Welcome to Vine to Wine, I’m your host Linda Moran.  I seem to be on a roll lately indulging in the white wines of summer. Let’s talk about a great summer wine Viognier.  

Viognier is a wine that until the last few decades was well on its way to obscurity if not extinction. Apparently in 1965 there were only about 8 hectares planted in the northern Rhone region of Condrieu. The increase in planting began slowly but once it caugt the attention of wine makers in the united States and Australia the increase has been monumental. It is the demand that now drives the plantings and the prices. Viognier is sometimes deemed a trendy wine, but I think it is more serious than just a flash of popularity. It gives Chardonnay lovers an entirely new set a flavors and level of sophistication. There is a good deal of delicious Viognier available and in my home state of Washington. California is doing a nice job as well and from Australia, I highly recommend Yalumba Viognier. Viognier is a good wine for the summer and lends itself well to many of the fish and vegetables we like to cook on the grill. It is also a lovely wine to serve along with appetizers to begin a meal. If you ask for suggestions from your local wine merchant you just may be surprised. Remember to send your wine questions to linda at vine to wine dot net and thanks for joining me on today’s Vine to Wine.