deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Hot on the heels of the equally great 2009 vintage, 2010 is yet another legendary year for Bordeaux which will be highly sought out throughout its lifetime. While the 2009 are fruity and flamboyant (the California vintage), the 2010’s are in the more classic, ageworthy style – the comparison between these two vintages will parallel the still ongoing debate between the 1989 and 1990 vintages.

Please join us on Saturday, February 22nd at 7pm, as we taste the 2010 Right Bank (of the Gironde River) Bordeaux in our Top Drops series – this sit-down tasting will feature the Merlot dominant right-bank wines from the famous and expensive appellations of St. Emilion and Pomerol. We’ll serve appropriate food pairing, and the highlights will be the second-to-last-ever vintage of the Chateau Magdelaine and a surprise aged bottling.

Many of the best Merlots grown in the world are in these two small appellations. Don’t let “Sideways” discourage you, Merlot is heavenly when it is done right and are as ageworthy as their Left Bank Cabernet Sauvignon cousins. Only 18 seats available for this sure-fire sit-down sellout, so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.

Register for the Top Drops: 2010 Right Bank Bordeaux tasting here..

Check out all available 2009 Right Bank wines..

Check out all available 2010 Right Bank wines..

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Author: Dirk Chan

Dessert wines, sometimes called pudding wines and ‘stickies’ by wine afficionados, are sweet wines typically served with the dessert course at the end of a meal. The category is fairly loosely defined – in the UK, a dessert wine is considered to be any sweet wine drunk with a meal, as opposed to the white fortified wines (fino and amontillado sherry) usually drunk before the meal, and the red fortified wines (port and madeira) drunk after dinner. In the United States, by contrast, a dessert wine is legally defined as any wine over 14% alcohol by volume, which includes all fortified wines. Thus, most fortified wines are regarded as distinct from dessert wines, but some of the less strong fortified white wines, such as Pedro Ximénez sherry and the French Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, are regarded as honorary dessert wines.

Most dessert wines are made either by Noble Rot – a grey fungus, Botrytis cinerea, that proliferates in moist conditions that concentrates the juices in the grapes. If the weather stays wet, it develops into “grey rot,” can destroy crops. Grapes typically become infected with Botrytis when they are ripe. If they are then exposed to drier conditions and become partially raisined which is a good thing when picked at a certain point during infestation can produce particularly fine and concentrated sweet wine. The most famous wine of this method is the French Sauterne.

The other method is the “Ice Wine” method, where the grapes freeze on the vine to concentrate the juices. Canadian Icewine regulation decree the grapes can only be picked only when the temperature reaches -8C. The German version is called Eiswein.

Another category of after dinner drinks is the Fortified wines – Sherry from Spain and Ports from Portugal. Sherry is made from white grapes grown near the town of Jerez in Andalusia, Spain mainly from the Palomino grape, After fermentation is complete, the base wines are fortified with grape spirit in order to increase their final alcohol content. Port, made in the Douro Valley, made from indigenous grapes and are very long aging.

Other countries have their fair share of dessert wines – Vin Santo and a sparkling version called Moscato d’Asti from Italy, Tokaji from Hungary, amongst many other types.

Please join us on Thursday, February 13th, as we sample all kinds of sweet dessert wines. We’ll talk about their wine-making process and styles and grapes, and specific food pairings. It is a night for those with a sweet tooth. Bring your Valentine with you!

You can register for the Fortifies & Stickies tasting here..

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Author: Jim Phelan

The history of wine in South Africa dates back to supply stations set up on the Cape of Good Hope by the Dutch East India Company. In 1659 Cape Town’s founder Jan van Riebeeck, a Dutch surgeon, produced South Africa’s first wine. His vineyards were planted for producing grapes and wines as to fight sailor’s scurvy over long spice route voyages.

The viticulture industry experienced numerous fluctuations over the next three centuries. Colonial Governors ran the gamut from excellent to abhorrent during the age of imperialism. The Constantia wine estate became world renowned in the late 18th century as a favourite of European Kings and Emperors, only to fall into disrepair during the 1860s. A wine lake of overproduction in the early 1900s caused producers to pour excess stock into local rivers and streams. After declaring independence in 1961, South Africa’s wine continued to receive meagre attention internationally, a fact intensified by Apartheid-era boycotts against South African goods.

