Grow Your Wine Collection This Spring

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your palette with white wines you haven’t tried before – and maybe even a few surprises. With so many award-winning wines in the Cowichan Valley, now is the perfect time to take yourself on a tour of this world-class terroir.

The Ultimate White

Pinot Gris is a dry white wine grape originating from the vineyards of Burgundy, France but a very popular and worthy varietal grows right here in Cowichan. Blue Grouse Estate Winery’s 2019 Pinot Gris is crafted from the oldest Pinot Gris vines in BC and this vintage boasts aromas of butterscotch and vanilla with a medium-long finish and fresh acidity.

Alderlea Vineyards’ 2021 Pino Gris is a treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Low yields and meticulous vineyard practices produce a Pinot Gris with a fuller body and longer finish than most. Alderlea’s signature skincontact winemaking style results in a dry, rose-coloured wine showing aromas of peach and apricot, with flavours of tangerine, orange and mango.

The sweetness level of Pinot Gris makes it a great pairing with spicy foods.

Vancouver Island’s Famous Grape

Celebrated as one of the signature grapes of Vancouver Island, Ortega is a cross of two German grapes, MüllerThurgau and Siegerrebe. With the oldest vines in Canada, Zanatta Winery’s awardwinning Ortega is dry with delicate floral and peach aromas. Ortega is known for its simplicity and easydrinkability and can be found at Blue Grouse and Enrico Winery as well. Ortega pairs beautifully with seafood which is perfect for the Cowichan region. Ortega’s soft floral, fruity character and slight sweetness play well with prawns, crab, and fish ‘n’ chips.

Perfect Picnic Wines

Deol Estate Winery prides itself on 100% estate grown grapes, and that includes their picnic perfect 2007/2008 Gamay Rosé. This blend of 85% Gamay Noir and 15% Pinot Noir gives a pleasing array of peaches, nectarine and raspberry and finishes with a hint of butterscotch.

And for a picture-perfect glass, Damali Lavender and Winery’s Muré Lavande is as beautiful to look at as it is to drink. Fill your glass with pure BC blackberries balanced with lavender and oaked to perfection. This unique, flavourful wine pairs well with creamy dishes, desserts and rich dark chocolate. Damali’s lavender fields are also the ultimate picnic location.

Take yourself on a wine tasting tour June 1-30 at eight local wineries, or join us at the Cowichan Wine Festival Launch Party August 4 with 12 wineries, food, and music – or attend both! Tickets go on sale May 1 at cowichanwineries.com.

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