Fast Facts:
- 2022 N.D.P. Viognier, France ($6.99 @ Trader Joes, California)
Made with grapes coming from vineyards in Southern France, where much of this grape is still grown, this is a surprisingly good renditon of Viognier. For most wine drinkers, the wine (pronounced Vee-Un-YAY) is a bit of a head scratcher. That is because and despite of large gains in the number of acres – and hectares! – planted, the grape remains more than a bit obscure. Which is too bad, it is a really good wine pairing with hard to pair cuisines like Asian and the culinary onslaught which is the Thanksgiving feed in the U.S.
Tasting Notes:
Viognier is known for its seductive aromas. (Heck, it is often co-fermented with the red Syrah grape just for its bouquet!) This version – I’m still gobsmacked by its QPR crushing $6.99 price point – actually has a bit of a closed nose with aromas of green melon, spiced apple, stone fruit, baking spice and fig. The wine has medium alcohol, body, and acid. It shows concentrated flavors of baking spices, apricots, and green tree fruit. Nice finish with notes of gingerbread and tropical fruits. Great wine to have with appetizers before dinner or just cold on a warm autumn day. ABV = 13%.
Need More Wine Picks from Trader Joe’s – or Costco?
If your search for this wine lands you in Trader Joe’s, take along our handy Lucky 13 list of TJ’s wine here.
And if your wine shopping excursions land you in Costco, prepare by grazing our most recent reviews of Costco wines here in our Lucky 13 list.
Cheers!
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