deVine Thoughts

Author: Hayley McRae

The spirits event of the Year! We are excited to present this fun-filled stand-up seminar and tasting hosted by Audrey Fort of EWG Spirits and Philip Duff, world renowned mixologist and Gin expert, featuring G’Vine gins, Excellia tequila and June liqueurs. Please join us Thursday April 28 at 7pm to learn about and taste through the history of Gin and cocktails.

The G’Vine Nouaison Gin we’ll be tasting was named ‘Best Distilled Gin in the world’ by renowned global authority Drinks International – it is distilled in Cognac with a botanical formula that includes green grape flowers resulting in a real unusual juniper kick that makes a great dry Martini.

The Excellia Reposado Tequila and the Excellia Anejo Tequila we’ll be tasting were both Double Gold Medal winners at the recent 11th Annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

This will be a well attended event, so please book early to avoid disappointment. More on the products and for registration, click here..

Philip Duff – Globetrotting cocktail guru, bar trainer, writer and Amsterdam speakeasy founder Philip Duff has been a leading figure in worldwide bartender training since forming Liquid Solutions Bar & Beverage Consulting in Rotterdam in 1999.

One of the world’s best-known bartenders among the mixology and media communities alike and a hilarious and engaging speaker, Philip’s sought-after bartender seminars have been attended by more than 10,000 students in over 100 cities around the globe and he has won awards and nominations from such institutions as the International Bartenders Association (IBA), the Flair Bartenders Association (FBA), Universidad del Cocktail (Argentina) and Tales of the Cocktail.
Also an in-demand writer, Philip writing has been widely published in magazines such as Mixology (Germany), BarLife (Czech Republic), Imbibe (UK), Imbibe (USA) and Australian Bartender. His articles have also appeared in Food & Wine (USA), Playboy, FHM, CLASS magazine, Bar & Beverage (Canada) and others too numerous to mention.

Audrey Fort – Marketing and Business Development Director EWG Spirits and Wine After a master in international trade and Russian language, Audrey started her career in the luxury goods in Moscow where she developed her “fighting spirit” (well, 1997 was certainly still a wild period…)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Bairrada is a Portuguese wine region located in the Beiras region of Central Portugal. This wine region is better known for its austere, unapologetic and long-lived reds made of local indigenous Baga grape. Carlos Campolargo Winery has not been bogged down by traditions and in the first of two Portuguese tastings in support of Al Fresco, we will feature a sit-down tasting with the influential third-generation winemaker, Carlos Campolargo.

His family has been working in viniculture and wine growing for several generations. Currently, with over 170 hectares under plant, there is over 300k bottles produced every year. With a history going back to the 1920’s, they now have cultivated dozens of different grape varieties (including Baga) yet still managing to respect the unique Bairrada terroir. The Campolargo wines are well-architectured and have delighted the consumers and received the highest acclaim from the wine media. Carlos has been chosen the wine producer of the year by numerous Portuguese magazine. He has also designed some of the most inspired wine labels around further helping his wines to stand out and be remembered in the competitive wine market.

Come and visit with Carlos and his Arinto and Bical whites, a Sparkler and his wide range of indigenous and international reds on Tuesday, April 12th at 7pm. Annabelle will preparing some authentic Portuguese fare as well in this rare tuesday night tasting. Please join us for this Al Fresco fundraiser in support of E4C Lunch Program. You can register for this tasting here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

There are many who consider Bordeaux the single most precious wine producing region in the world. With its illustrious history and a track record second to none for aging wines, it is no wonder why the prices are among the highest in the world. In the second in a three part Top Drops on Bordeaux for 2011, deVine will feature the P’s of Bordeaux on Saturday, April 9 at 7pm, focusing on three of the most sought after regions: Pauillac, Pomerol and Pessac-Leognan.

Pauillac is the most famous and prestigious left bank appellation – it is home of three of the five First Growths from the 1855 Classification. Generally, the Cabernet Sauvignon based reds result in a style that is full-bodied, tannic (hence ageworthy), creme de cassis, cedar and blackcurrants.

Pomerol is a tiny appellation by size but it is the king of the right bank. Some of the best Merlots grown in the world is from here. A robust wine, with an exclusive smooth quality akin to liquid velvet. Pomerols are expensive wines because of the relatively small amount of wines made (we’re talking a few thousand cases compared to tens of thousands from left bank wineries).

Pessac-Leognan is further south of Pauillac and the blend here is roughly 50-50 Cab and Merlot. The unmistakable quality of Pessacs are their powerful bouquet with cigar box, tobacco leaf and minerals quite noticeable and enthralling.

As usual with our Top Drops series of tastings, we’ll taste a young, mid-term and an older bottling from each of these three regions. It promises to be a thrilling tasting where we’ll talk appellation characteristics, Bordeaux futures, storage, great vintages and all things Bordeaux. Serious tasting of course given the $125 price tag but sure-to-be fun and informative as well. There are only 6 spots left for this sit-down event so book your spot now to avoid disappointment. Click here to register now..

