On September 14, we resume our eagerly anticipated Wine, Food and Conversation tastings. Each one features a meticulous wine selection paired with great local food. Tasters are guided through each pairing either by a special guest from the food industry or by our knowledgable staff. Each event promises to be as enjoyable as it is elegant. As a way of saying thank you, tickets are nominally priced. All tastings begin at 7 PM. Find more detailed information below.

Tuesday, September 14: Last of the Summer Wines ($15 Pre-Paid)

Here at the store we’re already busy selecting some of our favourite warm weather wines, while the folks at Careit Urban Deli are readying a menu of delicious appetizers. COBs Bread will provide fresh baguettes. A member of our staff will host a small group as they savour the results.

Further Tastings:

Monday, October 4: Holiday Pairings with Special Guest Ramon of Red Ox Inn ($15 Pre-Paid)

Tuesday, November 9: Holiday Sips ($25 Pre-Paid, Spirits included)

Please join us for a tasting of some premium wines from Starlane Vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley and Dierberg Vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley. David Bantley, National Sales Manager for the wineries, will welcome us with the ‘Three Saints’ pinot noir rose. We’ll progress through the ‘Three Saints’ Rose, ‘Three Saints’ chardonnay, Dierberg pinot noir, ‘Three Saints’ cabernet sauvignon, Star Lane cabernet sauvignon, and the ‘Three Saints’ Syrah. Light appetizers will be served.

Tickets are $35/per person, and the event runs on June 21st, 2010, from 7-9pm. Seats are very limited, so please call in (780-488-7800) or drop by to purchase a ticket.

Mark your calendars for June 15th, 2010: Sandra Oldfield from Tinhorn Creek Winery in the Okanagan Valley will be joining us to talk about her adventures in wine making. Small Appetizers Pairings will be served, as well. Tickets are $30, and reservations are required. There is limited seating, so please call and reserve a space – (780) 488-7800, or send us a message through the contact page.

(The last of our Wine , Food, & Conversation evenings until September, 2010)

Pairing wine with Indian Food. A lot of people think ‘beer’ when considering pairings for Indian cuisine, but Satesh Narine (owner, Crestwood Fine Wines & Spirits) has some innovative wine choices to consider. Origin India, the Whyte Avenue hotspot, will be providing some delicious food samples. The event will run from 7pm to 8pm at Crestwood Fine Wines & Spirits. Please call us for reservations at (780) 488-7800.

Update: This event is currently sold out. However, we are currently taking names for our waiting list. Given enough interest, we are prepared to do another event on June 22nd.

We like this merlot so much, we bought it all! Here is proof that Argentina is able to produce stunning reds to rival their signature grape, malbec. Deep crimson colour carries enticing aromas of plum and cherry to introduce this full bodied merlot. Pure focussed flavours of black cherry, mocha and cedar on the palate. Supple tannins add weight and texture. A long finish, with accents of earth and spice.

Only 8 cases (12 bottles/case) available at $26.95/bottle. 10% discount on full cases of this wine.

Prices include deposit, and GST, but are subject to change.

Our lovely Juanita Roos has passed her WSET level 3 with flying colours! Way to go Juanita! You are now a WSET Certified Wine Professional (WSET does not use the term sommelier). WSET is a London based program of wine education with a globally recognized status.

Mark your calenders, April 13th, 2010: we are proud to have Joe Dobbes of Dobbes Family Estate in to chat about his wonderful winery. On the evening, we will be tasting the Wine by Joe Pinot Blanc, Family Estate Pinot Gris, Wine by Joe Rose, Grand Assemblage Pinot Noir, Grand Assemblage Syrah, and the Late Harvest ’06 Viognier. Small Appetizers Pairings will be served, as well. Tickets are $35, and reservations are required to attend. There is limited seating, so please call and reserve a space – (780) 488-7800.

“Dobbes Family Estate is the realization of my dream of a family wine business and the embodiment of a lifetime of winemaking. We promise wines of distinction that represent a true expression of the finest varietals in Oregon by marrying Nature, Nurture and Artistry to craft wines that exhibit unparalleled quality and sophistication.” — Joe Dobbes, Proprietor & Winemaker

We have three upcoming events to tell you about:

April 6th, 2010: Tarquin Melnyk from the Manor Cafewill be talking about Canadian Microbreweries.

