Viognier

75cl * Vegan * 13.5% ABV * Pays d’Oc, France

Elaborately textured, full-flavoured Viognier. The wine is aptly named after the Latin name for silk, Serica. In the 14th century, silk production or sericulture was as widespread in this region as viticulture.

Domaine de Vedilhan (pronounced ‘Domaine de Ved-ee-ohn’) is the estate of the Fayet family based in the village of Moussan close to Narbonne. A brook runs around the estate and it provides much-needed water in this very hot part of France, giving the wines their freshness and appeal. The vines are managed using the ‘lutte raisonne’ method and the terroir is a combination of limestone, sand and sea shale, meaning the vines dig deep for their nutrients and thus produce excellent quality grapes. These grapes give a richly textured wine with bitter-sweet aromas of crystallised orange peel, ginger and cream. Barrel fermentation brings subtle texture and richness rather than a dominant oaky flavour, leaving rich stone fruits to shine through. Try with seared scallops and spring onions or fried tiger prawns with garlic. A nice match for aromatic Vietnamese dishes.