you for your continued patronage!

Ed, Annabelle, Chad, Dirk, Mark, Chris, Bill, Kandice, Jim, Bob and Kaitlyn

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

Sparkling

NV Charles de Fère Jean Louis Blanc de Blancs Brut (Loire Valley, France) – $15.99

NV Bodegas Pinord Dibon Brut Cava (Penedès, Spain) – $16.99

NV Château Ste. Michelle Brut (Washington – Columbia Valley, United States) – $18.99

2006 Wachtenburg Spatburgunder Sekt (Rheinpfalz, Germany) – $21.99

2013 Val d’Oca Extra Dry Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Uvaggio Storico (Veneto, Italy) – $23.99

2013 Julius Klein Gelber Muskateller Frizzante (Austria); – $26.99

NV Rolet Crémant du Jura Brut Rosé (Jura, France) – $27.99

2014 Quinta do Soalheiro Espumante Bruto Alvarinho (Vinho Verde, Portugal) – $44.99

Champagne

NV Godmé Père et Fils Brut Réserve Premier Cru (Champagne, France) – $51.30

NV Le Brun Servenay Brut Sélection (Champagne, France) – $55.99

NV Jose Dhondt Blanc de Blancs Brut (Champagne, France) – $56.99

NV Champagne Philipponnat Royale Reserve (Champagne, France) – $61.99

NV Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Mailbox Brut (Champagne, France) – $70.99

2002 Devaux D de Devaux La Cuvee (Champagne, France) – $102.99

2000 Devaux Millesime Brut Reserve 1.5L Magnum(Champagne, France) – $249.99

2009 Bollinger 007 Spectre Limited Edition (Champagne, France) – $279.99

2000 Krug Brut (Champagne, France) – $324.99

2005 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut (Champagne, France) – $349.99

2000 Moet & Chandon Dom Pérignon Rosé (Champagne, France) – – $379.99

NV Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Blanc de Blancs (Champagne, France) – $449.99

2002 Moet & Chandon Dom Pérignon Brut 1.5L Magnum (Champagne, France) – $649.99

Here are our store hours leading up to the New Year:

Tuesday, Dec 29 – 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday, Dec 30 – 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday, Dec 31 – 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday, Jan 1 – Closed

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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 2016 with all the best for happiness, good health and prosperity.

May good fortune and luck follow you wherever you go and in all that you do for the coming year, 2016.

We thank you for your continued patronage!

Ed, Annabelle, Chad, Dirk, Mark, Chris, Bill, Kandice, Jim, Bob and Kaitlyn

Here are our store hours leading up to the New Year:

Saturday, Dec 26 – Closed
Sunday, Dec 27 – noon – 6:00 pm
Monday, Dec 28 – 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday, Dec 29 – 10:00 am – 8:00pm
Wednesday, Dec 30 – 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday, Dec 31 – 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday, Jan 1 – Closed

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Author: Dirk Chan

As we quickly approach Christmas, time is at a premium. Here are several pre-packaged products for quick in and out shopping for your consideration:

Beer Advent Calendars

12 Days of Christmas Beer Sampler

deVine Wines Staff Picks Case

December Case of the Month

A Tasting at deVine’s

We also make gift baskets, give us your budget, a bit of notice and we can have everything ready for you in short order.

Remember too you can always shop online too!

Here are our extended store hours for the Christmas Season:

Saturday, Dec 19 – 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday, Dec 20 – noon – 6:00 pm
Monday, Dec 21 – 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday, Dec 22 – 10:00 am – 9:00pm
Wednesday, Dec 23 – 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday, Dec 24 – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, Dec 25 – Closed
Saturday, Dec 26 – Closed

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Author: Dirk Chan

Leaving Ribera del Duero, we then travelled east to the Rioja wine region. There are very few wineries in Spain… in the world for that matter, whose name conjures up the heritage, prestige and adherence to old world winemaking quite like R. López de Heredia. Little about this winery has changed in the 138 years since it’s founding by Don Rafael López de Heredia founded it in 1877. The family adheres to a winemaking doctrine blueprinted in the 1880’s – to make wine only from their own vineyards.

Located in the historic town of Haro, Heredia was the first to establish their winery next to the train station (for easy access to transporting their wines abroad). This area is known as ‘Station District’, there are seven famous wineries that make up this Golden Mile of Rioja – made up of Roda, Muga, Cune, La Rioja Alta, Gomez Cruzado, Bilbainas and Heredia.

Haro is a must visit for wine lovers (there’s not much else to do if you don’t like wine). Getting here from the north is a two hour train ride from Bilbao, from the south it is a 3.5 hour drive from Madrid, or accessible from the Ebro axis from the east via Logrono (53km) which is where we stayed on our trip.

Tondonia is the most famous vineyard in Rioja, having been acquired from the clergy in 1913, it is a beautiful vineyard over 247 acres at 1600 feet above sea level on the right bank of the Ebro with alluvial clay where all 4 red grapes (Tempranillo – the main grape, Mazuelo, Graciano and Garnarcha) are grown. A 1970 Tondonia Gran Reserva tasted on this trip was probably our wine of the trip, spectacular secondary characteristics with leaf, tea, gravel, wild mushrooms on the nose, stellar acidity (with no tannins), sage and savory elements on the balanced palate – extraordinary. Hard to believe but the current release of the Gran Reserva is their 1981 – that is how long they are prepared to wait to release their best. When it was released, it sold so quickly that the winery decided to put a hold on shipping until further notice the demand was so high. It is mind-boggling how much time and money are sitting in their cellars – these wines are stored until the winemakers feel it is peaking before they are released.

Besides Tondonia, the other single vineyards Bosconia, Cubillo and Zaconia all have their own special traits that speak to the soil and terroir, all beautifully expressive of the land. Only estate bottled fruit is used in their wines which are legendary and renowned for their ageability (and that includes the longaging white), beautiful traditionally made style with elegance and complexity in abundance.

While the cellars are ancient, there are modern elements as in the main entrance to the pavilion is a modern building in the shape of a decanter (see above) created by Dame Zaha Hadid, the famous Iraqi-British architect. Its unique onion peel layers is distinctly neofuturistic with different presentations and multiple perspective points giving different impressions.

Stepping into the cellars themselves is like stepping back in time to the 1880’s. There are barrels that are 140 years old still in use and then there is the cobwebby cellars. If they leak, they are repaired. Those who don’t like penicillin or webs or dampness better stay home, but alas this micro-climate takes decades to develop and gives the cellaring conditions that make these wines special. They also employ their own cooper to make barrels as required.

Thus a definite hilite of our entire trip to one of the leading wineries in all of Spain. You must all try these exceptional wines if you are at all interested in Rioja.

Here is a list of available Heredia wines at deVine’s:

2006 Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo Crianza – 375mL – $24.99

2006 Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo Crianza – $36.99

2004 & 2005 Lopez de Heredia Rioja Blanco Vina Gravonia Crianza – $39.99

2004 Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva – $47.99

2002 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva – $54.99

2003 Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva – $54.99

2001 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva Magnum – $149.99

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