{"title":"Viognier","description":"\u003cp\u003eViognier is best known through Condrieu, a small, steep-sited appellation in the northern Rhone where the grape reaches its most perfumed, apricot-and-blossom expression. Its naturally low acidity and thick skins make it a trickier variety to get right than most whites, prone to flabbiness if picked too ripe, which is part of why it remains less widely planted than other aromatic whites. New Zealand producers in Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa have taken up the challenge with good results, often adding texture through partial barrel fermentation. For the grape's spiritual home, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rhone-valley-wine\"\u003eRhone Valley Wine\u003c\/a\u003e covers the wider region, and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hawkes-bay-wine\"\u003eHawke's Bay Wine\u003c\/a\u003e is worth a look for New Zealand's take.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"chateau-fontareche-les-mijanelles-viognier","title":"Chateau Fontareche \"Les Mijanelles\" Viognier 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChâteau Fontarèche \"Les Mijanelles\" Viognier\u003c\/strong\u003e is a fragrant, unoaked white from the Languedoc, offering Viognier's generous texture without becoming heavy or overly rich. Made entirely from fruit grown at Château Fontarèche near Canet d'Aude, the 2025 vintage balances ripe southern character with a bright, refreshing finish. Expressive enough to enjoy on its own, it is also a natural match for shellfish, grilled fish, creamy chicken dishes or gently spiced Thai food.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePale gold in colour, with aromas of lychee, fresh apricot and delicate white flowers. The palate is full yet refined, showing white-fleshed fruit, a lightly rounded sweetness and fresh acidity. A bright, airy finish keeps the wine lively and refreshing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sante Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182025531759,"sku":"100535","price":137.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/ChateauFontarecheLesMijanellesViognier.jpg?v=1785126753"},{"product_id":"delas-viognier-vin-de-pays","title":"Delas Viognier Vin de Pays 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDelas Viognier Vin de Pays\u003c\/strong\u003e brings a generous splash of southern French sunshine, with ripe apricot, peach, exotic fruit and preserved citrus aromas leading into a smooth, rounded palate. There is plenty of Viognier's characteristic richness here, balanced by enough freshness to keep each glass lively rather than heavy. Made by Rhône specialist Delas from fruit grown near the Pont du Gard, it is an appealing choice for anyone after a fragrant, full-flavoured white without the weight of oak. Try it with steamed fish and lemon butter, asparagus, artichokes or a relaxed antipasto platter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe wine is made from 100% Viognier grown on the slopes of the Pont du Gard, where the vines are planted in limestone-clay soils. Grapes are generally harvested at night to take advantage of cooler temperatures, then destemmed and given low-temperature maceration with skin contact before pressing and fermentation. Malolactic fermentation is avoided to preserve freshness, balance and delicacy, while maturation takes place in stainless steel tanks. Delas describes a bright golden wine with apricot, peach, exotic fruit and preserved citrus flavours, a smooth, fresh palate and hints of dried fruit on the finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSam Kim, Wine Orbit, 91 Points and 4.5 Stars (2023)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Charming and attractively fruited, the bouquet shows rockmelon, apricot, rich floral and subtle spice aromas, followed by a beautifully rounded palate offering fleshy texture and fine acidity, finishing silky and succulent. At its best: now to 2027.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EuroVintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182032281967,"sku":"100739","price":137.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/DelasViognierVindePays2023.jpg?v=1783705724"},{"product_id":"yalumba-y-series-viognier","title":"Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYalumba Y Series Viognier\u003c\/strong\u003e is a generous white for drinkers who like their wines aromatic, textural and not short on personality. Apricot, mango, honeysuckle and fresh ginger meet a creamy, silky palate, with enough freshness to stop things becoming broad or heavy. Yalumba has been working with Viognier since planting its first commercial vines in Eden Valley in 1980, giving it a fair head start on most Australian producers. A handy change of direction for anyone who usually reaches automatically for Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSourced from cool and warm-climate vineyards across South Australia, the grapes are gently pressed before being wild fermented in stainless steel using naturally occurring vineyard yeasts. The wine then spends three months on its lees, building richness and a creamy texture without any oak. Orange blossom, honeysuckle and ginger lead into fresh apricot, white tea, dried fig and fennel, finishing silky and textural. Vegan friendly.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSam Kim, Wine Orbit, 93\/100\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Silky-smooth and fleshy, beautifully framed by finely pitched acidity, finishing long and succulent.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Suckling, 90\/100\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“This has fragrant honeysuckle and herb undertones to the apricot and grapefruit aromas.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGabrielle Poy, The Real Review, 88\/100 \u0026amp; Top Value\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“This value version from Yalumba is a winner... This is a drink-now, loud and proud viognier.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Negociants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53214577787247,"sku":"100974","price":107.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/YalumbaYSeriesViognier2023.jpg?v=1784600966"}],"url":"https:\/\/stolencellar.co.nz\/collections\/viognier.oembed","provider":"Stolen Cellar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}