deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Chateau de Beaucastel has been around for a long time, since 1549 to be exact. Their wines have drawn admiration going back to the days of Louis XIV. Owned by the Perrin Family since 1909, it is one of the largest estates in the famed Chateauneuf-du-Pape (CdP) region in the Southern Rhone. The Perrin Family acquired the estate just after the devastating phylloxera attack when all 13 allowed grapes were then replanted. They believe in organic farming and has been practicing that since the mid 1960’s and became organically certified in 1994.

The stony, porous soil of the land results in good air circulation as well as poor water retention forcing the vines to dig deep for its nutrition. The surface composed of the famous galets (fist sized rounded stones) that absorb heat during the day and lets it out at night. Combined with low yields, old vines, hand-harvested, destemmed and no filtration, it all adds up to a wine true to the famous rocky terroir and one of the most sought-after in all of France.

While most CdP producers have a high percentage of Grenache, Beaucastel is unique in the sense that they have the highest percentage of Mourvedre in their wines, usually equal parts of Grenache and Mourvedre (30% each). Always displaying fresh ripe fruit, complexity, structure and power, it has a distinctly earthy nose, full of expression and uniqueness. Ageworthy and highly collectible.

Please join fifth generation owner Thomas Perrin for a Top Drops: Chateau de Beaucastel evening of high-end wines on Wednesday, October 6 at 7pm at deVines.

View the lineup and sign up for this event here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

The Maison Louis Jadot has more than 150 hectares of vineyards in the fabled Burgundy region of France, covering all the major appellations. It is reported that in the US, one out of four bottles out of the Burgundy region wears the Jadot label. There are over 150 different wines produced.

‘Big is beautiful’, says Nicolas Dewe, the Export Manager for the 150 year old winery. It is an amazing feat first to produce this many wines, but the consistency of the Jadot portfolio given its enormous production and holdings, is just incredible and justly admirable. Their top tier wines are serious wines that consistently showing off the terroirs of each specific region. In great years, the Premier Cru and Grand Cru’s are highly sought after.

deVine’s first Top Drops of the fall season will feature Nicolas Dewe, who travels the world promoting Maison Louis Jadot. Our special evening will focus on Red Burgundies, home of some of the best Pinot Noirs grown in the entire world. We will sample a wide range of wines from different appellations, tasting only Premier Cru and Grand Cru’s from both the Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits regions, focusing on the two most recent great vintages of 2005 and 2002.

View the lineup and sign up for this event here..

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Author: Dirk Chan

The deadline for deVine’s 2009 Bordeaux Futures program is fast approaching. Purchasing ends this Sunday, July 18 at 6pm. Please have your selections and 75% downpayment in to us by then. The remaining 25% will be due on arrival of the wines in mid to late 2012. This campaign has been a most interesting one with buying occuring at every price point. Some of the wines have sold out and it did not make sense to go back for second and third tranche prices, which are extremely expensive.

While there are bargains at the Petit Chateaux and Cru Bourgeois levels and worth buying by the case, it is a different story for the highest scoring (95+ points) wines which are the most expensive ever, even with the strong Canadian dollar versus the up and down Euro. Wines are actually 25-40% higher than the great 2005’s. With careful chosing, some Grand Cru Classe wines were released at reasonable prices and we bought these and sold them just as quickly. I have designated a countdown system for selections which are down to their last twelve bottles, so if you are interested in those wines, please purchase immediately to avoid disappointment.

My advice is to buy all you could afford. With judicious selection, we have picked out what we consider as the pick of the litter for various price points. Despite my gripe regarding the superstars, 2009 is a great vintage in Bordeaux, and given its proven track record for aging, it is the foundation of most serious wine cellars – you will be glad you have them in ten years time. If you have any questions, or wish to speak to us about a particular chateaux, then please drop in to the store or make an appointment or an email, and we will gladly help you out in your decision making.

Check out our 2009 Bordeaux offer here.

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Author: Dirk Chan

deVine’s 2009 Bordeaux Futures program is now complete. With over 60 wines offered, it is our biggest selection ever. Wines from $25 up to $650 offer something for every budget. While there are bargains at the Petit Chateaux and Cru Bourgeois levels and worth buying by the case, it is a different story for the highest scoring (95+ points) wines which are the most expensive ever, even with the strong Canadian dollar versus the up and down Euro. Wines are actually 25-40% higher than the great 2005’s. With careful chosing, some Grand Cru Classe wines were released at reasonable prices and we bought these and sold them just as quickly.

