2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Vionia / Viognier / is a white grape variety from which quality wine is produced. These vines are most common on the right bank of the Rhone River in France. Recently, however, they are found in other places / Italy, Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Switzerland /, although in small quantities. The variety is also known by the names fifth vionie and gallopin.
Vionia leaves are medium in size. They are light green, rounded, pentagonal, covered with moss on the underside. They are equipped with teeth that can be both sharp and narrow. The shoots are grooved, greenish. When exposed to sunlight, they turn brown.
The bunches of this grape variety are of medium size and conical shape, winged, relatively compact. The grapes are small, rounded or elliptical, whitish or greenish, with a thick skin. The flesh is juicy, with a pleasant taste reminiscent of musk.
It is used for the preparation of dry white wines, which, however, are not positively affected by aging. Often vionie it is also used for blending with other varieties to make the resulting wine drink more fragrant.
Vionia is included in the varieties in which the grape harvest occurs in early autumn / during the last days of September /. The variety prefers moderate temperatures. It is considered to be moderately resistant to diseases and gives medium-sized crops. It needs to be pruned from time to time.
History of vionia
Vionnie is considered an old wine variety, but its origin is not entirely clear. However, it is thought to have originated in the lands of present-day Croatia. According to experts, the vines were most likely brought to the Rhone by the Romans. It is also not entirely clear where the name of the variety comes from.
One of the claims is that the Viognier is named after the settlement of Vienne, lying in the Rhone Valley. This place once served as a garrison for the Romans. According to another hypothesis, the vines are so named because of Latin words explaining the difficult cultivation of grapes.
An important period for the French variety is the twentieth century, when it was threatened with extinction. Then in his native appeal there are only about four hectares planted with these vines. However, fate clearly turned out to be favorable to him and he was saved because of a trend that emerged at that time.
At that time, wine fashion turned its attention to the rare local varieties. So suddenly arrays with vionia began to appear in many places in France and soon abroad.
California is one of the places that wants to experiment with the species, and soon it brought him worldwide popularity. California winemakers highly value the French variety and use it in both the production of varietal wines and blended grape elixirs.
The other country, which has made a significant contribution to the promotion of vionia, is Australia. There, too, the variety is used for blended and varietal wines. Mix with shiraz.
Characteristics of vionia
Viognier wines attract first with their pleasant straw color. When drunk, a strong floral-fruity aroma is felt, which is associated with acacia, peach, apricot, pineapple, vanilla, aniseed, smoke, jasmine, primrose, kiwi, pear.
The wine also contains notes of lychee, mango, orange peel, mint, honeysuckle, hay, tobacco, oil and more. The taste of the drink is sweet and just as flowery.
Grape elixirs of vionia do not have the potential for aging and therefore experts advise to consume them while they are still young and fresh.
Serving vionier
Before serving the wine is good from vionie to cool to a temperature of 8-10 degrees. It can then be served in young white wine glasses made of thin smooth glass. The drink is poured only up to half a glass.
You can serve the wine without additives, but it is still advisable to combine it with suitable foods that would help to develop its profile. According to experienced gourmets, the French grape elixir goes well with fragrant dishes seasoned with curry, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, saffron, black pepper, white pepper and wasabi.
You can choose both poultry dishes and fish and crustacean specialties. Among the appetizing additions that would go well with wine are Chicken with Apples, Curry Chicken, Fish Meatballs, Fish with Curry, Fried Oysters, Fried Squid and Spicy Mussels. Sushi with soy sauce is also a good solution. Rabbit dishes are also not to be underestimated. It is also good that they are generously flavored and flown with cream sauce.
Wines from vionie can also be served with cheese. Goat cheese or blue cheese is preferred. They can be served alone in the form of thin slices or placed in fresh salads, where they can be supplemented with raw leafy vegetables such as spinach, arugula and dock.
If you are a fan of desserts, you will surely find something to combine the drink with. You can stop at a variety of candied fruits, creams, jams, cakes, pancakes, cheesecakes, candies and pastes.
