Also known as: Galopine
Table of Contents
Primary Flavors
- Tangerine
- Peach
- Mango
- Honeysuckle
- Rose
Taste Profile
On the nose, Viognier is a very aromatic wine with rich aromas of tangerine, mango, honeysuckle, rose, and peach. Oaked versions will also have subtle vanilla and smoke aromas.
On the palate Viognier is quite viscous and full bodied. If you like full boded Chardonnay you’ll probably like Viognier. Despite smelling sweet Viognier is typically dry.
How to Serve Viognier Wine
Serve Viognier chilled in a white wine glass. It doesn’t need decanting to accentuate its aromatic qualities. A white wine glass will funnel those intense aromas directly to your nose.
This roasted Gunea fowl with lemon, fennel, herbs and potatoes would be a lovely
match with a vibrant neutral oaked Viognier. By Stijn Nieuwendijk
SERVE
45–55°F / 7-12°C
GLASS TYPE
White
DECANT
No
CELLAR
3-5 Years
Viognier Food Pairing
A wine best paired with delicate meats or scallops that are flavored with stewed fruit, almonds, citrus or aromatic
herbs (such as Thai Basil or Tarragon).
Try chicken tangine with apricots and almonds served over a saffron rice. The aromas in the dish should heighten the fruit flavors and creaminess in the wine.
A photograph of a Paso Robles Viognier wine from the 2013 vintage
5 Fun Facts About Viognier
- Viognier is originally from the Northern Rhône.
- France has the most amount of Viognier in the world.
- Viognier is often blended with Syrah to add complexity and stabilize Syrah’s color.
- Viognier can be crafted into a wide range of styles, from light to full-bodied.
- Viognier has a low yields and is challenging to cultivate. In fact, it almost went extinct in the 1980s.
The range of styles of Viognier.
Where it Grows
With almost 40,000 acres planted throughout the world, Viognier is a somewhat common
wine grape. You’ll find most Viognier grows in France, the USA, and Italy.
- France: 21,800 acres (8823 hectares)
- Italy: 4,500 acres (1827 hectares)
- USA: 3,600 acres (1481 hectares))
- Chile: 2,070 acres (839 hectares)
- South Africa: 2,030 acres (822 hectares)
- Argentina: 1910 acres (773 hectares)
- Australia: 1860 acres (753 hectares)
- Others: 1840 acres (745 hectares)
Total Vineyard Area – 39,692 acres (16,063 hectares) (data from 2016)
France
What to expect: Full-bodied, oily and viscous with ripe peach and floral notes and suble toast and vanilla aromas from oak.
Viognier in France is primarily found in the Northern Rhône and specifically in Condrieu, where wines from this appellation must be 100% Viognier. However elsewhere in the Northern Rhône Viognier can be blended, mainly with Syrah. In Côte-Rôtie, a red wine appellation, up to 20% of Viognier can be added as it helps stabilize Syrah’s color and adds a floral aroma.
There is one other appellation in the Northern Rhône that has 100% Viognier wines and that’s Château Grillet. This tiny single-producer appellation consists of just one producer, Neyret-Gachet, who releases just 10,000 bottles each year.
Map of the Northern Rhône showing appellations colored by what wines they produce. Yellow produce 100% white wines; Pink produce red and white wines, and deep red produce 100% red wines.
United States
What to expect: A range of dry styles from full-bodied and
oaked to leaner more mineral styles with high levels of acid.
In the United States there are a few areas that have started to specialize in Viognier. Virginia and Paso Robles both have excellent examples. Styles can follow the Condrieu style from France which will be oaked,
full-bodied and oily, or you can also find leaner styles that are unoaked and focus on the fruit and aromatic purity of the grape.
The vast majority of Viognier wines from the United States will be dry.
In-Depth Knowledge
Due to its unique characteristics, Viognier requires specific viticultural and winemaking techniques to maximize its potential.
For instance, the grape thrives in hot and dry climates and requires careful irrigation and pruning to manage its low yields.
Additionally, Viognier is susceptible to diseases, and growers need to implement appropriate vineyard management practices to prevent infection.
Winemaker’s Secrets to Viognier
Winemakers often use oak barrels for aging Viognier to enhance its complexity and add vanilla, caramel, and toasty flavors to the wine. The fermentation temperature of Viognier is a critical factor in winemaking. The ideal temperature range for fermentation is 18 to 22°C to preserve the grape’s fruity and floral flavors.
Additionally, extended skin contact and lees stirring during the winemaking process can add aromatics, complexity and richness to the wine.
Why is Viognier so aromatic?
Viognier is renowned for its unique aroma, which is a combination of floral and fruity notes. The primary chemical compounds responsible for these aromas are terpenes and esters.
Terpenes are found in the grape skins and contribute to the floral
aromas, include:
Esters which are formed during fermentation, are responsible for
the fruity aromas and include:
Other compounds, such as β-damascenone and 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, also contribute to the complex aromas of Viognier.
References
- Viognier on
Jancis Robinson.com - Effect of Vertical Shoot-Positioned, Smart-Dyson, and Geneva Double-Curtain Training Systems on Viognier Grape and Wine Composition.
American Journal of Enology and Viticulture