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CHEESE PAIRING:
Mascarpone
Vermont Shepherd
Sonoma Jack
Swiss
Pt. Reyes Blue |
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Ten years ago the only place this varietal was found was in the Rhone Valley in a place called Condrieu. It's plantings in places like California's Central Coast and Australia that have saved this grape from extinction and obscurity, bringing it, for the first time, to the greater wine world's attention. It undoubtedly will never crack the top three in white wine popularity or production, but it does give those of us tired of boring, over-oaked Chardonnay, a full-bodied, fruity, flavorful alternative. Personally, it's my favorite white wine. Since there's not a lot grown, the wine produced is rarely inexpensive, however, most bottles hover in the $20-$25 range and, for the price, are much more interesting than many Chard's at the same price point. French versions have a little more elegance than their American/Aussie cousins, but are much harder to find and a bit more expensive.
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WHAT TO EXPECT: A bright, gold-colored wine with medium acidity and bold aromatics. The nose is highly fruity (peach, apricot, tropical) with floral (honeysuckle) and honey notes that carry through onto the palate. Full of ripeness, this is a wine that's lovely on it's own, yet may seem too sweet (though all are technically dry) for some people. Without the right amount of acid they can be a bit flabby. Great with rich/spicy foods that have a touch of sweetness.
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 | 2008 Cass Vineyards Viognier, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2008 Image du Sud Viognier Vin de Pays Méditerranée, Rhone Valley, France | RATING: ** |
| 2007 Bridlewood Winery Reserve Viognier, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2007 Cass Vineyards Viognier, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2007 Cline Cellars Viognier, California | RATING: * |
| 2007 Edward Sellers Vineyards Viognier, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2007 Shannon Ridge Vineyards Viognier, Lake County, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2007 Tres Hermanas Vineyard Viognier, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Alban Vineyards, Central Coast Viognier, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2006 Arroyo Robles Viognier, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Cass Vineyards Viognier, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2006 Cold Heaven Cellars Viognier, Vogelzang Vineyard, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Denner Vineyards Viognier, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Stags Leap Winery Viognier, Napa Valley, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Blair Fox Paradise Road Vineyard Viognier, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2005 Bridlewood Winery Reserve Viognier, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Fess Parker Viognier, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: ** |
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**** Outstanding | *** Delicious | ** Enjoyable | * Drinkable
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