Le Grand Noir Chardonnay-Viognier on New Year's Eve, 2006

Happy New Year! My husband and I are sitting here waiting to ring in the new year with a bottle of 2004 Le Grand Noir (Black Sheep) Chardonnay-Viognier blend. We just enjoyed a nice salmon dinner and paired this wine with our fish, where it stood up remarkably well. I have to admit that I knew nothing about this wine when I chose it. It was the bottle that made me curious. I noticed it at our local Class VI store sitting in the French wines section in a squatty bottle. I held it next to another bottle I had picked up and noticed that Le Grand Noir's bottle was shorter and stouter than the more conventional bottles of wine being offered. I was definitely intrigued.

On that day, Le Grand Noir (Black Sheep) Chardonnay-Viognier blend was being sold for $7.95. The price was right, and I was hoping for a wine that was dry and crisp. I had read a wine article right here on Associated Content that mentioned that French wines tend to be drier than California wines. The promise of a dry, crisp wine, coupled with that interesting looking bottle, led me to try this bottle of wine.

Accolades

Le Grand Noir (Black Sheep) is indeed from France, but it's distributed by the Prestige Wine Group. According to the Prestige Wine Group's Web site, this 2004 Chardonny-Viognier blend scored an 85 by Wine Spectator and is noted by the publication as a "Best Buy". In 2006, it won a silver medal in the Sandestin Wine Festival. In 2005, it won a bronze medal in the International Eastern Wine Festival.

ThePour

The 2004 Le Grand Noir (Black Sheep) Chardonnay-Viognier pours out light gold and very pale green. It's crisp and clean with no bubbles forming at the top of the pour.

The Nose

When I take a whiff of the Le Grand Noir (Black Sheep) Chardonnay-Viognier, I detect the refreshing aroma of limes and, to a lesser extent, lemons. I also pick up the slightest hint of an alcohol smell.

The Taste

Le Grand Noir (Black Sheep) Chardonnay-Viognier blend is at first tart and dry. Then, it explodes with citrus, especially lime and mango. I detect butter in the aftertaste. Since this wine was aged in American and French oak, I also pick up some oaky notes. According to Prestige Wine Group's Web site, the Le Grand Noir blends are taken from vineyards in the Carcassonne and the Minervois areas of France. The Chardonnay-Viognier blend consists of 75% Chardonnay and 25% Viogner. It has an alcohol content of 13% by volume.

Foods That Go With It

As my husband and I found out tonoght, the 2004 Le Grand Noir (Black Sheep) Chardonnay-Viognier is an excellent match for fish dishes. Its distributor also recommends this wine for pairing with starters, white meats such as poultry or pork, or with ethnic dishes.

Where To Buy It

We found our bottle of Le Grand Noir (Black Sheep) Chardonnay-Viognier very reasonably priced at our local Class VI store, which is basically liquor store for military members. It can also be found in supermarkets or at your favorite wine outlet.

Overall Impressions

The 2004 Le Grand Noir (Black Sheep) Chardonnay-Viognier is a reasonably priced dry white wine that shines when paired with fish. I appreciate it for its delightful citrus flavor and brisk assertiveness. The bottle this wine comes in may be short and squatty, but the wine itself packs an elegant punch. I would be very pleased to buy this wine again whenever I need a super dry white wine to go with dinner.