Introduction
Viognier is a white grape that comes from Côtes du Rhône (France), and more specifically the northern Côtes du Rhône region. The viognier grape gives a white wine of exceptional quality, rich, creamy, very aromatic, with floral notes (violet) and fruit (mango, apricot) and well developed. In its heyday, it releases musk, gingerbread and snuff. Due to its susceptibility to oxidation, it is a wine to drink young.
Origins
A DNA analysis conducted in 2004 by researchers in California has demonstrated its alpine origins. It is also a cousin of the famous Italian red grape variety, Nebbiolo.
Viognier Grapes
Where is it grown?
This white grape that is nowadays so appreciated, could have disappeared not so long ago; now it is among the most respected varieties planted around the world. Phylloxera in the nineteenth century and the political context of early twentieth century had limited arable land to sizes below 10 hectares (about half the size of the vineyard through France) in 1965.
But the great qualities of this grape and the commitment of the appellation of origin (A.O.C) of the now famous Condrieu allowed Viognoer to reach his status of nobility in the past 20 years. In 2000 viognier represented about 2500 hectares throughout southern France.
The Viognier grape is also used in Italy, Spain, Greece, Switzerland and Austria. But it is outside of Europe that it has met with real success. This is one of the great American white grapevarieties, mainly in California, where it is vinified separately or along with Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Colombard.
It is also very popular in Australia, where it accounts for 70% of the area planted with white grapes and produces cheaper wines.
In Spain, according to the Ministerial Order 1819/2007, this French variety is licensed in the regions of Andalucia, Baleares, Castilla-La Mancha and Murcia to produce wine.
Aromas
Wines made from Viognier grapes are very fine, elegant, bold, creamy and very aromatic. Prepared in the traditional way (in the absence of air) they develop strong floral and fruity flavor notes (white flowers, exotic fruits, apricot, peach …). Vinified and raised in oak barrels they will be bolder and develop notes of nuts, bread, spices, snuff and musk.
Colors
In a varietal wine (where Viognier represents 100%) we can appreciate its peculiar color, an beautiful golden yellow, like dry straw.
Serving temperature
The ideal temperature for serving a Viognier white wine will be between 8ºc and 10ºc.