An evening with Mr Viognier!!

Here, in Edmonton, we were very fortunate to have Mat Garretson with us for a couple of days. Good jokes and wine stories, excellent communicator and a terrific winemaker. I felt like a wine-groupie following him around town!!

Whites.

`04 G-White Marsanne-Viognier.

Smooth, melon, clean, crisp.Very gulpable, a great introduction.

`05 Saothar Viognier.

Nose of honey, peach, floral. Oily texture, banana, nectarine, very gd balance, nice citrus.

`04 Chumhra Marsanne-Viognier.

Apricot and honeysuckle,some coconut too. Off-dry,would be good with spicy foods. Ripe, elegant, bit flabby when warm. Peach and medium bodied. Nice.

Reds

`03 G-Red.

Syrah with small % Viognier. Reddish tones on rim, nose had raspberry. Sweet floral tones, cherry, chocolate, pepper on palate.

`03 Craic Syrah.

15.4% alc. Hint of smoke,plum, cherry. Very fruit forward on palate, low tannin, good balance. A blend of 2 vineyards, needs 3-8 yrs.

`04 Celeidh.

"This is my rose". One of the darkist I have ever come across. Strawberry funky nose, violets, thyme and raspberry on entry mouthfeel. Syrah with some mourvedre and grenache.

****** Needless to say not the complete portfolio. A late-harvest Viognier and a Mourvedre were held up in the system.

I had my first Viognier last week matched with an appetizer. I was blown away by the distinct fruit flavors. This was the first time I had seen the grape.

Where is it popular? (too lazy to google)

I had my first Viognier last week matched with an appetizer. I was blown away by the distinct fruit flavors. This was the first time I had seen the grape.

Where is it popular? (too lazy to google)

It came to us from France, and it has been picking up in popularity here in the US the last few years. I have enjoyed some very lovely bottles of Viognier from various Washington vintners, and recently came home with some from Walla Walla. Rulo & Whitman both produce a lovely wine from this grape. I'm sure there are other in that area, but those are the ones I most recently tasted.

-- Clark

As a matter of interest, there is an increasing trend in Australia as well as S Africa to blend in a small % of viognier with shiraz. Gives the wine a more aromatic dimension plus adds some floral notes to an otherwise big red.

I had my first Viognier last week matched with an appetizer. I was blown away by the distinct fruit flavors. This was the first time I had seen the grape.

Where is it popular? (too lazy to google)

Josh,
Viognier reaches a high point in the Condrieu appellation of the Northern Rhone. In fact it is the only grape variety allowed in this appellation. Viognier may also used in Cote Rotie as a small percentage (usually 5 to 10%) added to the Syrah.
Bill