Cono Sur Viognier Bicycle 2011

Winery: Cono Sur

Varietal: Viognier

There are few white wines in the world with as much of a floral, elegant and summery aroma as those made from the Viognier grape. This fine varietal has been grown in and around the Rhone region of France for centuries, and is believed to have been brought to France by an ancient Roman Emperor, who wished to spread this special grape around his growing empire. Today, wineries in the New World are beginning to experiment with this grape, which is notoriously difficult to grow and highly susceptible to mildew. Vintners must time their harvest just right, as the distinctive fruit-forward and extremely aromatic juices lose much of their character if they are picked too early, or too late. Due to its delicate nature, Viognier wines are often blended, or are allowed to develop noble rot to intensify their characteristics.

Region: Valle Central

Chile's Valle Central has to be one of the oldest 'New World' wine regions on earth, with a viticultural history which stretches all the way back to the 16th century, and the time of the first European settlers in South America. This long stretch of valleys and mountains, which extends between Maipo and Maule, has grown to become one of the most prodigious and productive wine regions on the continent, with a reputation for big, flavourful and characterful wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Carmenere all flourish in various part of Valle Central, and the many micro-climates which characterize the region allow wineries to experiment and innovate with their crops. Today, the Chilean wine industry is stronger than ever, and quality has for the first time overtaken quantity as a priority, making it something of a golden age for the country's wine producers.

Country: Chile

When the wealthy new landowners of the 19th century began planting large vineyards in the fertile central valleys of Chile, they must have been impressed at how successful the imported Old World grape varietals took to the land. However, such a fact is hardly surprising; with eight months of blazing sunshine coupled with oceanic winds from the west, and crystal clear spring waters from the Andes irrigating the soil, grapes such as Malbec, Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon were given everything they needed to flourish, and more. As the centuries passed, Chilean wineries continued to expand and experiment, resulting in a wide range of wine production methods and techniques, and consistently producing fine quality wines perfect for the international market. Nowadays, Chile is renowned for producing a wide variety of crisp white wines, and juicy, fruity reds enjoyed around the world for their drinkability and flavorful character, making this country very much one of the 'New World', albeit one with a fascinating link to the Old.