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Viognier is not as well known as other white wine varieties and if you haven’t tried it, give it a go. It’s versatile, goes well with a range of food particularly spicy food, and is full of intense flavour with a distinctive fruit and floral character.

Its origins are in the Rhone Valley in France. Some eight hectares of viognier grapes were first grown in Condrieu in Northern Rhone in 1965. In Australia, Yalumba pioneered the first commercial viognier plantings in the Barossa Valley in 1980. Viognier is noted for being difficult to grow with a low yield but it is gaining in popularity.

Typical flavours are stone fruits, particularly apricots, with mango, melon and pineapple. Floral aromas include orange blossom, acacia and honey.

The colour is typically a deep, golden hue and the flavours are full and intense. Viognier is a dry style wine even though the colour and aromas suggest something sweeter.

Viognier is particularly good with spicy foods such as Thai or Indian. It also goes well with strong or salty cheese, strong flavoured fish dishes and fresh fruit.

Top Pick

Tollana Viognier 2005 - A really good viognier for $14.95, reduced from $19.95.