Viognier (pronounced “Vee-own-yay”) is a medium to full-bodied white wine that has become a favorite alternative to Chardonnay. Both are rich and fuller-bodied, but Viognier is much more expressive. Most loved for its perfumed aromas of peach, tangerine, and honeysuckle, Viognier has an exotic quality making it the perfect choice for bold white wine lovers.

Viognier originated in the Rhône region of Southern France but has found its place in many regions around the world, although it is still quite new to many wine drinkers. You are about to find a new favorite!

The grapes for the Braganini Reserve Viognier were grown in the Lake Michigan Shore AVA by esteemed growers Wally and Katie Mauer. The cool climate of southwest Michigan produces Viognier that is highly aromatic, has a pleasant acidity, and intense tropical flavors. Once harvested, winemakers chose to emphasize the juice’s freshness rather than its richness.

Winemaker Nancie Oxley explains, “Viognier naturally ripens with relatively high sugars and low acidity, so we picked it earlier to maintain the acidity and then fermented it in stainless steel. This allowed the fruit to shine.”

The result is a wine with a lot of exotic notes of peach, melon, apricot, and blossom. The highly aromatic and fruit forward nature of Viognier allows it to pair well with spicy foods, like cream-based curries or Asian food. It’s also great with roasted chicken or pork, lobster, shrimp, and creamy cheeses. This our Braganini Reserve Viognier is meant to be shared and discovered over and over.