A Fantastic Tuesday – Episode #172

January 23, 2007

Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Whetstone Viognier Catie’s Corner Vineyard Russian River Valley

Today in a viewer inspired episode Gary tries a wine that he’s been dying to try on WLTV.

150 Responses

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January 24, 2007

Sakas
QOTD – No, but i have one in my cellar!!! =)
January 24, 2007

Lawrence Leichtman
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.
January 24, 2007

Joe Po
Viogniers are woderful tasting wines.
Thnxs for the show!
January 24, 2007

ScottJ
Viogniers are great wines. My favorites from California would be from Miner, Dariousch and Renwood.
January 24, 2007

Skip
Yes, I’ve had viogniers and love them.
If you want to splurge a bit try the Dariousch Viognier from Napa.
If you want $20 and under try the Kathy’s Cuvee Viognier from Rosenblum Cellars.
Both are intensely floral and feel lusciously thick and finish off-dry.
Can’t really justify spending the huge amount for a good Condrieu from France at the moment, but will some day.
Had a moderately priced one and was surprised how dry it was.
January 24, 2007

wine dog
Love the episode. Love Viognier.
I go to the Santa Barbara Futures tasting each year looking for Pinot, Granache, etc. This year I bought more small production white wine than ever before:
Foxen – Chenin Blanc 89
Cold Heaven – Viognier 90
Curtis – Rousanne 90+
Don, Des Deux Mondes – Viognier 91+
Clendenen Family Vineyards – Tocai Friulano 92 Wow!!! If you can find this one you should. Incredible!!!
January 24, 2007

Adam B
yes, the ‘03 Guigal Condrieu. Did not blow me away.
January 24, 2007

cgf
Gary,
You down in Naples for the Charity Auction?

My fiancee saw Robert Parker at her hotel yesterday.

Hope you are having a good time.
January 24, 2007

Gregg Johnson
QOTD –

No, but I will be trying some very soon.
Thanks
January 24, 2007

thomas korent
QOTD: yes, a condrieu from france and an Australian from Yalumba. Both good, both very different.
January 24, 2007

rino70
g,
viognier is interesting varietal for me, it’s kind of like stiflers mom from american pie. while somewhat exotic its seem flabby and almost fat at times. thats great on occasion but would prefer a muscadet or good austrian grunier veltliner for most occasions. firm, crisp, easy wine that pairs nicely at meal time.
that being said, treanna viognier/marsanne from the central coast, pierano the other white and pine ridge chenin blanc/viognier are nice domestic offerings.
January 24, 2007

Suzanne
QOTD; I’ve only tried one Viognier so far; Yalumba. From what I remember, the nose was incredibly flowery, which I sort of expected, but the floral aspect carried over into the actual taste of the wine, which didn’t appeal to me. I did think it was a very interesting change from the more mainstream whites, however, and I’ll be seeking out more Viogniers to try.

Gary, hope you’re having a great vacation, and some obnoxious fun & relaxation down there in Florida! (or as a pal of mine refers to it, “God’s Waiting Room”)
January 24, 2007

Eric B
QOTD – It just so happens that I had my first Viognier (Georges Duboeuf Pays de L”Ardeche) last night at a restaurant with Mediterranean-style food. I have to say that I was disappointed. It was aromatic but it missed what I believe is essential to white wine – ACID! It tasted flat/flabby and could not cut through the food as well as a crisp Chenin (or good Riesling) would have.
January 24, 2007

vayniac formerly known as JohnC
gary,

My wife and I both love Viogniers and have had several, but mainly Jewel and Yalumba because their price point make them everyday drinking wines. But after this episode I am tempted to purchase higher end Viogniers and lay them down as I do some reds.

Thanks.
January 24, 2007

ThomasS
Tsk, you with your toes stuck in the sand while I’m working through piles of paperwork. Njg, njg, njg, … . Anyway, don’t forget your rubber ring when taking a splash !
QOTD: Love viognier. Over here it’s a hype: when you pretend to know smth about wine, you drink viognier, that kinda stuff. So, yes, I plead g. Because of course, I’m a guy who pretends to know a bit about wine . I’ve had some viogniers, but never tasted a Condrieu yet. Definitely should go for one. Want to know what all that talk about these is about.
January 24, 2007

Darlene O.
Hey, Gary, hope you’re having a ridonculous vacation! Yes, I’ve had an amazing Viognier. :}
January 24, 2007

Kai
QOD – Yes. Miner Family, Simpson Vineyard. Perry Creek Vineyard. E Guigal etc….

I am going to try the Whetstone.

Thanks.
January 24, 2007

RobM
QOTD: Yep, but only from Virginia, specifically Barboursville. Even from VA I love the varietal. Can’t wait to try some wine from other areas.
January 24, 2007

Adrian T
Never had a Viognier, kinda of an esoteric wine purchase for me…Although I did try my first resling by your recommendation…I think I might have to still play around with it…It still was just to sweet for me…However I will continue to try them out…
January 24, 2007

Nico
Thanks for the episode, Gary!

QOTD: YES, I had a chance to taste a viognier when I visited Napa’s Saddleback Cellars. Definite distinct varietal character!

-Nico
January 24, 2007

Robin in Boise, Idaho
Gary, The white paper you used with such flair was a perfectly executed background for showing the Gold of Viognier. Thanks for taking my suggestion to heart. You are a luv. And for taping an episode while on ‘vacation’ which is when you SHOULD do / taste something you’ve been wanting to experience. Good On!
I first tasted Condrieu many years ago in France and am delighted to see so many wine regions doing well with this varietal. As the man from Texas suggested, try some new regions. 5 of the 25+ Idaho wineries are growing and vinifying Viognier. Two of the recent Gold Medal Winners at the all Idaho Wine Festival last August were earned by Parma Ridge and Coeur d’Alene for their 2004 vintage Viognier. Only 8 Gold, 21 Silver and 23 Bronze medals were awarded. Idaho had wines placing highly at pre-prohibition international expositions, before grapes were ever planted in Washington or Oregon! We are just now coming into fame again. We took so many medals in LA one year that the Californians don’t want Idaho wines in their competitions. So we have our own… Please consider coming out here this summer to be a judge. I’m a New Jersey native and so is Alice Waters of Chez Panisse. Great cabbage patches produce well in the Garden State. If you believe in the Stork Theory, I don’t want to challenge your version of reality. Just agree we are good people of great taste.
Enjoy your well-deserved vacation. I am becoming addicted to your videos. Cheers, Robin.
January 24, 2007

scotty
Gary-thanks for the fix. The 2 best viognier i’ve had lately were the 05 alban and a 04 jl colombo
January 24, 2007

ChrisR
yes, viognier many times
January 23, 2007

RyanWV
Great episode Gary this is my first comment but ive been watching for a couple months now…Love the show especially this one Viognier is one of my favorite grapes. Had a chance to try a few Condrieus and also a bunch of lower priced but quite tasty Viogniers. Keep up the awesome work.

Ryan
January 23, 2007

cpd
QOTD: No, but I will.