Wine drinkers tend to either love or hate Viognier.
Intensely aromatic and exotic with a distinctive taste and slightly oily mouthfeel, some Viogniers can overwhelm some people.
At its best, Viognier typically has delicious flavours and aromas of fuzzy peach, citrus (leaning toward tangerine and orange peel), honey, honeysuckle flower and ginger.
It's heady and lush, yet delicate, with a pleasing, textured mouthfeel.
As such Viognier is usually easy to pick out in a blind tasting because it's so singular and unique.
However, at its worst, Viognier can be hot and alcoholic, overripe,overwrought and flabby.
I would never steer you toward that kind of nasty wine.
Therefore, the nine Viogniers being spotlighted in today's column are all prime examples of what makes this varietal remarkable and exceptional.
They all also highlight what elevates and allows Viognier to soar -- that aforementioned highly aromatic and striking profile of sun-ripened peach, orange, white flower, honey and spice.
They are also the wines you should pick up on this International Viognier Day to enjoy on a sunny patio or with a variety of foods from shrimp and salad to chicken in Moroccan sauce and Camembert cheese.
Without further ado, here they are:
- Yalumba Organic 2021 Viognier ($28) from South Australia
We've put the Yalumba top of the list because the winery inaugurated International Viognier Day on April 25, 2021.
Like most wine grape varieties, Viognier originated in France (in this case the country's Rhone Valley).
However, Yalumba became an Australian pioneer when it started to grow Viognier in 1980 and has championed the varietal ever since.
Viognier is Yalumba's signature white wine and as such it makes six different versions -- the aforementioned Organic, Y Series, Eden Valley, The Virgilius, FSW Botrytis and Hand Picked Shiraz+Viognier, in which just a splash of Viognier is added to Australia's signature red Shiraz to lift flavours and brighten the colour.
- See Ya Later Ranch 2023 Legacy Viognier ($28) from Okanagan Falls
- Black Hills 2022 Viognier ($35) from Oliver
- Laughing Stock 2022 Viognier ($28) from the Naramata Bench
- Blasted Church 2023 Viognier ($24) from Okanagan Falls
- Blasted Church 2024 Viognier ($24), a special edition blend from 64% Washington state and 36% from the Okanagan
- Hester Creek 2024 Viognier ($24), from the Oliver winery's 'Columbia Valley Collection' made with Washington state grapes
- Stags' Leap 2022 Viognier ($55) from California's renowned Napa Valley
- Cono Sur Bicicleta Reserva 2024 Viognier ($13) from Chile
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Grand Sommelier Express adjacent
The Grand Sommelier Express wine-and-food ride through Summerland on a historic steam train June 20 and 21 is now sold out.
But, you can still get in on the weekend's action with Summerland's Kick Off Summer Dinner Events.
On both Friday the 20th and Saturday the 21st, Lightning Rock Winery is hosting Where There's Smoke brisket dinners with a glass of wine in conjunction with Summerland Smoke Shack for $48 per person.
Tickets here for Friday and here for Saturday.
Also on the Friday and Saturday, Lunessence Winery is hosting Dim Summerland wine-paired dinners of handmade dumplings, bao and lotus leaf rice wraps.
Tickets are $50 per person here for Friday and here for Saturday.
Haywire Pizza & Pinot Party is on the winery's crush pad on June 21 with slices from Krusty Joe's Food truck and wine from Haywire.
$45 tickets here.
Pamplemousse Jus Natural Winery and Dominion Cider are joining forces to put on an al fresco evening June 21 of Thai food, wine, cider and live music at Pamplemousse.
Cover charge is $10 here and then you buy the food and drink there.
If you want to sleep over for the weekend, Summerland Waterfront Resort is a Grand Sommelier Express partner.
Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at [email protected]. His wine column appears every Friday afternoon in this space.