When Apartheid at last ended in the late 1980s and early 1990s, South Africa’s nationwide KWV wine co-operative was replaced and reorganised into the private business wards recognised today. Well known varietals such as Shiraz, Cabernet, and Chardonnay were introduced to the country at internationally competitive prices. As part of a switch to emphasize quality of production, the Vine Improvement Programme was established to integrate new techniques and technologies with an international approach to viticulture and winemaking. The majority of production occurs around Cape Town in the West, with notable hotbeds at Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Swartland, among 60 recognized wards (roughly the equivalent of French appellations) spread over the South African Cape.

Over the past decade, South African producers have earned a new international burst of popularity for their approachable, opulent and yet affordable wines in several varietals. Over 70% of all grapes harvested in South Africa today make it to the open market as wine, up from only 30% two decades ago. As of 2012, South Africa plants the 17th most acreage of wine in the world at just over 100,000 hectares, and produces just less than one million tonnes of wine annually, 8th worldwide. The increasing presence of foreign winemakers entering South Africa, called flying winemakers, accelerated and enhanced South Africa’s wine quality and growth on the international market.

While traditionally South African reds held a reputation for coarseness, modern vintners take advantage of controlled yields to ensure proper ripeness and create softer, fresher wines in conjunction with oak fermentation, and increased temperature control. Red grapes have become much more commonly planted as a result. Almost half of all South African grapes grown are now red, as opposed to less than 20% in the 1990s. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot and the trademark Pinotage make up the most popular red varietal (or cultivar). As for white wines, Chenin Blanc remains the most widely produced wine in the country, at just less than 20 percent. Other popularly produced white cultivars are Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

deVine wines will soon be celebrating the growth in value and quality of South African wines on Saturday, February 1st with our South African Safari tasting. You can register for the tasting here..

Until then, here are some wonderful South African wines you can find on the shelves of deVine:

2012 Durbanville Hills Sauvignon Blanc – $16.99

2008 KWV Cathedral Cellar Pinotage – $16.99

2011 Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc – $19.99

2004 Annandale Cavalier – $27.99

2008 Lammershoek Pinotage – $30.99

2011 Glen Carlou Quartz Stone Chardonnay – $32.99

2010 Boekenhoutskloof Syrah – $57.99

2007 Rudera Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon – $67.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

From all of us at deVine’s to you and yours, we wish you a most Happy New Year in 2014 with all the best for happiness, good health and prosperity.

May good fortune and luck follow you wherever you go and in everything you do for the coming year.

We thank you for your continued patronage!

From Ed, Annabelle, Chad, Dirk, Mark, Chris, Rick, Bill, Kelsey, Kandice, Bob and Jim

To bring in the New Year, here are some sparkling wine recommendations:

Sparkling Wines:

NV Undurraga Sparkling Brut – $14.99

NV Bodegas Pinord Dibon Brut Cava – $15.99

NV Vedova ‘Fordue’ Extra Dry Prosecco – $19.99

NV Cantina Colli del Soligo Prosecco Solicum – $21.99

NV Francois Lichtle Methode Traditionelle Rosé – $26.99

Champagne:

2009 Campolargo Espumante Bruto Rosé – $30.99

NV Bellavista Cuvee Franciacorta Saten Brut – $74.99

NV Dumangi La Grande Reserve Brut – 375mL – $25.99

NV Gremillet Brut Selection – $44.99

NV Champagne Pierre Paillard Grand Cru Brut – $54.99

2005 Henri Billiot et Fils Grand Cru Brut – $69.99

NV Nicolas Maillart Brut Rosé Grand Cru – $71.99

NV Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut – $82.99

2002 D de Devaux La Cuvée – $102.99

NV Pierre Peters Cuvée de Reserve Grand Cru Magnum – $134.99

2004 Bollinger La Grande Année Brut – $179.99

2000 Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Brut – $214.99

2003 Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon Brut – $234.99

1990 Veuve Clicquot Cave Privée Brut – $259.99

1989 Veuve Clicquot Cave Privée Rosé Brut – $319.99

2005 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut – $349.99>

NV Krug Rosé – $464.99

NV Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Blanc de Blancs – $449.99

2002 Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon Brut Magnum – $649.99

Author: Dirk Chan

From all of us at deVine’s to you and yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2014 with all the best for happiness, good health and prosperity.

May good fortune and luck follow you wherever you go and in everything you do for the coming year.

We thank you for your continued patronage!

