Australian Botrytised Viognier

Viognier is a grape associated with Northern Rhone, where it produces Condrieu and where it can also be mixed with Syrah in Cote-Rotie. Although Viognier has the colour and the aroma to suggest sweetness, most of the production is dry. However, the fruity aromas can give an illusion of sweet when the measured residual sugar is low. Sweet Viognier wines can be made, traditionally using the "a l'assiette" method, where a plate is held under the vine which is shaken to make overripe grapes fall onto it. The grape is not often affected by noble rot in the Rhone, but we have here an example of botrytised Viognier from Australia, made by Yalumba which is the largest producer of wine from this variety.