Sweetness: Dry

Grape: Viognier

Grape info: Until relatively recently, Viognier teetered on the verge of extinction, confined to the right bank of the northern Rhône valley, where it makes the now world-famous whites of Condrieu. Renewed interest in its uniquely perfumed character rescued it from the brink, however, and today it can be found in virtually every wine producing country in the world. In the right hands, it makes full-bodied, heady wines with distinctive notes of honeysuckle, rose and gingerbread.

About: Sourced from clay-based soils on France’s Mediterranean coast that retain water and protect Viognier from hydric stress whilst providing ample sunshine to achieve ripeness. A two-day maceration at low temperatures helps extract the delicate aromatics before fermentation and a three-month lees-aging period adds complexity and weight.

Tasting note: Bright lemon in colour. Lemongrass, peach and apricot on the nose. Rich and full-bodied with floral and herbal notes and an elegant minerality.

Character: Peach, apricot, rosewater.