7 Stellar Viogniers to Drink Right Now
Most winemakers agree that Viognier is one of the most difficult grapes to grow. Many will tell you that it was nearly extinct in the early 1970s because it is highly susceptible to mold and mildew, especially in the wetter season. While it generally offers very low yields, when cultivated lovingly and made into quality wine it can be sublime and even ethereal. In the glass Viognier offers a floral-driven bouquet complimented by aromas of tropical fruits, pineapple, and mango and flavors of peach, apple, honeydew, honeysuckle, and apricot. Some of the best Viognier is grown in the vineyards of Condrieu in the Northern Rhône Valley. Roughly translated as “corner of the stream,” Condrieu grows best along a nine-mile stretch of the Rhône River. Condrieu and Château Grillet, an eight-acre single vineyard within Condrieu, are the world’s only appellations that require their wines to contain 100 percent Viognier. Most vineyards here grow on granite hillsides with soils composed of flint, chalk, and mica which impart bracing minerality to the wines. Elsewhere in the world, Viognier grows in Virginia and Napa Valley, Australia, South Africa, Greece, Israel, and India.
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