Viognier: The Almost Forgotten White Wine

Viognier grapes almost disappeared just a few years ago. Viognier is a grape first grown in France. It was grown there for at least 2,000 years. But by the mid 1960s, there were only about 35 acres left in the whole country. The French government strictly regulates not only where every grape can be grown, but also how much. France has been gradually bringing the Viognier grapes back up, but even still they are falling way short of the allowances.

There are several reasons. First it is not easy to grow. It is susceptible to diseases such as powdery mildew. Second, it does not have a high yield per acre. Third it does not have a distinctive flavor and it can have a very high alcohol content, so high that many winemakers leave extra sugar in to counteract it. Viognier, however does have one appealing feature, and that is the aromas of overripe apricots mixed with orange blossoms , making it a perfect wine for blending by adding aroma, but not interfering with the flavor of the other wine.

California is now one of the largest Viognier producers and other places such as Australia, Brazil, Colorado, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, and Washington are also increasing plantings.

Viognier is added to Syrah, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Colombard. As a stand alone wine, Viognier is dry and similar to Chardonnay. Both have the flavor of tropical fruits. Viognier done right has a very fruity character and a full body, but the fact that there is such low production makes it on the expensive side. The heavy aromas, high alcohol and price turn a lot of customers off, which is why its future seems to be as part of a blended wine. However, the best wines come from vines that are at the least 20 years old. It will be sometime before most of the vines will be able to produce the best of the stand alone Viognier. But, there are those who like the toughness of Viognier. Viognier from different areas will have different characteristics that make them suitable for a stand alone wine.

One such area is the Temecula Valley where it will have the color of pale straw, the aroma of rosewater, white peach, green olive, honey, brown sugar, coriander, lavendar, summer rain petrichor, aromatic cedar and the flavors of ripe kiwi, starfruit, chipotle and oak. It will have a good acidic balance and be a bit sweet.

Viognier goes with spicy food, salsas, grilled fish, grilled chicken, pork, all types of cheeses, and sweet and salty appetizers.

Sources:

About Viognier

Viognier Facts

Temecula Valley Ibformation