Spring Break whispers to me that warmer, sunnier days are just around the corner. Even if we have been slammed with rain, hail and the occasional snow flurry in North Vancouver – I know sunshine is on the horizon.
Therefore, I present to you a crisp white wine from Vancouver Island that will definitely reign supreme at your upcoming patio parties. Blue Grouse Estate Wineries ‘Quill’ White Blend hits all the right notes for a great patio sipper.
Blue Grouse Estate Winery is located on Vancouver Island in Duncan, B.C in the heart of the Cowichan Valley. I have had the pleasure of meeting the talented and personable winemaker, Bailey Williamson, at Top Drop Vancouver. This is a winery and winemaker to watch – I will be visiting Blue Grouse Estate Winery in April for an article I am doing on the Vancouver Island wine scene – very excited.
Quill White Blend 2014 is an interesting variety of white grapes that really work. The wine is Pinot Blanc and Pinot Auxerrois heavy, comprising 88% of the blend. The addition of Pinot Gris, Müller-Thurgau, Siegerrebe, Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc make up the rest. As I said, an interesting and quite exciting blend of well-known and not so well-known grapes.
On the nose, there are some nice tree fruit notes of Red Delicious apple, Bartlett pear and ripe peach alongside bright tropical notes of honeydew melon and kiwi. On the palate, this is a crisp, dry and refreshing wine. The flavour profile mirrors the aromas but with even more of the tropical notes and a gentle floral whiff. It finishes with a zippy lemon zest note. Fun.
Quill White Blend is a great lunchtime or afternoon wine with only 12.3% abv. Nicely available on Vancouver Island for my Island peeps, you can also find Blue Grouse wines at Marquis Wine Cellars on Davie Street in Vancouver and the Village Liquor Store in West Vancouver. I have attached their ‘where to buy’ link here – always a good idea to call ahead. You can also purchase their wines online – Quill White Blend is $17 and a great value.
I wish you a lovely Wednesday!
XO
C
Girls Go Grape 
Sounds like a perfect spring blend!
I know this winery and its wines well, and agree that this is aromatic and a great value. as I like to say: “Take out and Quill”
Love it!
A wine from my neck of the woods!
Not quite on the patio yet, but white wine whatever the weather.
http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/2016/03/wine-muse-muscadet/
Well done!
This wine sounds very interesting indeed, thank you for the introduction xo
Happy spring equinox to you.
The quill white is a very tasty blend,Bailey does a great job.I can’t say good enough things about how far the cowican valley wines have come.Did a post easter tour and recommend Blue grouse,Unsworth for an awsome lunch and try their sparkling white!
Hit Merridale cidery and check out a few others nearby.
Mark and Truffle the wine dog
Perfect!