From Ed, Annabelle, Chad, Dirk, Mark, Chris, Rick, Bill, Kelsey, Kandice, Mary Christa, Bob and Jim

For the last minute shoppers, here are some gift recommendations:

Wine Nic Nacs:

Franmara Two-Prong Cork Extractor with Birch Sheath – $13.99

Franmara Rock Ice Cubes – $23.99

Oopsmark Bicycle Wine Rack – $49.99

Stemware & Decanters:

Riedel Vinum Montrachet Glass – $24.99

Schott Zwiesel Forte Claret Goblet – $16.99

Riedel Vinum Bordeaux Pay 6 Get 8 Pack – $239.99

Riedel Paloma Decanter – $479.99

Bubbles:

NV Undurraga Sparkling Brut – $14.99

NV Vedova Fordue Extra Dry Prosecco – $19.99

NV Francois Lichtle Methode Traditionnelle Rosé – $26.99

NV Champagne Pierre Paillard Grand Cru Brut – $54.99

NV Nicolas Maillart Brut Rosé Grand Cru – $71.99

1990 Veuve Clicquot Cave Privée Brut – $259.99

2000 Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Brut – $214.99

NV Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Blanc de Blancs – $449.99

Whites:

2012 Plaimont Les Vignes Retrouvees Saint Mont – $17.99

2012 Glen Carlou Classic Chardonnay – $21.99

2010 Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Fruhlingspatzchen Riesling Spatlese – $42.99

2010 Zind-Humbrecht Hengst Grand Cru Gewurztraminer – $85.99

Reds:

2012 Undurraga Sibaris Reserva Pinot Noir – $16.99

2008 Campolargo Contra a Corrente Tinto – $22.99

2010 Mullineux Syrah – $34.99

2010 Seghesio Cortina Zinfandel – $49.99

2005 Tenuta San Leonardo – $76.99

2006 Leonetti Merlot – $99.99

2010 Sea Smoke Ten Pinot Noir – $149.99

2008 Vina Cobos uNico Marchiori Vineyard – $199.99

Spirits:

2000 J.L. Chave Hermitage – $549.99

Adelphi Private Stock Deluxe Blend – $29.99

Don Julio Anejo – $84.99

Both’s Old Tom Gin – $94.99

1977 Chateau de Montifaud Millesime Cognac – $209.99

Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel Bourbon – $109.99

Tamanohikari Gold Omachi Daiginjo Junmai Sake – $58.99

Rum Nation Panama 18 Year Old Rum – $90.99

Ardbeg Corryvreckan Single Malt Scotch – $119.99

Laphroaig 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch – $599.99

Endings:

2009 Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Late Harvest Malbec – $26.99

2003 Domaine Berthet-Bondet Vin de Paille – $52.99

2004 Isole e Olena Vin Santo – $67.99

2010 Hexamer Meddersheimer Altenberg Riesling Eiswein – $89.99

1965 Messias Colheita – $124.99

1994 Warre’s Vintage Port – $119.99

2000 Tokaj Classic Aszu Essencia – $149.99

2003 Chateau d’Yquem Sauterne – $329.99

Author: Ed Fong

Save the date! Seventeen businesses on 104th-St. are coming together on Thursday, Dec 19 to say a collective “THANK YOU!” for your support throughout the year.

Please come visit us and enjoy the many special offers and activities provided by the following merchants and restaurants for your holiday festive season pleasure. We wish to say a collective Thank you to the residents and visitors to our street for your year round support. Without you, our valued customers, we would not be here!

Please contact the individual businesses below if you require further information.

Blue Plate Diner (4 PM to 10 PM), 10145-104th-St.
www.blueplatediner.ca or phone 780.429.0740
– 50% off on all bottles of wine

Blunt Salon (all day sale), Icon II Tower, 10142-104th-St.
www.bluntsaloninc.com or phone 780.498.1899
– 25% discount on all haircuts, styling and hair services (excludes hair products)

The Burg (all day promotion), 10190-104th-St.
www.theburg4st.ca/2013/ or phone 780.760.1780
– 50% off appetizers

Carbon Environmental Boutique (all day sale), 10184-104th-St.
www.carbonboutique.com or phone 780.498.1900
– A full day sale event
– In-store draw for a $50 gift certificate
– Free hot Christmas beverages

Cavern (all day sale during our 7 AM to 11 PM Extended Hours), #2, 10169-104th-St.
www.thecavern.ca or phone 780.455.1336
– 10% discount on your retail cheese purchase while quantities last

Coup (garment boutique) (all day sale), #101, 10137-104th-St.
www.coupboutique.com or phone 780.756.3032
– 20% discount on all clothing
– Free refreshments and light snacks while you shop and browse in the evening

