Virtually unknown until the Rhône wines' rise to fame in the early 1990s, Viognier became very popular as winemakers tried to emulate the qualities of the northern Rhône's superb Condrieu. Read more

Virtually unknown until the Rhône wines' rise to fame in the early 1990s, Viognier became very popular as winemakers tried to emulate the qualities of the northern Rhône's superb Condrieu. Plantings have now spread to southern France and to small pockets in the New World. At its best when very ripe, its grapes tend to produce wine high in alcohol with a dazzling scent of apricot, peach and blossom. Not for long-ageing, these wines are best drunk fairly young.