Blue Grouse

Blue Grouse All WinesWe’ve been fans of Blue Grouse wines for years, and frequently cross the nearby border to buy bottles. However, in July, for the first time, we visited their classy estate winery. Blue Grouse is an acclaimed Cowichan Valley producer, with one of the oldest vineyards on Vancouver Island. Blue Grouse Estate Winery’s philosophy is “stewardship.” Their vineyards are all sustainably farmed. During our visit, our charming, knowledgeable host Vanessa Wheaton poured five wines for us – three whites, a sparkling rosé and one red. These are just a small sample of many standout Blue Grouse wines.

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Beautiful Beaujolais

Food-friendly Wines of BeaujolaisIf you are looking for a food-friendly, wallet-friendly wine, it’s time to try beautiful Beaujolais from one of the 12 appellations in eastern France. Specifically, Beaujolais is easy and elegant. It pairs with grilled meats, seafood, winter salads and more. Meanwhile, the best cheese pairing is Gruyere. We recently received samples of five bottles, and we really liked three of them. Read on for more about the wines and the region.

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Rosé Roundup 2020

Glasses of RoseSummer is around the corner and it’s time to rosé all day! Yes, it’s time to drink pink on the patio, oceanside or poolside. We sip it on our deck lakeside on warm evenings, and watch its pretty color match the gorgeous Washington sunset.

Pair food-friendly rosé with seafood, triple-cream cheeses, shellfish, smoked salmon, salads, pasta, grilled chicken, grilled lamb, Asian dishes or red-berry desserts. Or simply drink rosé without food, as a refreshing summer sipper.

Here are seven stellar rosés that we enjoyed — three from Washington state, two from France and one each from Oregon and California. Continue reading

Holiday Party – Wine and Food Extravaganza

Happy Holidays 2019Last night, our neighborhood wine club — the Birch Bay Wine and Food Society — held an amazing holiday dinner. More specifically, talented chefs and volunteers in the neighborhood prepared a wine and food extravaganza. Details of the menu are below. But first, we just have to share our new favorite rosé, which we tasted for the first time at the dinner.

It’s one of those times when you sip, and then shake your head, wondering why you have never tasted this wine before.

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