Reasonably priced Viognier is difficult to find. One of the better “budget” Viogniers I have encountered is the Yalumba Y Series Viognier found in the general list of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) which sells for $15.40. And more often than not it is sold out. How does Yalumba’s 2021 organic Viognier fare?
Aroma: Peach, apricot, and mango with rose petals.
Palate: You’ll be greeted by peach and mango with a slightly abrasive edge quite similar to many Encruzados from the Dão region in Portugal. Moderate finish. It is no tutti frutti so don’t be spooked when you hear peach and mango!
Food Pairing: A few years ago as a speaker at a wine event in Lake Erie North Shore one of the foods served was a wood burning oven pizza topped with amongst other things fresh just picked peaches. Boy the Gewurztraminer with it was a match made in heaven. This would do just as well assuming you can find a wood burning oven and a pizza maker audacious enough to top pizza with peaches! Also grilled chicken with peach and avocado salsa is mucho bueno!
Cellarbility: I suggest consuming in 2023.
Personality: If you like those dry acidic wines with the personality of a fruit fly and I won’t rat them out by name as after all they are my bothers and sisters well this wine is not for you. While I am food friendly I can be consumed solo. As summer is approaching a wonderful pre barbeque wine!
RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 91/100. Sam Kim 94.
Price: $16.95 (Ontario).
(Yalumba 2021 Organic Viognier, South Australia, Yalumba, Angaston, Australia, 750 mL, 13.5%, LCBO #288217).
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