For the last few decades, Viognier is spreading wildly from its natal Northern Rhone Valley to the warmer wine regions of the world.
Viognier is a white variety is hard to cultivate because it is not resistant to diseases. The grape produces low yields of thick-skinned berries. Viognier needs strong sunshine but not too hot temperatures to ripen. Therefore, the variety blossom under a warm sunny climate with an optimal soil of granit.
The harvest period has to happen during the optimal maturation of the grape otherwise the wine tend to be fade, without character and the distinctive apricot and honey flavors.
Viognier caracteristics
Winemakers have to balance the floral and fruity flavors of Viognier with its rich body and its high level of alcohol. The variety produces a full-bodied dry wine with aromas of apricot, peach and musk. Some can have floral fragrances of camomile, lavender and thyme, rarely of pine.
The aged and sweet wines have a beautiful balance of aromatic herbs and honeyed notes.
Where to find the best Viogniers
In France, Viognier is the best white grape of Northern Rhone Valley. In the AOC Condrieu, it produces light elegant well-balanced wines with strong flavors.
In Australia, the best Viognier wines come from Eden Valley and other cooler wine regions. These white wines have a powerful fragrance.
In New Zealand, Hawkes Bay makes light white wines, more acid and aromatic than the Australian ones.
Yalumba's The Virgilius Eden Valley Viognier and Clonakilla's Canberra District Viognier are some of the best Australian white wines.
In New Zealand, Trinity Hill's Grimblett Gravels Viognier is among the best white wines of Viognier from the country.
