deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Easter is this weekend, and you’ll want some celebratory wines to accompany turkey & ham dinner or that special meal you’ll be preparing.

We receive many requests for food and wine pairings for this festive weekendso please contact us sooner than later for the best available selection and recommendations. If you have special needs, please let us know and we’ll be glad to help. Enjoy the long weekend everyone.

Our store hours this weekend are:

Good Friday: 12 -6pm
Saturday: 10-7pm
Easter Sunday: Closed
Monday: 10-6pm

In the meantime, those looking for the classic pairings with turkey, ham and all the regular fixings, please see below some of our favourites:

Starters:

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

2013 Domaine Rosier Cuvee du Rosier (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $19.99

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

2013 Campolargo Espumante Bruto Rosé (Bairrada, Portugal) – $30.99

NV Godme Pere et Fils Brut Reserve Premier Cru (Champagne, France) – $56.99

2005 Nicolas Maillart Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru Les Francs de Pied (Champagne, France) – $149.99

1998 Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon Plenitude P2 (Champagne, France) – $499.99

Whites:

2014 Spier Signature Chenin Blanc (Western Cape, South Africa) – $15.49

2014 Koster-Wolf Albiger Hundskopf Riesling Spatlese (Rheinhessen, Germany) – $18.99

2013 Chai du Grand Vaudasniere (Vouvray, France) – $23.49

2014 Quinta do Soalheiro Alvarinho (Melgaco, Portugal) – $24.99

2014 Wild Goose Autumn Gold (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $27.99

2012 Glen Carlou Quartz Stone Chardonnay (Paarl, South Africa) – $36.99

2012 Erbes Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany) – $49.99

2010 Domaine Lucien Jacob Savigny-Vergelesses Premiere Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $49.99

2011 Ridge Monte Bello Chardonnay (California – Sonoma, United States) – $104.99

2009 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc (Bordeaux – Pessac-Leognan, France) – $229.99

Rosé:

2014 Clos de l’Amandaie Chat Pitre Rosé (Pays d’Oc, France) – $19.99

2014 Leitz Rosé (Rheingau, Germany) – $22.99

Reds:

2012 Feudo Arancio Stemmari Nero d’Avola (Sicily, Italy) – $15.99

2014 Domaine de Bachellery Pinot Noir (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $18.99

2013 Clos La Coutale Cahors (Cahors, France) – $20.99

2012 Domaine les Cotes de la Roche Julienas (Beaujolais, France) – $24.99

2010 d’Arenberg Feral Fox Pinot Noir (Adelaide Hills, Australia) – $31.99

2004 Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $49.99

2010 Domaine de Marcoux (Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France) – $71.99

2007 Le Macchiole Toscana Paleo Rosso (Tuscany, Italy) – $109.99

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

2003 Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella (Veneto, Italy) – $449.99

2005 Château L’Eglise-Clinet (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $699.99

Finishers:

NV Miguel Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro (Penedès, Spain) – $19.99

2012 Glen Carlou Welder Chenin Blanc (Paarl, South Africa) – $24.49

Nonino Amaro (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy) – $47.99

2007 Domaine Dirler-Cade Gewurtzraminer Spiegel Grand Cru Sélection de Grains Nobles (Alsace, France) – – Regular – $94.99, On Special – $56.99

1988 Château Rieussec (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – $244.99

1995 Messias Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $59.99

2012 Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $84.99

1994 Dow’s Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $139.99

NV Quinta do Mourao Sao Leonardo 60 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $459.99

Happy Easter everyone!

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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