Vee Is For Viognier, And Value.

Firstly, let’s get the pronunciation of the fashionable Viognier grape right. It’s pronounced “vee-own-yay.” It is the only grape allowed in the Rhône Valley’s most revered appellation white, Condrieu. This includes the pinnacle, and very expensive estate white, Château Grillet. But Viognier is grown extensively in Southern France along the Mediterranean coast. And the region’s pre-eminent producer is Gérard Bertrand. He’s known for producing extensive quantities of single varietals using the Languedoc appellation. This results in wines that allow consumers to discover outstanding wines at affordable prices.

The LCBO’s “Wine of the Month” white wine selection for the month of June is an outstanding value white, Gérard Bertrand Réserve Spéciale Viognier. $14.95, what a deal!  Dry, medium-bodied and well-balanced with an aroma of peaches, apricots and white flowers, it also ticks off all the boxes Chardonnay or Pinot Gris drinkers might consider when looking for an alternative, characterful non-oaked white.   

The ultimate patio sipper for the summer season, try it with a spicy cold chicken salad served on a bed of pasta tossed with basil-based pesto.