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Author: Dirk Chan

The much anticipated 3rd Annual Al Fresco block party on 104th Street is scheduled for Saturday, June 11th. It will be the biggest and best one yet with numerous new ideas and special events being planned. Look for our online auction webpage coming very shortly with both a wide array of desirable and collectible items for your consideration. For the second year in a row, our fundraising will be in support of the E4C School Lunch Program.

As everyone knows, setting up a large event such as this requires lots of volunteers, hours and money. We will be doing a few events leading up to Al Fresco to generate some needed funds to make this event a success, the first of which is the Al Fresco in Italy tasting on Saturday, March 26 at 7pm at the store. This is a stand-up mingle festival style event with 15 wines from the Italian portfolio of Jennifer Klinck of Vendemmia International Wines being showcased. There will be some Southern Italian munchies provided by Daniel Costa and his new restaurant Corso 32 that will pair with the wines beautifully.

Tickets are selling very fast so register quickly to avoid disappointment. Unlike our other festival style tastings, there is no drop-in for this event due to the food component of this tasting. You can pre-register by clicking here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

If you are a classical music fan, you will be familiar with the Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky’s masterpiece – Pictures at an Exhibition. The re-occurring common ‘Promenade’ theme depicts the composer walking from picture to picture at a gallery, sometimes lively, sometimes ponderous, the movement is meant to show the difference in feeling the stroller has as each new painting is viewed.

devine is doing a variation on ‘Pictures’ with local photographer Fred Katz. The destination is Fred’s southside studio (10104 – 80 Avenue) on Thursday, March 17 at 7pm, and we’ll do several high-end wines with some delectible munchies. $50 of the $80 fee will go to support the Edmonton Support Network.

Fred Katz is an artist with an appreciation for the timeless and priceless value of portraiture. Strolling through the gallery, what is most outstanding to a visitor is the character and depth that each portrait has, what makes Katz one of Canada’s most successful portrait photography artists is the time he spends with each client, understanding the dynamics of their family and designing a portrait that reflects their unique lifestyle.

At the age of 30 Katz became one of the youngest Canadian photographers to receive the prestigious Master of Photographic Arts Award. He was the winner of Alberta’s Wedding Album competition for four consecutive years as well as Canadian winner for Best Electronically Imaged Portrait and recipient of the Fuji Film Masterpiece Gallery Award.

Peruse Fred’s photography and chat with the man himself while you enjoy fine wine and appreciate some fine portraiture. Mussorgsky would be proud! This is a stand-up in-studio event at the Fred Katz Photography Studio at 10104 – 80 Avenue.

Sign up for the Fred Katz Studio Wine Tasting here..

Visit Fred’s website at http://www.fredkatzphotography.com..

More on the Edmonton Support Network at http://www.thesupportnetwork.com..

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Author: Dirk Chan

Valentine’s Day is this coming monday and if you’re planning a quiet evening in, here are some interesting wines to share with that someone special in your life from starter wine to white to red to dessert wine, and in all price ranges. If you have more specific needs, please feel free to drop in the store and one of us will gladly help you pick the right wines for this very special occasion.

‘Bubbles – a must and French Champagne is the ultimate! A dozen roses and a rosé make a great pair! The gorgeously colored and deep Gremillet Brut Rosé Saignee – $56.99 will do nicely, big and bold enough for a meat based appetizer. The D de Devaux – $97.99 impresses with both elegance and precision – half Chardonnay and half Pinot, it hails from the exceptional 2002 vintage. For an inexpensive choice, the Raventos i Blanc L’Hereu Cava Brut Reserva – $27.99 is one of the best Cavas we’ve ever tasted – intoxicating flowery nose and an exuberant mouthfeel that is hard to resist.

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Author: Dirk Chan

My annual fearless crystal ball gazing into the wine scene, hard to believe another year has gone by so quickly.

Here are a few trends I see:

We saw it at Christmas time and it will continue into 2011, people want Best Bang value wines between $15 and $25 as their everyday drinkers so we will have to be on our toes to purchase the ones worthy of great value for money. People will splurge occasionally for something in the $40-75 range. Then there are others at the other end of the spectrum who can afford and continue to buy the ultra premium wines and spirits at > $100 price point.

I made this prediction last year and well, I’m hopeful to see the emergence of some Swiss wines (didn’t happen last year). It would be nice to have a new selection of top drawer Argentinean Malbecs and more selection for high end Chilean Carmenere. Finally, some more availability of inexpensive (but good) wines from Uruguay. A pleasant surprise would be to try some good Mexican reds should they appear in our market.

I feel sad to have to say this but after the record setting prices of Bordeaux 2009 futures campaign last year, there is no reprief as 2010 is hailed to be as good as 2009. With the Asian market buying at whatever cost, it looks like you will have to save up a lot of money to buy 2010. There is the comparison of 1988-89-90 triptych with that of 2008-09-10 and since 2010 has produced 30% less in terms of grapes due to bad flowering during the spring, there is less wine to go around this time so I can’t forsee a break in pricing (and let’s hope there’s no increase, cross your fingers). Those who missed the boat on 2009 Bordeaux can rectify by purchasing 2010 Bordeaux futures come May or June. Bordeaux certainly isn’t making it easy – this is hard on the pocket book as 2010 joins 2000, 2003 (less so), 2005, 2008 (specific regions only) and 2009 as must have vintages of the new millenium.

