Viognier (France)

Viognier is a white aromatic grape variety from the Northern Rhône Valley.

Typical Flavors


Cool Climate

Mango
Mango		 Apricot
Apricot		 Peach
Peach		 Pear
Pear

Violets
Violets		 Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle		 Gingerbread
Gingerbread		 Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts

Warm Climate

Orange
Orange		 Melon
Melon		 Fig
Fig		 Anise
Anise

Yellow fruits such Mango, Apricot, Pear and Peach are typical Viognier flavors.

Perfume notes of Spring Flowers, Musk, Spices and Nuts.

Profile

Viognier is aromatic, fat, fruity, and floral:

SUGARDry
BODYMedium to Full
FRUITMedium Plus
ACIDITYMedium - Low
Serving temperature:
10-12°C (50-54°F)

Food Pairing


Rich Seafood
Seafood		 Lobster
Lobster		 Quiche
Quiche		 Fish Soup
Creamy
Fish Soup

Risotto
Creamy Risotto		 Smocked Salmon
Smocked Salmon		 Chili
Asian Curries		 Pesto
Pesto
Chicken
Chicken		 Pork
Pork		 Veal
Veal		 Cheese
Cheese

Viognier loves creamy dishes.

The aromatic and fruity nature pairs well with spicy Asian Curries.

Pairing Suggestions

Excellent Pairing:
Creamy Seafood. Lobster. Crab. Fish.
Creamy Chicken or Turkey. Coronation Chicken.
Creamy Curries. Kormas.
Creamy Tai Cuisine. Pad Thai.
Tagines with Apricot. Ginger. Saffron. Coconut.
Sweet Potatoes. Butternut Squash. Sweet Root Vegetables.

Cheese:
Mild Cheddar. Chaumes. Double Glouchester
Gouda. Manchego. Monterey Jack.
Brie. Camambert.

Local Specialities:
Rigotte de Condrieu (Goat Cheese).
Picodon de la Drôme (Goat Cheese).

About Viognier

According to a legend, the Roman Emperor Probus introduced Viognier to France after he had brought it over from the Dalmatian coast of Croatia.

DNA research from UC Davis shows that the grape is of Alpine origines, closely related to the Fresia variety from Piedmont.

Viognier grape variety loves gneiss terroirs and the steep granitic slopes contained by terraces and walls.

On the brink of extintion in the 1960s: there were only 14 hectares in the world, all of them in France.

Today is Viognier planted all over the world.

Depending on vinification, Viognier can be flexible: dry, off dry, sweet. Oaked or unoaked.

If labeled "vendange tardive" (late harvest) it is sweet.

Cool Climate vs Warm Climate

Cool Climate Viognier is to find in Condrieu (Northern Rhône) and Virginia (East Coast US). The body and acidity is medium.

Warm Climate Viognier is to find in California and Chile. Full body, lower acidity, dry but fruity.