Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island – what a discovery this region was for me. We stayed in the “Grouse House”, so we experienced the vineyards up close and personal. Being on-site matters.
I tasted this wine with Ken Collura, a Somm friend, formerly of Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa, FL, and most recently Andina Restaurant in Portland. He immediately called out Bosq pear, and reminisced about the Alpine grapes of his youth – Grüner Veltliner and Gewurztraminer.
Ken suggested pairing with Chinese Szechuan or spicy Thai, although we were at Mamma Khouri’s, a Lebanese-Syrian restaurant in Portland, having vegetable mezza that worked.
Ortega is a common grape on Vancouver Island, a cross between Müller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe—both of which are Vitis vinifera varieties. The Blue Grouse Ortega was very aromatic with a perfumey fruitiness, just off dry. It’s light-bodied in weight and alcohol at only 12%. Chill and drink now. Read winemaker Stacy’s Wine Characters interview here.