Viognier is a wonderful grape with a long history- thought to have been brought to France by the Romans; its ancestral home is in the Rhone Valley, where it is the only grape permitted in the making of the incredible white wines of Condrieu. It is a difficult grape to grow- prone to powdery mildew because of its thin skin (which also contains a compound that can make Viognier’s mouthfeel very oily and fat)- but when gotten right it can make wines of wonderful finesse. Our Full Fare Viognier is from the celebrated Margaret River in W.A., and the cooler climate of this region enhances Viognier’s lush floral and citrus notes without sending the oiliness and alcohol skyrocketing. It is bright gold with green edges, and shows honey, dried apricots and orange blossom on the nose. It is also very grapey! The dried apricots continue into the palate and it is fresh with very citrussy acid. It is lovely and ripe, with a hint of viscosity, and a long honeyed finish.
