Results of the 2017 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (The Nationals)

Viognier

Intro by David Lawrason

Like most of the white wine categories, B.C. dominates with this very aromatic Mediterranean-based variety. It loves to suck up heat and ripen with exotic abandon. The question is always around the alcohol-acid balance. If you love lushness and warmth the south Okanagan is making some fine examples. But it can also translate into lighter, more acid-driven wines that can also be enjoyable. I have had fine examples of the latter from the Okanagan’s Naramata Bench, and occasionally from Niagara. It’s a buyer’s wine. Find your style by example and enjoy.

Adamo 2016 Viognier Bock Vineyard, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Hillside 2016 Reserve Viognier, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Liquidity 2016 Viognier, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia
Pentâge 2015 Viognier, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2016 Shannon Pacific Viognier, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Red Rooster 2016 Rare Bird Series Viognier, British Columbia
Van Westen 2015 Viognier, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Indigenous World 2016 Viognier, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Sandhill 2016 Small Lots Viognier Osprey Ridge Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tightrope 2016 Viognier, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Time Estate Winery 2016 Viognier, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia