Displaying items by tag: viognier harvest

2011 Muscat and Viognier Harvest

Thursday, 01 September 2011 13:42

Our parcels of Muscat and Viognier are relatively small compared to the large blocks of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc that have already been harvested at Sainte Rose. Size however, (so they say), is not important! These two varieties are small, but essential and very important components in our Coquille d’Oc white blend, providing wonderful aromatics. These aromatics complement the structure provided by the Chardonnay and balances the acidity of the Sauvignon Blanc in this unusual but hugely successful blend.

The Viognier also plays an important role in our oak-aged Pinacle Syrah, which is a Cote Rotie style red wine. We blend 5 % Viognier with the Syrah, as they do in the aforementioned Rhone appellation, for three reasons: firstly to stabilise colour, secondly to perfume the wine and thirdly to soften the chalkiness of the Syrah.