Posted by Andy C. | Posted in Recipe | Posted on 22-10-2005
Tags: alcohol, best, dinners, mead, wine
Viognier is a white grape very common and old used to be fairly common. Now is a rare white grape and wine that is usually quite expensive (but also very good!).
This wine grape probably originated centuries ago in Damatia. Roman history says it was brought to history in 281 AD by Probo Empower. Many people believe that is the name of the city of Vienne which was a military outpost for the Romans. It also sounds like the Roman phrase that means "the road to hell."
This could allude to the intoxicating effects of drinking wine or may be a reference to the fact that this grape is very difficult to grow. In fact, due to the lack of assistance to the vineyards during the Second World War Voignier grape vine almost became extinct, along with other varieties such as Tocai ( title = "http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Tocai/" target = "_blank"> target = "_blank" href = "http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Tocai/ "> http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Tocai/).
This grape is now grown only restricted to the area of Northern Rhone, which grows mostly grapes red wine. There is a low annual production of only 1900 liters of wine. This is because the income is vulnerable to dust. The time of collection of the grapes must be very necessary. When it took too late in the season of wine grapes can produce a thick oil, with no pleasant aroma. It is a demanding grape, which prefers a Mediterranean climate.
Another factor affecting the quality of wine is the age of the plant grapes. The vines do not produce good wine until they are at least fifteen years old. In the area of the Rhone of France, there are strains that are more than seventy years of age. Ideally, this grape produces a wine that is thirteen percent alcohol. The best wine will have a yellow intense. It prefers warm, long growing season.
Although not all climates that have successfully migrated to California and virginal in the United States. Monticello Virginia wine growing region is perfect for growing this variety. The grape is also grown in South Africa, New Zealand and Japan.
In France, Viognier is grown as a single grape variety on the west bank of the river Rhone. This particular grape is also frequently a mixture with other wine varietals such as Roussanne (title = "http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Roussanne/" target = "_blank"> href = "http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Roussanne/"> http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Roussanne/), Grenache, Rolle and Marsanne. To make wine Beaujolais can contain up to twenty percent of Viognier instead of five percent. One reason that Viogniers mixtures are added to wine is because it helps stabilize red pigments in the wines for the wine remains red.
Plantings of these vines have grown in North America since the eighties. The coast of California produces more than a thousand acres of this grape. Can also be found in Colorado, New York, Washington and Virginia as well as the Niagara region and the province of British Columbia in Canada. It is also grown as one of the varieties grape in Argentina, Chile.
This grape is big in Australia and add to the many Shiraz blends. Famous growing the Viognier (title = "http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Viognier/" target = "_blank"> target = "_blank" href = "http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Viognier/"> http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Viognier/) plantings include Murray River, Rutherglen, Nagambie Lakes Cangerrie and Tenter.
The Viognier is prized because it is a floral wine. Should be consumed young, as not aging well. It becomes smell in flat and if their age. Do not drink only Viognier varieties that are more than three years old. This wine is very dry, but predominantly Dessert wines are also are sometimes created by it.
This is a great wine is made with oil if the juice from the skins so some of this wine producers make sure that the skins are removed. To increase its alkalinity is sometimes moved using a process called batonnage. This highly perfumed wine pairs with spicy dishes and the Thai and Chinese. It also adapts very well with sushi and strong French cheeses.
Dessert wines are created from Viognier grapes that are collected in October or early November. The grape is fragile, what the grape vine is shaken to avoid bruising during harvest. Many wine experts say that peak came at a year old.
About the Author:
Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in international cuisines and fine wine varietals, such as Tocai and Viognier. For more great varietals, please visit
http://www.wineaccess.com/
.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - An Ancient White Wine
