Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

Welcome to the newest installment of the Almost-Famous, Unpretentious, and Semi-Precious (albeit Non-Ferrous) Carpe Vinum Newsletter and Tasting Announcement! For this special installment of the tasting, we’re wandering into delicious territory. And a bit of oddball territory as well. It’s a tasting of all Viogniers! “How is that possible?” you may ask, “Have you gone mad?” To which I deftly reply “Mmmmaybe.” As far as I know we’re the only place in-town that features tastings of all Viognier. And the reasoning is simple: It’s really good stuff, and deserves our undivided attention. Or attention divided in 7 ways. To 7 different wines. . .7 different Viogniers. And so. . .

Viognier! (VEE-own-YAY). If you have not experienced this grape or, more specifically, any of the wines made with the grape, here’s your chance. Viognier is a grape with its origins in the Rhone Valley of France where it is the exclusive grape of the Condrieu region. It’s also blended with Syrah in the Cote Rotie district. Around the 1960s, the Viognier grape was almost extinct, having been neglected and forgotten after phylloxera decimated many vineyards and a couple of world wars found them reduced to about 30 acres. But thanks to the wine boom, the plantings have increased and spread worldwide.

The character of Viognier is a full-bodied white wine, usually with a very floral and tropical aromas and flavors. Although full-bodied and fruity, it is vinified in a dry style that finishes with low acidity. Many of the characteristics are similar to Chardonnay, yet considering Viognier is a relative newcomer to the worldwide wine scene, I don’t think anyone has figured out how to ruin it in the same way so much Chardonnay is ruined. I try to keep a close eye on all the Viogniers I can find because there are relatively few, which makes it easier to track down the really good ones. This probably still tops my list of favorite white wines.

Also, to make things even more interesting, it’s yet another triumphant return of the Super-Special-Delicious-Yet-Odd-Dessert-Pour! Odd? Yes, odd. It’s a Viognier Port! Whoever heard of such a thing? The folks at the Trentadue winery thought of such a thing. And such a thing it is! I’ve had it before, and it’s definitely a unique experience. Well, yes. . it’s good too! Unique experiences can be GOOD experiences too. Trust me on that one.

So Friday, June 16th, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

Viognier!!!
Hugues de Beauvignac 2004 Viognier, Vin de Pays d’Oc, France
Castle Rock 2005 Viognier, Lake County, California
Willow Crest 2004 Yakima, Washington
Cougar Crest 2004 Viognier, Walla Walla Valley, Washington
Fairview 2005 Viognier, Paarl, South Africa

Yay for Viognier!!!
Abacela 2005 Viognier, Umpqua Valley, Oregon
Cristom 2004 Viognier, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Super-Special-Delicious-Yet-Odd-Dessert-Pour!
Trentadue 2000 Viognier Port, Sonoma County, California

A stellar deal at $10 for the First 5, $6 for the Extra 2 Premium Pours, $5 for the Dessert Pour.
Hope to see you here!
Seize the Wine!

Next Friday tasting is New Zealand!

M