[...] While watching the Wine Library TV review of the Viognier from Catie’s Corner Vineyard gave me a lot of confidence to make a barrel from there too, the winery who’s Viognier it was troubled me. They are Whetstone Wine Cellars. I immediately caught the similarity to my intended Whetwater Winery name. What are the chances that there would be two “whet…” names producing the same wine using the same source? [...]
[...] During last week, I was thinking of one of the Zinfendels for mid to high-$6K. Then over this weekend, I was reading good things about Viognier (white wine). I even came across an enthusiatic Wine Library TV review of it that was made with grapes from the specific vineyard Crushpad was offering. Unlike the Zinfendels sources which I haven’t found anything in particular about. The Viognier will cost just mid-$5K which is definitely easier on my credit card. As of now, unless I hear or read something better, I’ll probably commit to the Viognier this week. [...]
QOTD: Gary, I can say that I’ve never had a viognier. Cheers ~ Jtk
about 20 months ago
Joel in Kyoto
QOD- yes…i love viogniers….seems the french table versions always show a green apple on the nose at first, the some petrol-ly characters. the mouthfeel you didn’t mention gary but i find the viscosity attractive in viogniers….a little oily and slippery. guigal’s condrieus can be superb…definitely more complexity than the french table versions of the varietal……and i like darenburg’s hermit crab, which is a nice rhone white blend (great too with crab as you said!)…….i find these whites really enjoyable but let me ask this: has anyone out there had a PROFOUND viognier experience? parker always seems to say that these wines have no more aging potential than a year or two, which i find hard to believe given the size of these wines…but i wonder if a 10 yr old low yield hand made viognier wouldn’t be outstanding?
Yes I’ve had a couple. They have a distinct taste. Quite pleasant, however, not my favorite.
about 20 months ago
Riezin
I’ve had a number of viogniers and I love the aromatics but i often struggle with the flavor and body of the wine once i start drinking. It often seems like there’s too much going on - no focus. I love viognier as a blending grape in reds like syrah though, and still hope to find a viognier to my liking, its in that cool category of exotic whites like gewurtz that are fun to introduce people to.
about 20 months ago
Skol
Yes. I tried one Viognier which was the 2004 Guigal La Dorianne from Condrieu.
I was looking to expand my horizons and wanted to try a Rhone white.
I thought the aroma was nice the at first but it really opened up over time to be very aromatic. The mouthfeel was great with more glycerin than I expected.
I wonder if this is typical of viognier. Looking forward to try some California ones.
Cheers.
about 20 months ago
Wil Neverspit
Thanks GV.
QOTD: No, but I will.
Ciao.
about 20 months ago
Shaggy D
QOTD: Yep, love them
about 20 months ago
Russ J
Yes. Last one I recall having was the Melville on a GV/WLTV recommendation. Loved it.
Thanks for the episode!
about 20 months ago
Wino
QOTD- No. Wait, wasn’t it in the Wolf Trap blend? Maybe yes.
about 20 months ago
YoungDave
Thank you again, Gary- I didn’t know what I was going to do without your blog at the end of my shift (restaurant server/bartender) every night of this week.
ANYWAY– yes, I have had a Viogner…exactly one, and in my price range (college student in Boston) it might be the best affordable new world option. Unlike some of the other 2005 Smoking Loon varietals I’ve tried (the pinot was too thin and astringent/tart for me to appreciate), their 2005 Viogner was a well-balanced, fruit-foreward effort with a fair amount of acidity. What a floral varietal Viogner can be, and I hope to try many more in the future. Great ep, Big G.
Really like Viognier. Great alternative to Chardonnay for me and always crisp and clean and no hint of oak though the butterscotch and caramel you mention with the Whetstone makes me think that oak may have touched this wine other than the stainless steel these are usually made in. Never had Whetstone but I will give it a try. The last Viognier you recommended was a big hit.
about 20 months ago
Joe Po
Viogniers are woderful tasting wines.
Thnxs for the show!
about 20 months ago
ScottJ
Viogniers are great wines. My favorites from California would be from Miner, Dariousch and Renwood.
about 18 months ago
Paradoxical Entity » Easy come, easy goabout 18 months ago
Paradoxical Entity » What to make for 2007?about 19 months ago
Jtkabout 20 months ago
Joel in Kyotoabout 20 months ago
Uncle Joshabout 20 months ago
Miguelo DiMarcoabout 20 months ago
Portland Guyabout 20 months ago
DJAabout 20 months ago
Riezinabout 20 months ago
Skolabout 20 months ago
Wil Neverspitabout 20 months ago
Shaggy Dabout 20 months ago
Russ Jabout 20 months ago
Winoabout 20 months ago
YoungDaveabout 20 months ago
ATLienabout 20 months ago
Lil Luceabout 20 months ago
bugbirdfishboyabout 20 months ago
Joe Tabout 20 months ago
yowens44about 20 months ago
Jayabout 20 months ago
Sakasabout 20 months ago
Lawrence Leichtmanabout 20 months ago
Joe Poabout 20 months ago
ScottJ