at last a clean glass for each wine and you didn’t interrupt the speaker once. bravo

Mr. Vay-ner-chuk,

Love viognier, especially when it all comes together… bouquet and palate. Wow! I find it hard to sell funky bottles like the Australian version you had on the show, I didn’t like the bottle either. Some of the better viogniers out there seem to be coming from Washington State. I know that this may sound sacrilegious but Stephenson Cellar’s 2007 viognier was so close to a Condrieu, I would not be able to tell it wasn’t, in a blind format… No kidding! ( I hope that makes sense). Stephenson Cellars is a small winery located in Walla Walla Washington. Other great viognier from Washington just to name a couple, Mount Baker Vineyards, Maryhill Winery and Coyote Canyon Vineyards, Horse Heaven Hills. You still can’t beat viognier out of the Rhone, the stuff is mind-blowing but expensive.

QOTD: I really enjoy Viognier, have had several that I’ve enjoyed. Benziger Family in Sonoma have one on one of their labels that I’ve really liked.

Great show
QOTD – I love Viognier. I thought that Viognier would become much more popular when I first tasted it in the mid 90’s. This varitial does seem to have a wide variation of styles from winemaker to winemaker and region to region, but that makes it fun to try more wines.

MORE FINGER PUPPETS!!!!!

QOTD- Viognier is one of my favorite whites. I generally drink reds, and am not a fan of most Chardonays. I love the fragrance Viognier presents, and they often have a flavor to match. I have had a few “flat”ones, but they generally deliver for a good price. One note– they don’t match up with some foods as well as a riesling

Good job with the short – intense shows. Enjoy that a lot and it fits my schedule 😀

//Kapers

Gary,
thanks for the intro to these. I’m always looking for good whites, since I tend to be a red wine drinking. Have never liked the ‘oaky’ aspect of most chards, thus stay away from them. I’ll give these a whirl.

QOTD: My favorite I’ve had was a Condrieu from Maison Guyot, ’06 vintage. For a fresher, fruitier style…Chumeia Viognier from Paso Robles, or Shoo Fly Viognier from Australia. I just noticed the other day that the ’08 vintage of Conundrum tastes pretty heavy on the Viognier as well, which I enjoyed.

Have not imbibed the vio yet but had my first Roussane the other day, creamy creams, GREAT with apples.

AWESOME “RIP Patrick Swayze” tasting note. Possibly best yet, better than road kill fruit bowl.

Gary,

Is there a white grape equivalent to grenache?

Hi Gary,
This is a great grape variety that is under rated in this country.
Surprisingly I recently tasted an outstanding Viognier from a PA
Winery called Paradocx in the Philly area. Theirs is a little pricey
and I am planning to have a Viognier tasting at my Christmas Party
next Monday nite.

Very cool twist with the blind tastings. Awhile back you mentioned that if you could only get one person that loves Chard to try a Viognier you would be happy. That prompted me to tell my wife and mother in law about it and they are all in now. We grab a bottle once a week now. Thanks for the tip for sure!

Hi Purple Grillz… check out Grenache Blanc, sounds like it is right up your alley.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenache_Blanc

QOTD: I don’t really like it. They tend to be too perfume-y for me. And if I’m gonna spend 40-60 bucks on white wine I rather do it in Burgundy or germany rather than condrieu.

I like Condrieu the best. Few Cali Viogniers that are OK but not a fan of Oz Viognier.

We’ve been drinking Viogniers for years. The V vines love VA.

i’ve missed you gary! love the head to heads.

QOTD: had a california viognier from trader joe’s called honeymoon. perfectly fine for the incredible price point ($6!)

QOTD: A grape that I am definitely on the fence with – have never tried one that I have totally loved if you know what I mean, but have had enjoyable experiences in the “not expecting too much” price range of £6-10. Chile does some OK ones, France also. It’s not a varietal that I will activelly go and seek out though I have to admit…God – I;m rambling today…

QOTD: A grape that I am definitely on the fence with – have never tried one that I have totally loved if you know what I mean, but have had enjoyable experiences in the “not expecting too much” price range of £6-10. Chile does some OK ones, France also. It’s not a varietal that I will activelly go and seek out though I have to admit…God – I;m rambling today…

Purple Grillz – Grenache Blanc! And no, I’m not taking the piss, it’s a genuine question and there is a grenache blanc grape out there that is used in white CNDP’s and the south of France in general. Hope this helps, T.

Viognier is one of my favorite whites, although it is hard to find lots of options. I have always been a big fan of the combination of weight and viscocity with the bright flavors. Great stuff.

Need to change that shirt Gary. If you wear it again, it’ll be on the FBI’s ten most wanted.

Rgds.

QOTD: I like my Viogner mixed with Shiraz.

Mott farted!

Too bad you didnt touch on the Shiraz+Viognier combination at all. There are some pretty awesome wines from Australia with that blend 🙂