Cass Winery Viognier 2020

Winery Price $28

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Of all the white wines I drink, my favorite above all is Viognier. I know, that’s saying a lot, considering the number of wines I get to taste and drink. And this isn’t hyperbole… I’ve said this for almost two decades. Simply, there is no other grape I find so enjoyable.

So what is the allure? What is Viognier like? Imagine every aromatic fruit and flower you can… take a whiff… ahhh… honeysuckle, jasmine, apricots, peaches… and more! Then, the tightrope walk, as great Viognier balances this richness of aroma and flavor with finesse and subtlety. There’s a remarkable richness and creaminess to the wine, yet it never comes across as heavy or unctuous. And, despite the incredibly fruity aromas, the wine is bone dry. Simply, there is nothing else in the world like it!

But Viognier is tricky and requires some real attention. For starters, the winery pays close attention to the harvesting date, bringing the grapes in what others may consider "early." Their aim is to preserve acidity and freshness, while capturing the exotic and flamboyant aromas of Viognier, without veering into overblown. Hand-picked in the early morning, the cold grapes were pressed within moments after coming off the vine. Whew! That is tricky! In the same line of reasoning, malolactic fermentation is blocked - that's the process that results in a "buttery" flavor and texture in Chardonnay. By blocking it, you get a vibrant, clean and downright delicious expression of the grape! Lastly the wine is fermented and aged in tank, not oak, again with the aim of preserving aromatics and keeping the wine lively and vibrant.

Classic honeysuckle aromas give way to bright peach, pear and mineral notes. There's a lovely creaminess to the wine that balances all of the brightness. The exotic notes of lychee, honeysuckle, and white peaches are all there, so you can pair with more flavorful foods - think chicken with mango salsa, ceviche, etc. But, as I said, everything is kept in check so perfectly, you can go simpler foods as well - I enjoyed with a simple roasted chicken.  Cheese? Sure! Passes hors d'ouevres? Absolutely! This is an easy to love wine that will go with a huge variety of foods. Oh my.. you know what would absolutely kill it? Chicken tagine with apricots, figs and olives... click the pic for a recipe. 


Or reply. The wine will be available Thursday in Chapel Hill. Friday, as ordered, in Hillsborough.