Grape Varieties: Ortega

Ortega is a Müller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe cross. Grown first on the Mosel, it was planted first in England in the early 1970s. It ripens early and is known for its low acidity and high sugar levels. This makes it suitable for dessert wine production (Denbies are known for their use of Ortega in their sweet wines), although it is more widely used in dry still wines, both as a varietal and in blends.

Fruity and aromatic, it can also have a notable spicy quality. Biddenden in Kent were one of the first to plant this variety and Westwell, also in Kent, have made good use of it, occasionally employing wild yeasts and amphora for fermentation purposes.