May 11th, 2010 : Robert Dziurman, certified Sommelier, of Creations will be talking to us about appreciating both Old World and New World wines.

June 8th, 2010 : Pairing wine with Indian Food. A lot of people think ‘beer’ when considering pairings for Indian cuisine, but Satesh Narine (owner, Crestwood Fine Wines) has some innovative wine choices to consider. Origin India, the Whyte Avenue hotspot, will be providing some delicious food samples.

All events will run from 7pm to 8pm at Crestwood Fine Wines & Spirits. Please call us for reservations at (780) 488-7800.

Here are some lovely wines for you to consider for your Easter weekend:

White Wines:

Warwick ‘Professor Black’ Sauvignon Blanc 2008: This lively Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa shows an abundance of tropical fruit, pear, grapefruit and green fig flavours on the nose that carry through to the palate. The mouth feel is crisp, yet rich and fruity, and coats the palate evenly. The well-balanced acid and lingering aftertaste will make you come back for more. Stellenbosch, South Africa. $25.95

Rabl Grüner-Veltliner Spiegel 2008: This is one of our absolutely favorite whites, from Austria. It has a delicate grassy pepper spice with mineral undertones, lemon, lime, apple; crystal clear structure, elegant, with incredible length. Kamptal, Austria. $21.95

Red Wines:

Dirty Laundry Bordello 2007: This saucy sounding red hails from the Okanagan Valley. It’s a velvety smooth combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, & Cabernet Franc. Canada. $54.95

Efeste ‘Final-Final’ Cabernet/Syrah 2006 : Here’s what the winemaker had to say about this great bottle: “Final-Final is the last wine we blend, hence the name. Aromas scream out of the glass; black plumb, cherries, and a wonderful touch of wet soil. Spice aromas of clove and possibly star anise make the wine easily approachable. The wine is smooth but the acid is extraordinary and focused.” It’s aged in 58% new French oak, and is both unfiltered and unfined. Columbia Valley, Washington. $35.95

Kudos IGT 2004 – WS 90 points : “Ripe plums, with hints of violets, coffe and vanilla. Full-bodied, well-integrated tannins, chocolate and berry flavours and a long, tight finish.” Italy. $27.50

Prices include deposit, and GST, but are subject to change.

Just in to Crestwood, we have a beautiful selection of wines from the Loire Valley that are drinking very well right now:

White Wines:

Château Princé Anjou Blanc 2006 – $24.95

A pale gold color greets you from the glass. A superb mouth feel with good acidity. Pairs brilliantly with wine, fish, shellfish, white meats, goat cheese.

Laurent Perraud Muscadet Sur Lie 2007 – $24.95

Made from Melon de Bourgogne grapes. This wine is straw yellow in color, bright with aromas of hawthorn & lemon. Fresh, balanced acidity makes this a wonderful pairing with fish, shellfish, or as an aperitif.

Red Wines:

Domaine Prieuré La Chaume “Orfeo” 2005- $42.95

Predominantly Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon , with a touch of Négrette. Decanted and served between 17 ° C and 19 ° C, it goes beautifully with red meats, duck and other game birds.

Domaine Prieuré La Chaume “Bel Canto” 2006 – $30.95

The palate is soft, velvety, and long. Serving at 15-16 degrees . Great with game, roast poultry, and soft cheeses. “A wine of astonishing depth… beautiful roundness…” (Vino Magazine)

Domaine Prieuré La Chaume “Bella Domini” 2007- $46.95

Pure Merlot with its structure & silky tannins. It expresses great finesse with toasted notes & blackberries. Barrel aging 12 months. Decant & serve with meat, game, or chocolate.

Château Princé Anjou-Villages-Brissac 2005- $27.95

90 points in Wine Spectator: “Really ripe and packed with muscular dark current, macerated fig, charcoal, black licorice and sweet tapenade notes.”

All prices are in Canadian Dollars, and include GST & deposit.