My local winestore celebrates its 5th year!!!!

I was fortunate to taste some fine wines downtown yesterday. DeVines was celebrating fifth year of opening and many high-enders served. The `99 Mastroberardino Naturalis Historica at $60 was an eye-opener...plum, spice, tobacco, pepper.

I also tasted the `05 Alonso del Yerro, R del Duero, an amazing `02 Vin de Paille, Cotes du Jura from Berthet-Bondet, plus a lovely `01 Vinya Selva de Mar, Mas Estela. Over 60 wines were poured, $20 all-in. Amazing afternoon.

*****my only connection with the store is that I help out on the weekend in my own time. Payment is usually something Loire-ish!!

I hope that they are prospering. They seem very adventurous and carry a worldwide range which makes me envious though I think we do better here for France and Italy.

Thanks for the interest Tim. The main staff at DeVines all have the chance to select wine for the shelves, makes it more fun. Various palates make for some interesting selections.

Ah, I remember the days back when I worked at deVine! Seems like so long ago now, but it was really only a couple years.

I was a little disappointed that they charged a fee for this year's anniversary tasting, since in the past it has always been a free event. That fee is what kept me away this year - that, and knowing that they were only opening up the wines at random times throughout the day. It would have made more sense to have everything available on a first-come, first-serve basis, especially since they were charging money for it.

Anyways, still sounds like a good time.