Discover Blue Grouse Estate Winery's New Wine Releases
Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley has entered its Golden Era, as I’ve covered previously. Among the producers leading this wave of fresh, exciting wines with coastal flair is Blue Grouse Estate Winery. With a long history on the island and decades of championing stewardship excellence, Blue Grouse is always a producer to keep an eye on.
As we finally, ever so gingerly move into springtime in BC, I am featuring some seasonal wines to fit the blossoms and new growth around us. These Blue Grouse releases capture what BC coastal wines are all about.
Sparkling Cuvee 2020
From Lakeside and Petrolas Creek Vineyards in the Cowichan Valley, this traditional method sparkling wine is a blend of 73% Müller-Thurgau, 14% Pinot Noir, and 13% Chardonnay. Varietals are separately whole-cluster pressed and fermented, followed by blending and 4 years en tirage. Delicate aromas of leesy lemon, light breadiness, pear skin, apple, daisy, and Parmesan rind characterize this light and lean sparkling wine, just barely making it over 11% abv. The palate is dry, with a soft mousse and cool climate acidity, finishing long on concentrated citrus peel. A glimpse into the future of the Champenoise style from Vancouver Island, where there is tremendous potential.
2024 Rosé
Blending Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gamay, and Chardonnay, this is a very Côte de Provence style of rosé, bracing and crisp. All varieties were vinified separately in a combination of stainless, neutral oak, and concrete. Delicate tart strawberry, subtle cream, cranberry, and rosehip aromas are framed in a lighter body with plenty of poolside acidity. Great for fresh foods, especially goats cheese. Consider this wine a spritz of citrus with your meal.
Charme de L’Île Rosé (my pick)
A Charmat method, Vancouver Island blend of Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Pinot Gris. This pale pink sparkling rosé has lovely aromas of leesy red apple skin, white blossoms, pink grapefruit, tart strawberry, and nettle. Dry despite a bump in residual sugar for texture, there is plenty of refreshing acidity on the palate, and a mousse of medium sized bubbles. The yeasty notes and concentrated red berry and citrus flavours on the finish resemble Champagne more than Prosecco, giving more perceived value here. And while traditional method wines from the island continue to improve, this style is hard to beat.
Charme de L’Île
A non-vintage Charmat-method sparkling wine of Schönburger, Müller Thurgau, Bacchus, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. Grapes are destemmed to avoid unwanted phenolics from the Germanic varietals. Intensely tropical and explosively fruity, the personality is as bubbly as the wine. Star fruit, peaches, lychee, mango, and green plum are misted by stony sea spray. A fine mousse and juicy texture with bright acidity are capped by a fruity, dry finish. Light and effortlessly approachable, ready to be popped with chips and pico de gallo.
If you’re unacquainted with the wines coming out of the Cowichan Valley, now is the time - and these seasonal picks are the place to start.
Blog post written by: Matt Tinney, Contributor, uncorkBC