Charlemagne Wine Club - 2007 Tastings

Monday 16th July 2007
Viognier presented by Sandy Leckie
Viognier is fast becoming the new Chardonnay. This "new kid on the block" was almost extinct in the 1960s when there was only 8 acres in the Northern Rhône. Now, thanks to the efforts of New World winemakers, it is finding new favour with consumers and growers around the world. Its spiritual home is in Condrieu and the single vineyard AC, Château Grillet - both tiny areas which produce even tinier amounts of wine which are expensive but also very tasty.
The sensuous aromas of apricot and peach, haunting and tantalising, can be found in wines grown as far afield as Argentina, Australia, South Africa and the USA, and increasingly in the Southern areas of France.

Sandy Leckie has scoured the world in search of good Viognier in all price ranges and hopes to include a Condrieu, Yalumba's "Virgilius" and a top Californian example among his selection.