Viognier: The Alternative Wine for Chardonnay and Shiraz Lovers
Viognier is a great alternative to Chardonnay, plus it blends perfectly with Shiraz.
Did you know that 80% of Australian vineyards are dominated by just six grape varieties? Can you guess the six grape varieties? If you check your wine rack, you probably have all six of them in there. They are:
- Chardonnay
- Shiraz
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
However, with eyes on the future of the Australian wine industry, and issues such as climate change, increasing water prices, longer droughts, and temperature fluctuations, forward thinking wineries are looking to adapt. Adapting might mean planting different grape varieties that can tolerate drought, consume less water and handle extreme temperatures.
In this series we’ll look at some of the alternative white and red grape varieties being planted and becoming more popular in Australia. We’ll also look at the wineries growing these alternative grapes, and recommend wines to try.
We all have favourite wine varieties we gravitate to – but if you dare to try something new, you might be surprised what you find.
Viognier
While some may consider Viognier a well-known grape variety, Viognier is technically classified as an ‘alternative’ wine variety. Approximately 1,400 hectares of Viognier (just under 9% of the country’s total vineyard area) have been planted in Australia by just over 500 growers – so there is quite a lot to choose from.
How would you describe it?
- Vividly coloured
- Highly aromatic
- Strongly flavoured
- Rich
- Voluptuous
- Fruit pastilles
- Strong stone fruit flavours
- Mix of apricot, honey, orange blossom and orange peel, peach aroma
Would I like it?
If you’re a Chardonnay drinker looking for a change, but don’t like the fruity notes of a Sauvignon Blanc, then Viognier could be a new wine for you to try.
Where is it predominately grown?
Viognier grapes are generally grown in cool to temperate regions in Australia. According to James Halliday, some of the most interesting Viognier wines come from the Goulburn Valley, the Central Victorian High Country and various parts of the Adelaide Hills including the Eden Valley.
I’m interested – what should I try?
Yalumba Wines is a member of the First Families of Wine, an initiative created by 12 family-owned Australian wineries and they were the first winery in Australia to plant Viognier grapes for commercial use back in 1980. They started with 1.2 hectares of Viognier grapes, and today offer a number of different Viognier wines at different price points:
- Around $10: Yalumba Y Series Viognier. The 2015 vintage won a bronze medal in the 2016 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show
- Around $20: Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier. The 2015 vintage won a gold medal in the 2016 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show
- Around $40: Yalumba The Virgilius Viognier. The Virgilius Viognier, one of Yalumba’s premium wines, is the most iconic, sourced from the Eden Valley Viognier vineyards. If you want to spend the money, you’ll find a wine described by Max Allen as a “magnificent expression of both the grapes, and the area where they are grown”.
Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2021
Save 33%93 points$14.25$9.50 eachin any 6BargainYalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier 2020
Save 33%89 points$14.25$9.50 eachin any 6BargainYalumba Eden Valley Viognier 2021
$25.70 eachin cases of 6 for $154Price consistently lowYalumba SC Eden Valley Viognier 2021
96 points$26.60 eachin any 6Price fluctuates, now highYalumba Organic Viognier 2021
$18.70 eachin cases of 12 for $224Price consistently lowYalumba Eden Valley The Virgilius Viognier 2017
$47.50 eachin cases of 6 for $285Price consistently low
This is just a small fraction of the price data available at Midday Somewhere. Join Midday Somewhere for free and you’ll get price data for even more wines, spirits and beers.
Other drink-worthy Viogniers:
The following wines have also been awarded medals in the 2016 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show:
- Around $20: 2016 Tahbilk Viognier (Silver Medal)
- Around $20: 2015 Ballandean Estate Viognier (Silver Medal)
- Around $40: 2016 Hentley Farm Viognier (Bronze Medal)
Mixing white grapes with red: Shiraz Viognier
We’re predominately looking at grapes bottled on their own to showcase their individual properties, but sometimes a blend is so remarkable we just have to mention it. In this case, the blend is Shiraz Viognier.
In this Shiraz blend, growers add between 5-15% Viognier to the bottle. The Australian winery leading the pack with Shiraz Viognier is Clonakilla, and James Halliday considers it one of the best red wines in Australia.
Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2022
99 points$120 eachPrice consistently lowClonakilla Viognier 2020
95 points$57.00 eachin any 6Missed bargain
So, in the name of research, why not try a new wine and give Viognier a go. Let us know what you think!
Today’s best Viognier prices
Zonte's Footstep Lake Doctor Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2019
Save 33%92 points$30.00$19.99 eachin any 12New offer at low priceYalumba Y Series Viognier 2021
Save 33%93 points$14.25$9.50 eachin any 6BargainGerard Bertrand L'Indomptable de Cigalus Blanc 2022
Save 17%$28.99$24.00 eachBargainEstate Viognier 2022
Save 33%$25.00$16.67 eachin cases of 6 for $100Rare bargainYalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier 2020
Save 33%89 points$14.25$9.50 eachin any 6BargainClonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2022
99 points$120 eachPrice consistently lowPierre Jean Villa Carmina 2020
Save 31%99 points$160$110 eachBargainWine By Farr Viognier 2023
96 points$99.00 eachPrice consistently lowMAISON LES ALEXANDRINS CONDRIEU 2023
Save 10%$110$99.00 eachRare bargainTournon Mathilda Chapoutier Viognier Marsanne 2019
$17.00 eachin cases of 12 for $204New offer at low priceSoumah Hexham Viognier 2021
$36.00$34.00 eachin cases of 12 for $408New offer at low priceMargaret River Shiraz Viognier 2019
$35.00 eachPrice consistently highRutherglen Estates Renaissance Viognier Roussanne Marsanne 2018
$29.75 eachin cases of 12 for $357New offer at low priceTahbilk Estate Viognier 2021
95 points$19.75 eachin any 12Price consistently lowPeter Drayton Jump Up Creek Verdelho Viognier Vermentino 2022
$19.55 eachin cases of 12 for $235Price consistently lowWillunga 100 McLaren Vale Shiraz Viognier 2018
92 points$18.49 eachin any 12Price consistently lowChurchview St Johns Viognier 2020
$31.50$29.75 eachin cases of 12 for $357New offer at low priced'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2017
Save 17%88 points$29.99$25.00 eachBargainConcrete & Clay Viognier 2020
$21.25 eachin cases of 12 for $255Price consistently lowPierre Jean Villa Fongeant 2020
99 points$275 eachPrice consistently low
