Viognier: All the key information about the grape variety
Introduction: Viognier AOC Valais white wines
The Viognier white wine is, of course, just one of many excellent Valais white wines we offer in our assortment. In our online shop, you will also find a wide range of red wines, rosé wines, sparkling wines, and digestifs.
If you are looking for a gift, we recommend exploring our gift service, which includes various tasting boxes or a gift voucher, allowing the recipient to choose freely from our online shop.
Key facts at a glance
- Viognier is the most important grape variety for white Rhône wines. Viognier wines are characterized by bold, often straw-yellow colors and a high alcohol content.
- The Viognier grape thrives best in temperate climates. It is a variety rich in aromatics and sugar but low in acidity. This results in full-bodied, smooth wines with intense aromas. The hallmark of these wines is their distinctive fragrance of apricot, peach, and floral notes, occasionally with hints of ginger. In Valais, the Viognier is still a newcomer, offering a unique and extravagant character.
Origins, history & significance of the Viognier grape
In early 2004, researchers from the Agricultural Institute of CNR near Turin, Italy, discovered through microbiological DNA analyses that 30 of the 32 genetic indicators in the Freisa and Viognier grape varieties are identical. This places Viognier in esteemed company, as the world-famous Nebbiolo grape is also believed to descend from Freisa.
Viognier originated in France, with almost all vineyards located along the northern Rhône in the appellations of Château-Grillet, Condrieu, and Côte Rôtie. These wines became highly sought after in the 1990s, leading to a renaissance of the Viognier grape.
Today, the variety is world-renowned, and the vineyard area dedicated to cultivating this aromatic white wine continues to expand. Viognier’s popularity has risen significantly in regions such as Ardèche, Languedoc-Roussillon, California, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Chile, and Switzerland.
This was not always the case. After the phylloxera crisis at the end of the 19th century, many of the steep, hard-to-cultivate slopes were abandoned. By 1968, only 14 hectares of vineyards were planted with Viognier.
Despite its growth, Viognier remains a niche product globally. In 2016, over 16,000 hectares of Viognier were cultivated worldwide, compared to nearly 290,000 hectares for Cabernet Sauvignon.
Characteristics of the Viognier grape: growth, ripeness, and yield
Viognier ripens approximately 15 to 20 days after Chasselas and is therefore considered an early-ripening variety in international comparisons. While the variety is susceptible to powdery mildew, it is resistant to shatter and tolerates summer drought well.
Although yields are generally low, they are often still too high, requiring targeted thinning of the grapes to achieve high-quality wines. Quality-focused winemakers in the Rhône limit yields to 30 hectoliters per hectare to fully develop the potential of this variety.
Flavor profile of Viognier: High alcohol, intense aromas, and low acidity
Viognier is a rich, expressively aromatic wine with low acidity. Its primary aroma is dominated by one fruit: apricot, apricot, apricot.
Additional primary aromas often include nectarine, peach, and floral notes of violet, lily of the valley, and citrus fruits. Secondary aromas complete the bouquet with hints of vanilla, caramel, and toast.
Viognier and food: The best pairings
Wines made from the Viognier grape variety pair excellently with fish dishes. A glass of Viognier with its unmistakable character is a perfect match for salmon with a creamy dill sauce.
Due to its texture, Viognier also pairs wonderfully with lobster, langoustines, and dishes featuring light, creamy sauces.
Viognier in blends and cuvées: The perfect complement
Amazingly, in Côte Rôtie—a region with impressive slopes located about 30 km south of Lyon—Syrah wines are so structured and concentrated that they are blended with white Viognier grapes.
This unusual process adds additional complexity and a fascinating aromatic diversity to the wines.
Viognier and its synonyms
Viognier is known worldwide under fourteen other names, including Galopine, Petit Viognier, Viogne, Viognier Blanc, Viognier Jaune, and Vionnier Vert.
Our Viognier AOC Valais recommendation
Viognier Les Pyramides AOC VS
Interesting facts about Viognier wines
What pairs well with Viognier?
Viognier stands out for its gentle acidity, full body, and noticeable alcohol content. This variety pairs particularly well with premium fish, lobster, langoustines, and dishes with creamy sauces, making it a popular choice in haute cuisine.
What type of grape is Viognier?
Viognier was long primarily found in the French Rhône Valley, but it has since become a globally sought-after grape variety. Thanks to its intense aromas and robust structure, it is now a prized white wine in fine dining.
Where does Viognier grow?
In Greece and Italy, Viognier vineyards cover a combined area of 1,827 hectares. It is also cultivated in Argentina, Australia, Chile, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa, with vineyard areas in the hundreds of hectares.
Worldwide, over 16,000 hectares were planted with Viognier in 2016, and this number continues to rise. Viognier is even grown in Germany, and in Switzerland, it has found its natural second home in the Rhône Valley of Valais.