Domaine De La Ferrandiere Viognier 2011 750ml

Winery: Domaine De La Ferrandiere

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: Languedoc Roussillon

Languedoc Roussillon is one of the world's most important wine regions, with an annual output which, amazingly, exceeds that of the United States, and which makes up for over a third of France's overall wine production. Languedoc Roussillon is also a hugely important region for wine history, and is widely regarded as probably the first part of France in which grapevines were cultivated, after many were introduced by the ancient Greeks several thousand years ago. The region is renowned around the world for having a dedication to quality which matches the quantity it produces, and the range of wines produced in Languedoc Roussillon is truly impressive, with red, white, dessert and sparkling wines all being made to high levels of excellence within the region.

Country: France

French winemakers are subjected to several laws and regulations regarding the wines they produce, and how they can be labeled and sold. Such procedures are designed to increase the overall quality of the country's produce, and also to ensure that wines made in each particular region or appellation are of a character and type which is representative of the area. Thankfully for consumers of wine world-wide, the French have a particularly high reputation to uphold, and seem to do so flawlessly. Every year, wineries from all over France produce millions upon millions of bottles of fine wine, making the most of their native grape varieties and the excellent terrain which covers most of the country. From the expensive and exquisite red wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy, to the white wines and cremants of central France, the French are dedicated to providing the world with wines of the highest quality and most distinctive character.