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Viognier (occasionally
"Vionnier") [vee-oh-NYAY]. An esteemed white-wine grape considered
very rare due to limited acreage worldwide. Furthermore, low yield and susceptibility to vineyard
disease make Viognier wines an unexpected find. This grape's distinguished reputation
is derived from the northern RHÔNE wines
of CHÂTEAU-GRILLET
and CONDRIEU.
Connoisseurs crave the intense, DRY
Viognier white
wines with vibrant floral qualities and an intriguing BOUQUET
reminiscent of apricots, peaches, and pears. Within the CÔTE RÔTIE
vineyards, a small amount of Viognier is interplanted with SYRAH, a red
grape. The Viognier grapes are harvested and vinified with the Syrah to produce the highly
valued Côte Rôtie red wines. In France it is unusual to sanction the
use of a white grape in such high-quality red wines. California plants a small but increasing amount of Viognier,
with JOSEPH
PHELPS VINEYARDS as an early innovator of this variety. Today,
winemakers have learned that the grape thrives in the soil and climate of the Eastern
United States. Some of the finest Viogniers are produced in Virginia and the
mid-Atlantic region. |