Wine Tasting Note: Domaine Virginie La Grange Viognier, 2003, Vin de Pays, France  Add/Read Comments

Domaine Virginie, since 1999, part of the Castel Frères group who are the ultimate owners of Oddbins and Nicolas - whose wines can often be found in both these high street chains. But the La Grange is primarily for independents such as The Flying Corkscrew. (talking of which, I was a little disappointed in the range of Viognier wines available at the store during a recent visit - basically just this one!)

Wine Tasting Note: Domaine Virginie La Grange Viognier, 2003, Vin de Pays, France
From The Flying Corkscrew for £7.
One of those elusive aromas that seems to change each time you plonk your nose in the glass. There's a hint of spice, some flowers... A mineral edge on the palate which is quite rich, textured with a lime acidic finish. An excellent length. Alcohol 14.5%.

Normally I would decry the use of new oak fermentation on an aromatic grape like Viognier. But the combination of some bottle age with the oak has resulted in a complexity and depth you seldom discover in a Viognier. The aromatics are different from a young, fresh, unoaked wine so for interest alone this scores highly.

This was paired with Red Peppers with Cumin-Scented Halloumi Cubes; the cumin the linking flavour picking out the spice edge in the wine while the high acidity cut though the richness of the cheese.
Scribblings Rating - 90/100