When it's good, Viognier is a peach-scented, round, rich white with a succulent edge and a nuttiness that gets more pronounced with age. This is an ancient variety believed to have originated in Dalmatia (present-day Croatia). It was brought to the Rhône Valley, its spiritual home, by the Romans. By the late 1960s it was very rare, almost extinct. In the Rhône it was mostly found on the granite slopes at Château Grillet but since then it has undergone a renaissance and is now planted in many wine-producing countries around the world.
TYPICAL FLAVOURS
Peach • Apricot • Blossom • Aromatic
FOOD PAIRING
Pan-fried white fish • Porchetta • North African spices
HOW TO SAY?
Vee-on-yay
VIOGNIER AROUND THE WORLD
Best grown in a moderate climate to ensure the acidity is prominent enough and alcohol is kept in check. This medium to full-bodied white variety takes well to oak use, which adds vanilla flavours and can develop honey notes with age.
Condrieu, in the Northern Rhône is Viognier's home where it is the sole grape variety permitted. It is used in the production of many Côte-Rôtie red wines, with up to 20% Viognier permitted to 'lift' the Syrah. Also found in California, Italy, Australia and across the South of France.
Taste the Grape Viognier Half Dozen
There are many factors that contribute to the flavour of a wine, including the winemaking process, but the single most important is the grape variety. Our Taste the Grape Half Dozen offers the opportunity to sample six different styles from across the world, all made from the same grape variety, providing insight into its unique character and versatility.
£176.30 £160
per half dozen
