Viognier - Complex fruitiness

The Viognier grape variety used to be grown exclusively in the northern half of the Rhone Valley in France. The white grape variety is capable of producing both very fine and complex wines, particularly due to its fruitiness, which is reminiscent of peach, apricot, honey and spices.

Learn more about Viognier

Profiles

Viognier is a white grape variety that originated in the Rhône Valley in France, but is now successfully cultivated in various wine-growing regions around the world, including South Africa and Portugal. Viognier is known for its lush, aromatic wines with a full, silky texture and low acidity. The grapes ripen relatively late, which gives the wines an intense variety of flavours and complexity. Viognier is used both as a single variety and in cuvées, often in combination with Syrah to give red wines an aromatic flavour.

Fruit ★★★★★

Body ★★★★

Semi-dry ★★★★

Acidity ★★★★

Alcohol ★★★★

Flavours

Viognier is one of the most aromatic white grape varieties and offers a wealth of exotic fruit flavours. The typical flavours include:

Dominant notes:

- Stone fruit: apricot, peach, nectarine

- Tropical fruits: mango, pineapple

- Flowers: honeysuckle, orange blossom, jasmine

- Spice: nutmeg, cinnamon

The dominant notes vary depending on the region and winemaking style, but the floral and fruity aromas are often in the foreground, followed by a subtle spiciness.

Harmonises with

Thanks to its aromatic intensity and often creamy texture, Viognier is an excellent accompaniment to a wide range of dishes, especially savoury and rich dishes. It harmonises particularly well with:

- Spicy Asian dishes: curries, dishes with ginger or lemongrass

- Grilled chicken or pork: with herbs such as rosemary and thyme

- Soft cheese: goat's cheese, camembert

- Smoked fish: trout, salmon

Viognier is ideal with dishes that contain both spicy and fruity elements and complements dishes with a slightly exotic flavour beautifully. Viognier is the perfect wine for exotic and spicy dishes that can stand up to intense flavours. In South Africa, Viognier is often served with spicy Cape Malay dishes such as bobotie, as its fruitiness balances out the spiciness of such dishes. Viognier is also increasingly recognised in Portugal, particularly in the Alentejo region, where it is vinified as a single variety or blended and often served with fish dishes or spicy Mediterranean dishes. Viognier is also a great accompaniment to rich pasta dishes with creamy sauces or smoked meats. It is an excellent accompaniment to dishes with a certain sweetness or spiciness, making it an ideal wine for fusion cuisine or fine dining.

General information

Viognier has developed from an almost forgotten grape variety into a star of the international wine world. In South Africa, especially in regions such as Stellenbosch and Paarl, Viognier has found its place and is increasingly grown as a single variety to show its aromatic diversity. The cool morning mists and hot days in these regions help Viognier to develop its full potential. Viognier is also enjoying growing popularity in Portugal, particularly in the Alentejo. There, the hot, dry summers are used to fully ripen the grape variety, resulting in intense, aromatic wines. Viognier wines from both countries are characterised by a rich fruitiness, a silky texture and moderate acidity, making them ideal accompaniments to food. Viognier is a demanding grape that requires a lot of attention during cultivation, but the effort is worth it: the wines are incredibly complex and aromatic, and they offer exceptional drinking pleasure both as young, fresh wines and after some ageing.