Credo Coffee (all day promotion), Icon Tower I, 10134-104th-St.
www.credocoffee.ca or phone 780.935-5546
– Purchase or reload a gift card, and obtain an extra 10% of credit

Dauphine (all day sale), 10129-104th-St.
Phone 780.421-4410
– 10% discount on all packaged items

deVine Wines & Spirits (4 PM to 10 PM), 10111-104th-St.
www.devinewines.ca or phone 780.421.9463
– 10% discount on all regularly priced wines and spirits (excludes beer and specially prices mixed cases). No further discounts apply.
– Save up to 30% on a select group of wines
– Enjoy a free wine tasting while you shop and browse

– Enter your name for a chance to win a gift basket of wine

Evoolution (all day sale), Icon Tower I, 10130-104th-St.
www.evoolution.ca or phone 587.521.3445
– 10% discount on all purchases

Eye Care Group (all day sale from 9 AM to 9 PM), 10360-Jasper Ave.
www.eyecaregroup.ca or phone 780.437.2020
– All eyewear orders 25% off (frame & Rx lenses)

The Helm Clothing (all day sale), 10125-104th-St.
www.thehelmclothing.com or phone 780.425.4344
– Enjoy a 15% discount on our entire inventory of fine menswear
– Free refreshments while you shop and browse

Kelly’s Pub (all day promotion), 10156-104th-St.
www.kellyspubedmonton.com or phone 780.451.8825
– 25% discount on your food purchase
– 50% off on all bottles of wine

Mercer Tavern (all day promotion), 10363-104th-St.
www.mercertavern.com or phone 587.521.1911
– 25% discount on your food purchase

Roast Coffeehouse + Wine Bar (all day sale), 10359-104th-St.
www.roastcoffee.co or phone 587.521.1563
– 20% off on all food, beverages and gift cards

Tony the Tailor Ltd (all day chance to win), 10172-104th-St.
www.edmontontailor.com or phone 780.426.4654
– 5 In-store draws for a $15 Off Dry-cleaning Gift Certificate

Workhall Boutique (all day sale), #102, 10137-104th St.
www.workhallboutique.com or phone 780.224.3686
– 25% off clothing & accessories
– Enjoy sample of Pinocchio ice cream while you shop

Author: Dirk Chan

Since 1988, the popular American wine publication Wine Spectator has unveiled their Top 100 list of the most exciting wines of the past twelve months. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Top 100. Having reviewed 20,000 this year, the list came earlier this week with twelve countries represented (sorry Canada, none for you again).

It has become very trendy to acquire the wines that made the grade. The average score on the wines on this list is 93 and the price per bottle this year being $51 (very high). Again this year, the list is American dominated.with no less than 37 wines from south of the boarder. Most people are surprised with #1 being a Spanish wine, alas I applaud that selection as Spain is a hotbed of great winemaking at reasonable prices.

The availability of Top 100 wines this year is better than last year, we have eighteen wines for you to choose from. However, most are limited, so grab them sooner or later for some will run out well before Christmas. See the available Top 100 wines here..

Please also consider our annual Wine Spectator Top 100 tasting in early January – more info and registration here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

As is tradition, on the 3rd thursday of November, the world awaits in anticipation the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau. deVine’s shipment has just arrived. deVine will be receiving the 2013 Georges DuBoeuf Villages Beaujolais Nouveau – $22.99 this year.

For the price, the Villages is a much better bottling than the regular Nouveau. The Gamay grapes were picked just three weeks ago, and after a very short fermentation, it is bottled for its freshness while offerinig beautiful strawberry, black currant, bannana and some hints of cedar with a nice backbone that gives off bright, lively flavors of morello cherry confiture and finishing with hints of allspice and cloves. Nice smooth mouthfeel and virtually tannin free due to the short exposure to the skins. So, for your Beaujolais Nouveau party, serve this slightly chilled with some poultry or spicy meatballs and for something ambitious and over the top, a roast duck with a reduced cherry sauce.

Some interesting Nouveau tidbits:

1) The region of Beaujolais is 34 miles long from north to south and 7 to 9 miles wide north of Lyon in southeastern France

2) there are nearly 4000 growers in the region

3) Gamay is the only grape permitted for Beaujolais and only grapes grown in Beaujolais or Beaujolais Villages is permitted in Beaujolais Nouveau, there are no grapes from the Cru vineyards allowed

4) Beaujolais Nouveau must be drank sooner than later and served slightly cool at about 13C.

