Robert Bell's

Wines of Canada

Since 1992

Featured Wine

Viognier

Viognier (pronounced vee-own-yay) is a white wine grape . When grown in the right conditions, Viognier produces highly aromatic, complex, powerful wines of the finest quality. The grape produce full-bodied white wines of depth and profound flavor. It’s a unique grape variety in that it’s surprisingly aromatic and perfumy despite being a traditionally dry wine. Viognier wines can be difficult to craft since there is only a brief window when they can be harvested to acquire to best aromas and flavors. If not allowed to ripen fully, the grapes can have low acidity. When overripe, their distinctive floral aromas disappear.

The Viognier characteristics emphasize the richness of the stone fruit flavors and the honey texture of the wine. Viognier is intensely aromatic, showing herbal and floral fragrances on the nose. On the palate, wine enthusiasts should taste apricot and peach as well as steel elements. Viognier can oak-age too, and if it does, its herbal profile is softened and smoothened by finely layered honey and creamy notes. Perfect for sipping on a spring evening or even poolside as you lie under the hot summer sun.

The grape originated in Northern Rhône region of France. It is the only permitted grape for the French wine Condrieu in the Rhone valley.

The grape has spread acrosss the ocean to California and the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. In the OKanagan the winemakers are producing some world class Viognier wines. Rougly the grape accounts for about 25% of all grapes grown in BC

The use of Viognier in the United Sates and Canada is dramatically rising. Viognier wines are well known for their floral aromas, due to terpenes , which are also found in Muscat and Riesling wines. There are also many other powerful flower and fruit aromas which can be perceived in these wines depending on where they were grown, the weather conditions and how old the vines were

The Okanagan Valley offers many excellent growing areas for Viognier, which needs to fully ripen in order for its tropical fruit and rich characters to shine. Many plots in the Southern parts of the valley offer the ideal conditions.

One of the really good producers of Viognier wine is The Van Westen Vineyards. They have been involved in farming the Naramata Bench for the last fifty years. Robert Van West is the owner and winemaker. Viognier 2022 award Double Platinum at the Great Northwestern Awards. Just one of many awards won.

Hester Creek Estate Winery, located in Oliver, BC won top honours at the All Canadians, double gold for their 2024 Viognier. Mark Hopley is the winemaker.

Bordertown Vineyards &Estate Winery. Osoyoos, BC won gold for their 2024 Viognier

Ruby Blues, Naramata Bench Commune Viognier 2022 is a very good wine

Tightrope 2023 Fleet Road -ViognierThe way a Viognier should be, totally refreshing and smooth witha nice finish.favours of Honeysuckle,necture, tangerine, nutmeg combine to almost purefection 95

Bella Terra Vineyards Ontario Their silver medal wine is stated to offers ripe and creamy textures that effortlessly intertwine with a vibrant freshness.

Wending Homes Ontario Viognier from their Rick Smith’s vineyard in Niagara Lakeshore also a medal winner.

Some good produces of Viognier are Road 13,La Frenz, Serendipity Winery, Saxon Wines, Quinta Ferreira, Black Hills, and Moon Cursor.

In Nova Scotia Planters Ridge Winery in Port Williams was the first in the province to successfully cultivate Viognier in 2018

Winemakers in the Rhône Valley and elsewhere often blend a small percentage of Viognier into their red Syrah wines. Fermenting the two grape varieties together helps the Syrah set a deep red color, counter-intuitively, and adds light floral notes.

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