Here we are, the Luscious Lushes, sitting around in the office after another crazy-busy day of wine hawking in Auckland. The big question now: what to write..er..drink..er write for the fabulous Verve mag?!?

We did briefly contemplate serious wine talk, but truly folks, there’s 100’s of serious publications out there, so for inspiration (thanks to an enquiring client) we pulled the cork on a vivacious little VIOGNIER (VIDAL-FLEURY 2009). Beautifully matched with leftover Coromandel Co. smoked fish and Wild Wheat ciabatta. So, we’ve decided to share the joy of what gems we’ve drunk of late… this is a going to be our version of a blog – a “magblog”!

Yes, we know it’s trying to get colder in Auckland of late and we should be talking about reds, but this was so delicious, we wanted to share… and it really didn’t need to be chilled too much at all.

Here’s a bit of background on VIOGNIER.

Amazingly, it was almost an extinct grape varietal in its homeland of Northern Rhone, France, under the appellation of Condrieu.

It had been grown there for almost 2,000 years, possibly transported to the Rhone from its birthplace in Dalmatia by the Romans.

Obviously since then, the grape and it’s wine has increased in popularity and in its price, which has, in some cases, risen to “serious drinker” levels.

Largely due to it being a notoriously hard grape to grow (like Pinot Noir). And if it is picked too early it fails to develop its classic aromas and rich tastes.

Ahhh, onto those tastes and aromas: here in the office, we all became quite poetic to describe this fabulousity of a wine… Primroses, pears and smoke on the nose; guava, vanilla, limes, lychees on the palate – so soft yet so strong. (Just like our Personal Trainers!?!)

This wine was eloquently described by one Luscious Lush as “Autumn and springtime all in 1 glass”.

And that mouth-feel, thick and luscious! A classic example, almost like golden liquid crème fraiche’. Totally enjoyable.

Fine NZ examples to hunt out: Moana Park (Hawkes Bay), TW Wines (Gisborne), Bilancia (Hawkes Bay). Best Australian: Yalumba.

But the final word should go to Aussie wine critic, Oz Clarke: Viognier is a “swooning wine…wine that just oozed sex and sensuality”.

We’ll drink to that! ENJOY at La Barrique!