Viognier: Your Summer Holiday in a Glass
Can you imagine capturing your entire summer holiday in just one bottle of wine? The flavors of tropical mango, honeysuckle and rose and buttery texture that stays with you through each sip would bring your summer memories back. A sip of Viognier wine is all you need for the summer holiday experience. If you haven't tried this delightful wine yet, you're truly missing out!
Here are five reasons why Viognier should be on your wine shopping list this summer.
1. Viognier Tastes Like Summer
When you pour yourself a glass of Viognier wine, the enticing aromas will transport you to sunny beaches and tropical islands. The wine reveals aromas and flavors of ripe mango, juicy apricot and sweet peaches. Delightful floral notes intertwine with the ripe tropical fruits, think honeysuckle, jasmine, and rose petals.
When you taste a Viognier, you will experience a creamy texture and buttery finish that perfectly captures summer indulgence. If summer had a flavor, Viognier would undoubtedly be it!
2. Easy to Find Wherever You Go
The best part of enjoying a Viognier wine is its widespread presence in many parts of the world. This versatile grape variety grows primarily in the Rhône Valley in France and other major New World wine regions, including California, Virginia and Australia, as well as Chile and numerous other parts of the world.
Whether you're relaxing on a Mediterranean beach, exploring vineyards in California, or even sipping at your local wine bar, you're likely to find a bottle of Viognier.
3. A Versatile Wine with Endless Food Pairings
Viognier has gained popularity because it matches well with a wide variety of summer foods. Its aromatic fruit-forward taste, together with its creamy texture, pairs beautifully with grilled seafood, spicy Asian dishes, creamy cheeses, and even grilled vegetables like pepper and asparagus.
Whether you're serving something spicy, creamy, or simply grilled, this versatile wine has you covered. For a regional twist, try these delightful pairings:
- Languedoc Viognier: with Chicken Scarpariello With Sausage And Peppers — its warm, spicy undertones highlight the sweet and sour sauce, while the wine’s natural mango notes mirror the dish’s fruity sweetness.
- Condrieu Viognier: with Seared scallops with a light citrus beurre blanc — the wine’s bright acidity cuts through the buttery sauce and its floral aromatics enhance the scallops’ delicate sweetness.
- Chilean Viognier: with Grilled vegetables like peppers and asparagus — crisp minerality and stone-fruit flavors balance the smokiness of charred veggies and refresh the palate.
- Virginia Viognier: with Thai green curry — bold tropical fruit notes and a creamy texture stand up to bold spices and rich, herb-infused flavors.
4. Enjoy Great Viognier on Any Budget
Don't worry if you're conscious about your summer spending. Viognier wines suit all pockets. You can find excellent bottles at various price points, from budget-friendly everyday wines to premium selections perfect for special occasions.
For an affordable introduction, try crisp, fruity Viogniers from regions like South America or southern France.
Feeling indulgent? Treat yourself with a Condrieu Viognier from the Northern Rhône of France, where the more complex Viognier wines are from. Expect bright scents of citrus, melon and peach, along with floral rose petals and a touch of almond. Its refreshing acidity and creamy layered feel give it a richness much like a top white Burgundy.
Whatever your budget, there's a delightful Viognier waiting to elevate your summer moments.
5. Viognier: A Great Addition to Red Wines
Here's a fun fact: Viognier is one of the rare white grape varieties that you'll find also in red wines.
While typically a white wine, Viognier is sometimes blended with red grapes like Syrah, especially in France and Australia. The addition of Viognier creates a refined, aromatic quality and velvety texture in red wines, to improve the wine's taste and mouthfeel.
Trying both the pure Viognier white and Viognier-blended reds can open a whole new world of wine enjoyment this summer.
Bringing the Vacation with You
Viognier isn't just a delicious white wine, it's your ticket to an instant summer escape. Whether you're reminiscing about past adventures or creating new memories, each sip of Viognier brings the holiday spirit alive.
Use our ground-breaking SmartSomm tool to find a wine that is suitable for your taste and budget. You can even search for the dish you want SmartSomm to recommend a wine to pair with.
This summer, let Viognier be your go-to wine. Open your bottle, close your eyes; inhale the warmth of sunlight, hear ocean waves and feel that fragrant breath. Cheers to your summer holiday in a glass!
Krystal Wen
