[Tasted during WSET Diploma – Unit 3 – Week 6: Rhône]

I’ve gone on and on about how I’ve never had a Condrieu. Huzzah!

If old world Sauvignon Blanc reminds me of a violin solo with taut and delicate strings, old world Viognier reminds me of the cello’s smooth purr. Finesse and restrained charm is still there, but if lower pitches strain your ears less, then lower acid does exactly the same for your mouth. California and Australia also enthuse over the grape, but that’s where they can get less Bach and more Meghan Trainor.

Condrieu is the classic area for Viognier in France, where the oily wines are balanced with finesse and more structure than their new world equivalents.… read more