Let’s be honest, I’m not a huge Viognier fan.  I try.  I really do, particularly because it’s Virginia’s signature grape and I try to support the local wineries.  But, Viognier just never does it for me.  Flame away, Viognier lovers, but I prefer other white wines like a Verdejo or a Grüner Veltliner.  And, when it comes to Virginia wines, I much prefer a Virginia Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot.

Considering my tumultuous relationship with Viognier, I was torn on whether to participate in this month’s Wine Blogging Wednesday (WBW #78): Get Your Viggy On. The whole idea of buying a wine that wouldn’t wow me just to participate in WBW seemed like a waste of wine.  At the same time, my whole goal with the blog is to taste new wines…explore new horizons…push myself beyond my wine comfort zone.

So, when Hubby and I went grocery shopping, I decided to just take a look at the Viogniers to see if one caught my eye.  Low and behold, there was a 2009 Fess Parker Viognier…and I like Fess Parker wines.  Plus, I like Frank from Drink What YOU like, who is hosting WBW #78, and I like participating in Wine Blogging Wednesday.  So, I bought it, and on Sunday afternoon, as I was doing my weekly blogging and awaiting this week’s True Blood, I decided to get my Viggy on…and I’m so glad I did!

The 2009 Fess Parker Viognier (winery) is from Santa Barbara, California and is made with 80% Viognier, 13% Marsanne, 5% Grenache Blanc, and 2% Roussanne grapes.  The wine was a light lemon yellow.  On the nose, there was honeydew, white nectarines, champagne mangoes, and hints of pineapple and vanilla.  In the mouth, there were white nectarines, champagne mangoes, and hints of drawn butter, pineapple, vanilla, and wet stones.  The wine was well-balanced with a medium body and medium acidity.

Is this worth a glass after work? It’s worth more than one!  What are you waiting for? At $18, this wine is a delightful summer white that will be perfect for Friday evenings up on our roof deck (notice I said “will be,” as I expect the Wine Ladies and I will be drinking this white again in the near future).  It is food-friendly—maybe some guacamole and chips or some manchego cheese and prosciutto to snack on while on the roof deck—but also the perfect sip-and-type wine to accompany me on my afternoon of blogging.  My one word of warning is that the wine has 14.5% alcohol, so it definitely backs a wallop without tasting like it.  If you’re gonna get your Viggy on, this is the wine do it with!

Special thanks to Frank for hosting this month’s Wine Blogging Wednesday.  Clearly, I wouldn’t have picked up this wine without the WBW excuse, and I would definitely have been missing out.  Cheers!

Question of the Day:  Are you a Viognier fan?  What one would you suggest for a wine lover who has a questionable relationship with the grape?

Price: $18
Purchased at Whole Foods Market
Overall: 4.5 Corks