Loving the blind tasting showdowns!

QOTD: There’s a new vineyard here in Maryland called Black Ankle Vineyard. They’re 5 miles from my house and focus on sustainable agriculture. Their wines are tearing up the Maryland festivals and taking most of the awards. They make a viognier that is awesome! Not that I have a point of reference since it’s the only viognier I’ve had…. but I love it!

p.s. was that a fart at 6:04??!!

Loving the blind tasting showdowns!

QOTD: There’s a new vineyard here in Maryland called Black Ankle Vineyard. They’re 5 miles from my house and focus on sustainable agriculture. Their wines are tearing up the Maryland festivals and taking most of the awards. They make a viognier that is awesome! Not that I have a point of reference since it’s the only viognier I’ve had…. but I love it!

p.s. was that a fart at 6:04??!!

Loving the blind tasting showdowns!

QOTD: There’s a new vineyard here in Maryland called Black Ankle Vineyard. They’re 5 miles from my house and focus on sustainable agriculture. Their wines are tearing up the Maryland festivals and taking most of the awards. They make a viognier that is awesome! Not that I have a point of reference since it’s the only viognier I’ve had…. but I love it!

p.s. was that a fart at 6:04??!!

I have enjoyed the Viognier’s that I have had to date. Check out Washington & Oregon as well. K Vinter’s make a great one!!

I have enjoyed the Viognier’s that I have had to date. Check out Washington & Oregon as well. K Vinter’s make a great one!!

I have enjoyed the Viognier’s that I have had to date. Check out Washington & Oregon as well. K Vinter’s make a great one!!

QOTD: I have had a number of Viogniers. I always recommend it as a great alternative to Chardonnay. Actually, I like it better than Chard. I’ve had some wonderful Condrieus, but they are too expensive for me to enjoy on a regular basis. The Aussies can make some nice Viogniers, and they cost much less. Surprisingly, one of the best domestic Viogniers I’ve tried came from Virginia, where the grape does quite well. If memory serves me correctly, it was from King Family Vineyards near Charlottesville.

QOTD: I have had a number of Viogniers. I always recommend it as a great alternative to Chardonnay. Actually, I like it better than Chard. I’ve had some wonderful Condrieus, but they are too expensive for me to enjoy on a regular basis. The Aussies can make some nice Viogniers, and they cost much less. Surprisingly, one of the best domestic Viogniers I’ve tried came from Virginia, where the grape does quite well. If memory serves me correctly, it was from King Family Vineyards near Charlottesville.

QOTD: I have had a number of Viogniers. I always recommend it as a great alternative to Chardonnay. Actually, I like it better than Chard. I’ve had some wonderful Condrieus, but they are too expensive for me to enjoy on a regular basis. The Aussies can make some nice Viogniers, and they cost much less. Surprisingly, one of the best domestic Viogniers I’ve tried came from Virginia, where the grape does quite well. If memory serves me correctly, it was from King Family Vineyards near Charlottesville.

QOTD: I never heard of it before I started watching WLTV and have never had it sadly.

QOTD: I never heard of it before I started watching WLTV and have never had it sadly.

QOTD: I never heard of it before I started watching WLTV and have never had it sadly.

QOTD: As someone who lives in northern Virginia I have had an opportunity to taste a lot of Viogniers, both from the East Coast (especially Va.), but also from around the world. There seems to be a very wide variation in styles on the market right now, so for the novice it is a little bit dangerous to taste a bottle and then “decide” whether you like this grape. You really need to taste several before judging “viognier”. As someone who staffs the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition each year, I can say that your experience when you tasted a Virginia viognier is somewhat common, in that some very good viogniers are produced in Virginia. I would urge WLTV folks to go out and try some viogniers today.

QOTD: As someone who lives in northern Virginia I have had an opportunity to taste a lot of Viogniers, both from the East Coast (especially Va.), but also from around the world. There seems to be a very wide variation in styles on the market right now, so for the novice it is a little bit dangerous to taste a bottle and then “decide” whether you like this grape. You really need to taste several before judging “viognier”. As someone who staffs the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition each year, I can say that your experience when you tasted a Virginia viognier is somewhat common, in that some very good viogniers are produced in Virginia. I would urge WLTV folks to go out and try some viogniers today.

QOTD: As someone who lives in northern Virginia I have had an opportunity to taste a lot of Viogniers, both from the East Coast (especially Va.), but also from around the world. There seems to be a very wide variation in styles on the market right now, so for the novice it is a little bit dangerous to taste a bottle and then “decide” whether you like this grape. You really need to taste several before judging “viognier”. As someone who staffs the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition each year, I can say that your experience when you tasted a Virginia viognier is somewhat common, in that some very good viogniers are produced in Virginia. I would urge WLTV folks to go out and try some viogniers today.

Hi Gary,

Love viognier, always got a couple of bottles in stock. In Europe (were I live) you can get good quality from mainly Languedoc for about 8 euro’s.
Good ones from Triennes and Laurent Miquel. Both Vdp’s
greetz !
Love the show !

Hi Gary,

Love viognier, always got a couple of bottles in stock. In Europe (were I live) you can get good quality from mainly Languedoc for about 8 euro’s.
Good ones from Triennes and Laurent Miquel. Both Vdp’s
greetz !
Love the show !

Hi Gary,

Love viognier, always got a couple of bottles in stock. In Europe (were I live) you can get good quality from mainly Languedoc for about 8 euro’s.
Good ones from Triennes and Laurent Miquel. Both Vdp’s
greetz !
Love the show !

Dear Steven,

I just read your comment and I loved the same viognier. That’s a big coincedence, looking at what’s on the market. I drink Nord Sud all the time.

Greetz,

Seb

QOTD: Experience with Viognier has ranged from amazing to terrible. Seems like a grape that can produce a very wide range of wine styles and I generally and a big fan, but hate it when it goes fuzzy navel on you.

Love the hand puppets Mott….please bring them back

QOTD: Have only had a couple bottles of Viognier, would like to try more.

Thanks for the blind tastings, they rock.

I’ve recently fallen in love with viognier’s, specifically the 2008 Viognier and Late Harvest Viognier of Cambria Winery (Santa Maria, CA). I love that they’re both fragrant and the slightest bit buttery. The Late Harvest is obviously much sweeter, significantly heavier in mouthfeel, but is still balanced with notes of orange blossom, honey and sweet citrus zest, with a touch of pineapple. The finish is absolutely beautiful – crisp, but lingering. The Viognier is just as lovely and I think it makes a beautiful introduction to viognier’s- it’s clean, crisp, floral and hints at a touch of sweetness with the lightest touch of pineapple. Gorgeous varietal, and it’s even better when you find one you like.

Imagery Estates in Sonoma makes an awesome Viognier – more in the fresh bright style. Loaded with peaches – great stuff.

QOTD: The best experiance I have had with Viognier was a 60 40 Viognier Rousanne blend that, yes I realise how conceeded this sounds, the winery I work for did in 2006. Still one of our most sought after whites to this day. If you happen to read this gary I would be more than happy to send you a bottle. Not really looking for publicity, just mainly trying to open up a dialogue. Love the blind tastings, keep up the good work.

Great show — love the format!

Although I’ve had widely variable experiences with Viognier, its right up there with Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling as my favored white. Like I say, hugely variable, though — even within/amongst Condrieus. In the US the styles seem to run the full gamut, from more minerally (e.g., Penner-Ash) — which I like a lot — to more over-the-top floral/oaky, like much of what I’ve tasted in the varietal from the Central Coast.