Wine on the Radio - June 30, 2003

Viognier                                      Recommendations

So what's a Viognier?  

It sounds fancy, French and expensive doesn't it?

Well some are - because Viognier is the white wine of France's Northern Rhone called Condrieu.   And it's very classy and complex stuff.   The great news is that there has been an explosion of Viognier produced in the US .

This wine is like chardonnay with a cocky attitude.   You get some of that same dense, lush, thickness when you sip it and it pairs wonderfully with richer seafood.  

But the aroma is all its own . . . like a garden in bloom.   You might even think its a little sweet. but that's just the big blast of aroma and its naturally low acidity.

So sniff for smells like honeysuckle or summer blossoms and then sip into the honey like color and flavor.

Look for Viognier as an interesting change of pace from chardonnay . . . it's like a sip of summer.

Pop the cork™.            Listen to the show

Some Viognier Choices.All Prices Approximate

Arrowood 2000 Saralee's Vineyard Viognier $30
Sonoma Valley, California
On the nose, this Viognier from Saralee's Vineyard has a delicate perfume of honeysuckle, orange blossom, and even a hint of orange sherbet with vanilla ice cream

Callaway 2001 Viognier $16   
California
Our Viognier vines are planted in extremely well-drained soils, stressing the vines to produce concentrated varietal character

Joseph Phelps 2001 Vin Du Mistral Viognier $30
Napa Valley, California
The wine finishes with the typical soft balance, extra weight and added length that makes this variety so attractive

Guigal 2001 Condrieu $35
Rhône, France
"Pungent, pure aromas of pineapple, spring flowers and fresh herbs. Supple, sweet and silky in the mouth; rich but not at all heavy. Boasts good complexity."
- International Wine Cellar

Hogue 2001 Genesis Viognier $15
Yakima Valley, Washington
For the Hogue Genesis Viognier, the moment the grapes were crushed it was clear that the intensely aromatic fruit was going to make a memorable wine