5) Beaujolais Nouveau is a marvel of modern day advertising, with the marketing engine in full force, arriving just in time for the American thanksgiving, and 70 million bottles overall. How they manage to ship everything in a timely manner boggles the mind.

Enjoy this with a large group of friends or family, and serve it slightly chilled.

Purchase your 2013 DuBeouf Beaujolais Nouveau online here..

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Author: Chad Gascho

It’s safe to say that Albertans are enjoying one of the best selections of craft beer in the country. Since the privatization of liquor in 1993 the ability to import brews from all over the world has become more simplified and has allowed for the incredible amount of variety that can be seen in retail liquor stores today. There are about 1500 different varieties available in the Alberta market, with craft beer making up around 2/3 of that selection, at least doubling what was available 10years ago. Brand loyalty for our domestic brands (Molson, Coors, Kokanee, etc.) still exists but has started to fade with the lure of something new and different. Why have we seen such a steady increase in craft beer consumption? My opinion is that in this era of information, a new generation of people are more open to and embracing the variety that life has to offer; in this case, fresh and innovative brews. After all, it is the third most consumed beverage in the world (water then tea being at the top of the list).

So what does ‘craft’ beer mean? Essentially, a craft beer has been defined as an independently owned brewery using fresh, natural, and quality ingredients that are made in relatively small batches (between 1,800,000 and 600,000,000 L year), where more focus is on creativity and distinguishing flavors throughout the brewing process. In comparison, the mass producing corporate breweries (which pump out several billion L year) target a generalized array of tastes, keeping costs down by sometimes substituting corn or rice for malted barley, which will create alcohol but sacrifices flavor. They also pasteurize to cut costs, which increases shelf life, again sacrificing some of the flavor. Some big brewers hasten fermentation with enzymes that make a kind of beer concentration, which they will later add water to. None of the above happens when a craft beer is produced with the exception of pasteurization, which is uncommon, but does seldom happen. Now, this doesn’t mean that a big brewer doesn’t manufacture a decent beer; it’s just generally limited stylistically. Nor does it mean that a crafted brew will always be a better product (I’ve had some duds in my time), but the diverse range of brews that can be ‘crafted’ are abundant and there is something for everyone; from a Czech style pilsner to an Imperial IPA to barrel aged stouts. There seems to be no shortage of fresh, new products rolling into the province on a weekly basis and there’s no sign of it slowing down any time soon, which is fantastic…keep it coming!

At deVine Wines our primary focus is on the wines we carry, but we’ve also always been passionate about the selection of beers that we stock – a majority portion of those being craft beer. I like to think that our selection of beer throughout the years has had some influence on how Edmontonians have diversified their taste for new and different brews, ultimately directing us towards the craft beer explosion we’re seeing today. When we first opened in 2005, we started with a stock of around a 100 or so different varieties and we’ve continuously grown our selection to the over 300 products on the shelves today. Not too bad for a little boutique store, eh? We are committed to keep continuously growing our selection, striving to provide a vast range of flavors and experiences for our customers. And keep your eye out in the future for upcoming beer related pouring’s, tastings and events. Stay Thirsty Edmonton!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Hot on the heels of the equally great 2009 vintage, 2010 is yet another legendary year which will be highly sought out throughout its lifetime. While the 2009 are fruity, flamboyant and California like, the 2010s are in the classic, ageworthy style – the comparison between these two vintages will parallel the ongoing debate between 1989 and 1990.

Our last Top Drops tasting of 2013 on Saturday, November 23 at 7pm will feature the Merlot dominant Right-bank wines from the famous and expensive appellations of St. Emilion and Pomerol. The growing season was near perfect in 2010, and the earlier ripening Merlot was in top shape for these two appellations. The other grapes, Cabernet Franc and tiny amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon also saw an ideal growing season.

Pomerol saw tiny yields due to small grape size, thus the fabulous concentration, the 2010’s compares favourably to other historic vintages like 2009, 2005, and 1998 while St. Emilion in 2010 may be even more consistent as an appellation than 2009, it can be spoken in the same breath as the legendary 2005 and 1998’s. Speaking of 1998, perhaps a surprise wine from that vintage is in store for those who attend to sample some of the greatest Merlot based wines made anywhere in the world.

Only 18 seats available for this event, so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment. Register online for the Top Drops: 2010 Right Bank Bordeaux tasting here..

For complete listing of all available 2010 Left Bank wines, click here..

For complete listing of all available 2010 Right Bank wines, click here..

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