First Viognier I ever had was a glass of Alban at a wine bar–just their main general bottling. Blew my mind.

Other memorable one was the ’03 or ’04 Kangarilla Road shiraz/viognier–apricot city on the nose, intense shiraz on the palate.

First Viognier I ever had was a glass of Alban at a wine bar–just their main general bottling. Blew my mind.

Other memorable one was the ’03 or ’04 Kangarilla Road shiraz/viognier–apricot city on the nose, intense shiraz on the palate.

If you like floral aromatics, you’ve got to love viognier. Sometimes the varietal can be marred by too many sweet tropical flavors–too much Dole pineapple. But when it’s a little more astringent and it’s on, it’s hard to beat for food friendliness.
The Paradou is a great way to dip your toe in for only about ten bucks.

QOTD: I have chosen CA and WA viogniers, but find them overly floral; especially the scent of honeysuckle flowers, which overshadows the taste for me.

QOTD: I have chosen CA and WA viogniers, but find them overly floral; especially the scent of honeysuckle flowers, which overshadows the taste for me.

Gary, too many whites for this time of year. How about some nice rich, hearty reds…

Meh.

QOTD: Tried a ton of Vio as VA is kinda known for it. Haven’t found too many that I like, maybe I am just too picky, but I like the other white rhone blends much better.

Meh.

QOTD: Tried a ton of Vio as VA is kinda known for it. Haven’t found too many that I like, maybe I am just too picky, but I like the other white rhone blends much better.

Did someone break wind at 6:04? May have been all that cheese G…..!

Cheers

Some of the nicest whites when from the Rhone.

Nice shot with the cork!

Some of the nicest whites when from the Rhone.

Nice shot with the cork!

QOTD – I like it, had several southern rhone whites and like the crisp acid, chalky and tropical flavors. Seafood time…

Another brown bag, throw-down to a draw!
I’ve found that I generally like the bouquet of Viognier far more than what is delivered to the palate…maybe it is just because there tends to be a significant disconnect between the two. Granted, I have not tried tons, but at least a couple of dozen.

QOTD: Had a Viognier from South Africa a couple of years ago, that was so awkward and over the top gooey, that it almost put me off the varietal permanenly (do not remember the brand, must have purged it from memory banks)…some hits and misses since…and then back in August at a trade tasting I went through this year’s releases from Yalumba, and found them all pretty well balanced, aromatically interesting, fresh and clean, and the prices were on target for the present market conditions. Easy to find them too…

Another brown bag, throw-down to a draw!
I’ve found that I generally like the bouquet of Viognier far more than what is delivered to the palate…maybe it is just because there tends to be a significant disconnect between the two. Granted, I have not tried tons, but at least a couple of dozen.

QOTD: Had a Viognier from South Africa a couple of years ago, that was so awkward and over the top gooey, that it almost put me off the varietal permanenly (do not remember the brand, must have purged it from memory banks)…some hits and misses since…and then back in August at a trade tasting I went through this year’s releases from Yalumba, and found them all pretty well balanced, aromatically interesting, fresh and clean, and the prices were on target for the present market conditions. Easy to find them too…

Viognier: the classic legspreader wine with pedigree. Always was a favorite after reading Mcinerny wax on about the virtues of Coindrieu (sp?) . Incognito, Calera, Miner, and Foxen have always been favorites.
Lovin’ the blinds.

Whoa…what was that @ 6.04 in to the show. The Mottster passing some ViognAIR. Nice.

QOTD: I’ll always go Rhone for the Viognier, however, Jaffurs and Herman Story both have some really good stuff out of Cali.

Whoa…what was that @ 6.04 in to the show. The Mottster passing some ViognAIR. Nice.

QOTD: I’ll always go Rhone for the Viognier, however, Jaffurs and Herman Story both have some really good stuff out of Cali.

Great episode. I love the blind tastings… they are my favorite. Viognier, too me, always smells so good, but the taste usually falls a bit short of the nose.

Try some Virginia Viognier sometime I think we do really well with this varietal!

Try some Virginia Viognier sometime I think we do really well with this varietal!

I really like the blind-tasting format, and I really like the head-to-head format – these episodes are, therefore, amazing!

QOTD: I have found myself really enjoying viognier quite a bit, both from California and from the Rhone. The perfumy aromatics and the thick mouthfeel (which seem to turn some people off) are actually what I like about it. Always looking to try new ones.

Viognier has been my most recent “varietal of choice” for whites. I probably discovered it off a recommendation from you, Gary, a year or two ago, as that’s how I usually discover new varietals. I love Yalumba viognier from Australia and Wattle Creek Viognier from CA. Recently spent a week in Sonoma and tried a few on the tasting lists, but not were worth buying a bottle for me. I like that with the above viogniers that I’ve liked there was a “floral” aspect, but they weren’t overly sweet and there was a nice balance of acidity which made me want more.

Viognier has been my most recent “varietal of choice” for whites. I probably discovered it off a recommendation from you, Gary, a year or two ago, as that’s how I usually discover new varietals. I love Yalumba viognier from Australia and Wattle Creek Viognier from CA. Recently spent a week in Sonoma and tried a few on the tasting lists, but not were worth buying a bottle for me. I like that with the above viogniers that I’ve liked there was a “floral” aspect, but they weren’t overly sweet and there was a nice balance of acidity which made me want more.

QOTD: I’ve only had the Smoking Loon Viognier, really the only viognier that I’ve seen around here.

Nice wristband toss!

QOTD: I live in Virginia and make a lot of Viognier here so I’ve tried quite a few. I would have to say its definitely the varietal that does best here. Linden continues to make quality wines.