I have designated a countdown system for selections which are down to their last twelve bottles, so if you are interested in those wines, please purchase immediately to avoid disappointment. We will not be going back anymore to purchase the same offerings in 2nd and 3rd tranche higher prices. Due to the length of the En Primeur program, we have extended our buying deadline to Sunday, July 18 at 6pm. As usual, we require 75% of the total by that date with the remaining 25% due in mid to late 2012 when the wines arrive.

It is very clear where Bordeaux is heading with the pricing of this campaign. In great vintages, Classified Growths and highly rated Right Banks are now viable to only the rich with deep pockets – it is a commodity market of supply and demand. The Bordelais are going to charge crazy prices for these great vintages, and the wine world can take it or leave it. Consider that the First Growth Chateau Lafite sold for $1200/bottle Cdn retail on the first tranche, then went to $2000 Cdn, and now the third tranche is $2600/bottle and amazingly the world is still buying. We can bulk (and we did) at these prices, but the next great vintage of Lafite will be even more than that (and we have witness first hand this price progression with the 2000, 2003, 2005 and now 2009’s). All this makes Napa Valley wines seem like a bargain – c’est la vie.

Check out our 2009 Bordeaux offer here.

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Author: Dirk Chan

The 2009 Bordeaux Futures campaign is in full bloom at the moment, it has been a booming success with wines being purchased by consumers at all price points. It is our most successful campaign ever. While there are bargains at the Petit Chateaux and Cru Bourgeois levels, it is a different story for the highest scoring (95+ points) wines which are the most expensive ever, even with the strong Canadian dollar versus the up and down Euro. Wines are actually 10-25% higher than the great 2005’s. With careful chosing, some Grand Cru Classe wines were released at reasonable prices and we bought these and sold them just as quickly.

With many years of buying Bordeaux futures, I can offer this advice: the great vintages such as 2000, 2005 and 2009 will never lose their value and if anything will appreciate dramatically, especially for the rare and collectible wines. If the prices seem high for the top end now, they will be even higher when the next ‘vintage of the century’ shows up. Thus, if you want the best, then bite the bullet and buy it now and in ten years time, you will be glad you have them in your cellar as you reminisce the good old days and ponder in bewildment that you no longer can afford the same wines you purchased for the 09’s. My, how the First Growths, the so-called Super-Seconds and even some of the Third Growths have truly become a commodity reserved only for the rich and famous.

For those of you who are price conscious and after quality for price, there are numerous wines in the $50-90 range that will reward your patience and selectivity, they will be great wines in 10-15 years and your only regret will be that you didn’t buy them by the case. Just ask yourself how many times after consuming a great bottle that you wish you would have bought more.

Check out our 2009 Bordeaux offer here.

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Author: Dirk Chan

The 2nd Annual Al Fresco Block party last saturday was a huge success, with record numbers of attendees for all events. We thank participants, attendees, organizers and volunteers alike, all helping to raise money for E4C’s Kid’s Lunch Program. Final tallies will be forthcoming after the Al Fresco Auction ends this coming Saturday, June 19 at 7pm. There are over 50 items in our on-line auction that you can still bid on. You can come into deVine’s to view all the items and bid in house as well.

How about tickets to the Boz Scaggs concert next tuesday, a police ride along, a weekend at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, tickets to the ESO, Citadel or the Cirque du Soleil, the 2007 Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year, A Dinosaur Dig & Tour, dinner at some of Edmonton’s best restaurants, jewelry, collectible wines, relaxation packages and some wonderful art pieces you have to see to believe.

Please visit the online auction here...

A reminder if you’re not around on saturday, you can still submit an absentee bid beforehand via email – we will bid on your behalf in $10 increments up to your maximum.

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Author: Nick Tooke

It’s “Al Fresco” time again, everyone, only bigger and better this year. The “if you build it they will come” epithet could not have found more eloquent proof last year than our hare-brained scheme to bring Edmontonians downtown for one almighty block party offering food, fine wine, fashion, film, and all things urban, all for a worthy cause. This year’s charity is E4C’s Edmonton School Lunch Program, an organization dedicated to supplying nutritious food to needy children all over the city, and with some of the cutbacks this year, they need your help more than ever. So please join us again this Saturday June 12th. Here is a taste of what’s in store:

Two sound stages this year – one live, one DJ’d by Junior Brown. A half-pipe set up for skateboarding, a repeat of the wildly successful Portuguese BBQ, a crostini bar by Red Star’s Daniel Costa, licensed patios by Tzin, Lit and Blue Plate Diner. deVine’s wine-tasting – only it’s al fresco this year, as it should be – beneath two giant tents, and, of course, another movie to cap it all off, free of charge. This year’s movie is “Chocolat” with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp, and it will show in a perfect auditorium under the stars – Melcor’s parking Lot between 29 Armstrong and the Saddlery building, with free pop and popcorn by Sobeys and way too much Kerstin’s chocolate to nibble on while you watch.

