{"id":839,"date":"2016-06-14T12:37:47","date_gmt":"2016-06-14T19:37:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.breakaway-tours.com\/blog\/?p=839"},"modified":"2016-06-15T14:50:47","modified_gmt":"2016-06-15T21:50:47","slug":"839-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.breakaway-tours.com\/blog\/839-2\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s Viognier or the Highway for Summer Whites!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Viognier: A White Wine for Red Wine Drinkers?<\/strong><\/p>\n

As a self -professed lover of red wine, you may ask: is there a white wine you would recommend for red wine lovers? Something with body and bollocks, that I can enjoy as the days heat up and I need something cool in my glass?<\/p>\n

\"Viognier<\/a><\/p>\n

The answer is YES. The answer is Viognier.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 1965 only a miserable\u00a020 acres\u00a0of Viognier (pronounced Vee-on-yay) grape existed in its Northern Rh\u00f4ne homeland appellation of Condrieu.<\/p>\n

Amazing, since\u00a0it is believed the grape had grown here for at least 2000 years, possibly transported to the Rh\u00f4ne from its birthplace in Dalmatia by the Romans.<\/p>\n

Since 1965 the grape and its wine has steadily increased in popularity and in its quality,\u00a0elevating it\u00a0to ‘serious drinker’ level.<\/p>\n

Condrieu is at the northern end of the Northern Rh\u00f4ne. It consists of seven communes located on steep terraced hills, where Viognier is the only variety of grape allowed in this appellation devoted solely to white wine. Any bottle originating from Condrieu is\u00a0100% Viognier.\u00a0It is said\u00a0that low yields, difficult growing conditions and late harvesting contribute to the exceptional, concentrated flavors of Condrieu Viognier.<\/p>\n

During the 1990s winegrowers from other parts of the Rh\u00f4ne and further afield in France saw the mounting interest in Viognier. Initially the grape was grown to blend with other whites – and reds, bringing extra character to well know varieties, and softening the Syrah wines of the C\u00f4te R\u00f4tie. Temperamental\u00a0it may be but versatile for certain.\u00a0In present day vineyards\u00a0on the Central Coast of California<\/strong> it is increasingly being grown in its own right enlarging the range of pure Viognier wines on the shelves of specialist wine shops and supermarkets alike. Many of these wines are lighter, less concentrated that their Condrieu cousins. Nevertheless they retain something of the distinctive Viognier character of spring fruit and floral bouquet and they sell for around the\u00a0$20-$30 mark\u00a0\u2026\u2026 well within the\u00a0price range\u00a0of most white wine drinkers.<\/p>\n

\"vio<\/a>Viognier is a remarkably difficult grape to grow. It is prone to mildew, produces notoriously low and unpredictable yields, and needs to be picked when fully ripe. If it is picked too early it fails to develop its classic aromas and rich tastes. But despite, or perhaps because of, this precariousness\u00a0fans enjoy\u00a0the most amazing clear, golden color and the aroma of flowers and fruits\u00a0in their glass. Many\u00a0are surprised by the taste; the color and nose hinting at something sweeter but the\u00a0wine itself\u00a0showing dry with a variety of nuances both on the palate and finish.
\nIn appreciating the surprising dryness of this wine don’t miss out on the few bottles of late harvested, dessert wines that winemakers are producing.<\/p>\n

This is the wine for everyone including the ABCers (Anything But Chardonnay), those are desperate for an alternative white wine that shows some character.<\/p>\n

It is best known for its apricot, peach and spice flavors, together with high alcohol (often over the 13% mark) and\u00a0medium acidity. As with many white wines it is generally best consumed young, although the classic Viogniers of the North Rh\u00f4ne (and increasingly wines from the oldest vines in California and Australia) can develop well for much longer.<\/p>\n

You can drink it with many foods or none. Try matching it with spicy Thai cuisine, Chinese takeout, Mexican dishes, medium to strong salty cheeses, strong flavored fish dishes, pork and chicken and fresh fruit.<\/p>\n

Call Breakaway Tours<\/strong><\/a> today to explore the amazing Viogniers offered right here on the Central Coast! Here are a few we’re especially loving now:<\/p>\n

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Ranchero Cellars 2013 Viognier, Paso Robles $30<\/a><\/p>\n

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Zaca Mesa 2014 Viognier, Santa Ynez $18<\/a><\/p>\n

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Tolosa 2015 Viognier 1772, Edna Valley $38<\/a><\/p>\n

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