Gray Monk Siegerrebe and Rotberger

Sorry about the giant gap between posts! Changing careers doesn't leave much time for writing... Nonetheless, I wanted to tell y'all about the fourth winery I visited while touring the Okanagan this past summer: Gray Monk Estate.

I've always been fond of their wines, but I'd only sampled the ones available at BC Liquor Stores, until a few months ago when the caterers at a work function brought out this bottle. I will concede that I'd never heard of the Siegerrebe varietal before that fateful day, but from now on I'll try as many as I can (and if you're wondering, they tell me it's pronounced a bit like "Arriba").

If you enjoy Gewurztraminer—you may have noticed by now that I'm a fan —then Siegerrebe is a nice move outside of your comfort zone. It's a medium-bodied white with subtle, citrusy hints (think grapefruit and tangerine) and makes a great aperitif.

I can tell you it runs around $18 at the winery, but I don't know if there's a local private liquor store that carries Gray Monk Siegerrebe. But it must be available somewhere in town if Quince was able to secure a case or two for my company event.

There was another bottle I picked up while visiting Gray Monk: their Rotberger rosé. Another fun name, and a delightfully sturdy rose to boot! It's got a little bit of spice, but still presents some tasty berry notes—raspberry, cranberry, current, and a hint of cherry.

For me, a rosé should be like a summer red—light and refreshing, but without a lot of syrupy sweetness. This one will set you back about $16 at the winery, and again, I'm not sure if anybody in town stocks it, but I'll be sure to update this post if I come across it in my travels.