Ortega

Ortega is a white grape created in 1948 by grape breeder Hans Breider in Wurtzburg, Germany by crossing Muller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe.  It is therefore, a vitis vinifera species rather than a French American hybrid.  The variety was named after the Spanish philosopher, José Ortega y Gasset.  Ortega is well suited to cool climates and is grown throughout Canada.  The wines are aromatic, with lots of stone fruit, peach / apricot and floral notes and naturally high sugar levels. The acidity is relatively low, therefore in a very cool climate, where many wines tend to be high in acid, Ortega can come across as being luscious.