Grape variety

Viognier

维欧尼wéi'ōuní

The perfumed Rhône white, blooming by the sea in Shandong and in the Ningxia desert

Type: Grape variety
Colour: white
Family: Other whites
Origin: France: northern Rhône Valley
Main regions: Ningxia, Shandong
Literal meaning: A phonetic rendering of 'Viognier'

Taste profile

Body
LightFull
Body: 4 out of 5
Tannin
LowHigh
Tannin: 1 out of 5
Acidity
LowHigh
Acidity: 2 out of 5
Fruit
SubtleIntense
Fruit: 4 out of 5

Aromas

apricot
peach
honeysuckle
orange blossom
Apricot and peach
honeysuckle and orange blossom.

Sweetness · dry

Viognier is the perfumed white grape of Condrieu, in the northern Rhône. In China it is planted in small quantities, but it has quickly shown its potential: wines from Shandong's coast and from Ningxia have won medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards year after year.

A perfumed white

Viognier is famous for its aromas: apricot, peach and white flowers, with a round, rich texture and gentle acidity. Its home is Condrieu, in the northern Rhône, where it once came close to disappearing.

By the sea in Shandong

In Weihai, on the tip of the Shandong peninsula, Taila Winery has made Viognier one of its specialities. Its wines have won medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards in several vintages.

In the Ningxia desert

On the Helan Mountain East foothills, Chateau Mihope and Domaine Charme make Viognier that has also won medals, including Silver, at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Ningxia's sunshine ripens it fully, while cold nights keep it fresh.

What to expect

Apricot, peach and white flowers, a round, slightly oily texture and a dry, fragrant finish.

History in China

Viognier is one of the newer arrivals in Chinese vineyards, planted by wineries looking for aromatic white wines. In the last decade, producers in Shandong and Ningxia have shown that it can make some of China's most expressive whites.

Growing

Viognier needs warmth to develop its aromas but loses freshness if picked too late. Ningxia's dry, sunny climate and the maritime influence of the Shandong coast both suit it, in different styles: richer in Ningxia, fresher by the sea.