Where does it come from?
Northern Rhône | Languedoc-Roussillon | California | Chile | Australia & New Zealand | South Africa
What style of white wine is viognier?
‘Sensuous’, ‘hedonistic’, and ‘seductive’? the words used to describe this characterful grape can be quite racy, but viognier lovers adore the full-bodied, floral, and ripe-fruited characteristics that make these wines so distinctive. But viognier isn’t all style over substance: good examples will have real complexity underpinning the flamboyance. Expect perfumed notes of peaches, apricots and apple blossom.‘Sensuous’, ‘hedonistic’, and ‘seductive’? the words used to describe this characterful grape can be quite racy, but viognier lovers adore the full-bodied, floral, and ripe-fruited characteristics that make these wines so distinctive. But viognier isn’t all style over substance: good examples will have real complexity underpinning the flamboyance. Expect perfumed notes of peaches, apricots and apple blossom.
Because viognier needs lots of warmth to ripen and develop fully, striking the balance between its delicate, floral quality, rich texture and high alcohol levels present a challenge to winemakers. But, when they get it right, the results can be stunning.
Where should I start with Viognier?
Old world: Viognier comes from the northern Rhône and is where its most famous expressions are made. The grape flourishes on the steep slopes above the village of Condrieu.
Frequently in the Rhône (and further south), Viognier is blended with Marsanne and Roussanne to create a softer, lighter style; it is also occasionally co-fermented with Syrah in Côte-Rôtie to help stabilise the colour and add perfume to the red wine.
New World: A few decades ago Viognier barely existed outside the northern Rhône. But a surge of interest in the 1980s meant it quickly spread round the vineyards of the world.
South Australia makes perfumed viognier in the northern Rhône style. The best come from near the coast where oceanic influences allow enough coolness to provide finesse and elegance, whilst the heat ensures full ripening and flavour development.
You can also find lovely examples from the cooler northern enclaves of Napa and Sonoma in California. Wines here still demonstrate the heady, perfumed character of northern Rhône styles but take on more of a tropical dimension, reminiscent of lychees.
The focal point of Chilean Viognier is in the cool-climate region of Casablanca. Expect fresh, zippy qualities quite different from the more viscous wines of France and America.
New Zealand's North Island, specifically Hawke’s Bay, also provides such a combination of heat and sea breezes. The best maintaining lively acidity with wonderfully aromatic fruit flavours.
