10/18/06 Viognier

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and today we are going to explore a grape that has been receiving increased attention during the past few years. That is the grape Viognier. During the past few years there has been an increase in the planting of Viognier in California and Washington. I have seen this grape center stage as a wine all on its own or blended with Chardonnay, Pinot Gris or Gewurtraminer. This grape has become fashionable among winemakers and is quickly gaining popularity among consumers. It comes from the Northern Rhone of France but it is now being planted in many of the world's warmer climate wine regions. In the glass it has a distinct perfume and a fragrance that reminds us of dried stone fruit and in some cases a little bit musky. Viognier is a full-bodied wine, and obviously stands its own, when blended with other assertive grapes. It is not a wine that ages particularly well although, when blended with a wine that has a greater chance at longevity it may hang on a bit longer than it would on its own. I like Yalumba Viognier from Australia, Abeja Viognier from Washington and Thurston Wolfe from Prosser Washington blends Viognier with Pinot Gris creating a very nice white wine for seafood. The next time you are looking for something different why not seek out Viognier? Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.