Great bargain regions from the new world will continue to be Argentina and Chile, while in the old world continues to be Portugual, Spain and Southern France. Note the 2009 Beaujolas vintage is the greatest in two decades..

Many people have started Wine Cellars, and in so doing, it is advisable to continue to buy good wines year in year out. After 8-10 years of consistent purchasing, you would have built a cellar that has wines for any and every occasion. In 2011, smart buyers should look to add some California 2008’s, German 2008 and 2009’s, Barolo and Barbaresco 2006’s, 2002 Champagnes, Amarone 2006’s and any late released 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Riservas to their collections. Those who were smart and bought right bank Bordeaux 2008’s will take shipment in the fall of 2011. Those who didn’t buy futures will suffer the wrath of a great right bank vintage and escalating shelf prices. Every good cellar must have some Bordeaux so set some money aside for the 2010 campaign as well.

Finally to end on a more optimistic note, with ever escalating warehousing costs with the AGLC, there will be deep discounts throughout the year as agents drop prices in order to move stock, all meaning deep bargains passed on to consumers.

Enjoy 2011 and make a resolution to expand your palate and try something new that you’ve not had before. Spend a few extra dollars to experience a wine of a higher level than your norm, it will expand your palate horizons and of course you’ll never go back…

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Author: Dirk Chan

There are many who consider Bordeaux to the best wine producing region in the world (and certainly one of the most expensive). Our first Top Drops tasting of 2011 will be part one of a three part exploration into this famed region. Part One Features the ‘Saints’ of Bordeaux. The river Gironde runs divides the left bank with its Cabernet Sauvignon dominant wines, while the right bank is Merlot dominant. We’ll sample three wines each from the left bank appellations of St. Estephe and St. Julien, and finish off with the right bank of St. Emilion. There will be a young wine, a mid-term wine and an older wine in each of the three flights to clearly demonstrate the traits and evolution of the wines in each of the three regions.

St. Estephe (the northern most region), and St. Julien although both left bank wines are radically different in character. The former is earthy, barnyardy and hard as nails when young. The latter is more about cedar, licorice and slightly softer and easier to drink. St. Emilion is a bolder appellation with the greatest number of estate and thus a great deal of difference in styles within the region. No two St. Emilions are the same as the blends and house styles can be extremely radical with new and old world influences even amongst neighbours.

We are eight people short of minimum quota to make this tasting a go, so if you’re interested at all in finding out about Bordeaux, please sign up as soon as possible.

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Author: Hayley McRae

The world of wine is ever changing and we are presented with more and more options. In order to understand what we like as consumers it is beneficial to be armed with as much knowledge as possible in this constantly changing industry. Throughout the past two years we have discussed and tasted wines by grape variety and country this year we are hoping to delve into regional differences within a wine growing country. Each tasting will focus on different regions exploring the grapes, styles, soils, viticulture, laws and even some regional cuisine.

Please join us this year for our Wine Regions of the World tastings. Each tasting will be featuring seven wines from specific regions paired with regional snacks and cheeses. The tasting will aim to give a wine spectrum of price ranges.

Dates: All tastings are $45/person, however if you book six different tastings in advance we are offering a $10 discount per tasting. Here is the first three tastings bookable online:

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Author: Dirk Chan

New Year’s Eve is rapidly approaching and time to consider what bubblie you’ll be drinking to bring in 2011. If you want the best, then go with a favourite French Champagne, but there are lots of cheaper and excellent alternatives in the form of sparkling wines from Australia, Argentina, Portugal, Canada, the United States and South Africa.There are some lovely French alternatives from the Jura, Loire Valley and Alsace at half to a quarter of the price of the more famous Champagnes. Add to the list the fast gaining Italian Prosecco and don’t forget the favourite standby – Spanish Cava. With prices from the low teens to over $500/bottle, the choices are endless.

Of course, the world’s most famous celebratory drink is French Champagne, la crème de la crème of sparklers, whether it be the Non-Vintage style or the ultra premium Vintage dated expensive tete de cuvees, usually made from blends of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. You can also find 100% Chardonnays (Blanc de Blancs), 100% Pinot Noirs (Blanc de Noirs), or the Demi-Sec (slightly sweet) ones too.

While the majority of Champagne sales happens during the end of the year, we at deVine feel anytime is a good time for bubbles so make a New Year’s resolution to taste all kind of sparkling wine throughout the year for any occasion. If ever you’re stuck with finding a wine to pair with food, consider bubbles – they are more versatile than most people think. Sushi, KFC, smoked salmon, oyster, caviar, Thai food, seafood come to mind. However, for New Year’s eve, bubbles are a must, and you’ll find all kinds of recommendations if you follow the ‘read full article’ link below…From us to you, a very Happy New Year!

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