The auction webpage is up and running now, please bookmark and visit the page
here. More items are added daily leading up to the big event so come back often.

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Author: Ed Fong

Every year, readers of Vue and See Magazines vote to choose their top picks in a wide range of fan favorite categories. The results are now in, and once again, readers have made us winners!

For the third year in a row, Vue readers selected deVine Wines & Spirits as their pick for Best Wine Store! Thanks to all who voted to give us a hat trick in the Golden Forks Award! Your vote of confidence is greatly appreciated.

deVine Wines would like to congratulate our following partners for winning their Golden Forks Award in the Independent Business Category:

Hardware Grill – Located at 9698 Jasper Avenue. Please visit them online at www.hardwaregrill.com.

Best Appetizers, Best Fine Dining Restaurant, Best Pre-theatre Dining, Best Wine List, Best Service

Congratulations Larry and Melinda for a job well done! You cleaned up!

Blue Plate Diner – Located at 10145-104th Street. Visit them online at www.blueplatediner.ca.

Best Atmosphere, Best Mid-priced Restaurant, Most Kid Friendly Restaurant

Congratulations John & Rima for becoming a 104th-Street institution!

Tzin Wine & Tapas – Located at 10115-104th Street. Visit them online at www.tzin.ca.

Best Tapas Restaurant

Congratulations Kelsey! Truly Edmonton’s sexiest wine bar and our next door neighbor.

We all hope to see you downtown for some great fun, food and wine!

For the third year in a row, readers of See Magazine chose deVine Wines as their pick for Best Wine Shop! Thank you for keeping the streak alive!

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Author: Ed Fong

The long awaited opening of our beloved Farmers’ Market is fast approaching. This year’s market will be bigger and more actioned packed than ever. So come on down and welcome the returning vendors and introduce yourself to the new faces joining the City Market for the first time. Shoppers looking for local meats, seasonal produce, delicious baked goods and unique craft items will not be disappointed. Kickoff is at 9:00 AM sharp, rain or shine. For more information, visit the City Market website at www.city-market.ca

May 15 Opening Day festivities begin at 11:00 AM when the City Market acknowledges its supporters and welcomes Mayor Mandel who will bring greetings from the City of Edmonton. Everyone is invited to join our mayor and VIPs who will ring their market bells to announce the opening of the 2010 market season. This event will take place at the 102nd Avenue intersection.

This year, the City Market will introduce a series of monthly cultural festivals. On May 15, the City Market will launch the first of its five festivals by celebrating Chinese culture. The Chinese Cultural Festival will feature a Lion and Dragon Dance, Chinese cuisine and other activities celebrating Chinese culture. All activities will be centered on the 102nd Avenue intersection throughout the day and will begin right after the bell ringing at 11:05 AM.

In keeping with the spirit of the celebration, deVine Wines will be offering free samples of Chinese wine and beer in the store between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Yes, you heard correctly! Chinese wine! This will be a first for many, so don’t pass on this exciting opportunity. We will be sampling the Changyu Cabernet Geruischt Red (the only place in the world where this old Bordeaux grape is still surviving) and Changyu Noble Dragon White. Three beers will be available for sampling as well: Pearl River Zhu Jiang Beer, Tsingtao Beer and Yanjing Beer. Perhaps you will experience your epiphany for an ultimate wine pairing with sticky rice.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Famed American wine critic Robert Parker calls the 2007 California vintage for Bordeaux varietals as the greatest since 2001 and 2002. Not as tannic as those vintages, the 2007’s have “intense fruit, charm and seductiveness with freshness, delineation and laser-like focus”. To support his claim, he promptly doled out twelve 100 point wines.

Paul Hobbs is one of the wine world’s top consultants whose own California projects are augmented by his superb work in Argentina (El Felino wines). deVine is offering a pre-sell only of the 2007 Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – $209.99. Please submit your order ONLINE here before Tuesday, May 11 at noon. This special order is a one time offer and there will be no second chances to purchase more.

There are only 586 cases of this high scoring red (Wine Spectator 97, Robert Parker 96 points respectively).

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