As we get celebrate Viognier Day today on 29th April (and for some on 30th April too!), we take a look at some of the most exciting wine regions for Viognier and Viognier wines in South America. Chilean Viognier is a little easier to find, as the top Viognier producer in South America, although we’ve got you covered with recommendations from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay too!
Ultimate Guide to Viognier in South America
Viognier key descriptors
Medium lemon in colour. Aromas of peach, white blossom & mango. Dry with soft acidity (low) and medium body.
Viognier winemaking styles
South American Viognier is usually a monovarietal wine but sometimes used in white blends. Both youthful and oaked styles are common, and alcohol is normally around 13.5%.
Viognier in Chile
Hectares planted: 761 hectares
I don’t think we’ve really seen Chilean Viognier show its true potential yet, and there’s certainly no defined style or identified top terroir. There’s plenty planted around Chile — from the Atacama Desert down to the Lakes region, and between the mountains and the coast — but there are relatively few serious wine endeavours with the variety so far.
As winemakers have turned their attention to red varieties from the Rhône, however, they have also started to show a more interest in the white Rhône varieties, and some exciting Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne blends have emerged. These varieties can certainly find an ideal home in the alluvial and granite soils of both the Andes and the Coastal mountain ranges. A dash of Viognier also often makes its way into the blends of a few of the country’s top Syrah wines. Chilean Viognier has potential, but so far it is rather unexplored.
Favourite producers
Tabalí, Ventisquero Tara, L’Entremetteuse, ViuManent, Von Siebenthal, Emiliana, Cono Sur, Casas Patronales.
Viognier in the rest of South America
Although Chile is by far the largest producer of Viognier in South America, there are Viognier plantings in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil with a handful of notable wines. In Argentina, some of the top producers include Diamandes, Piedra Negra, Alma Negra, Lagarde and Las Perdices. There are also a large range of Viognier blends, often blended with Chardonnay, Torrontés and Sauvignon Blanc.
In Uruguay, some Viognier wine producers to look out for include Viña Progreso and CampoTinto, with interesting white blends coming from Cerro del Toro and Nakkal. Brazil also has some Viognier plantings, and some interesting wines from Serra da Mantiqueira including a nice one by Guaspari.
Find out more about the most planted grape varieties in South America in our Wine Production Guide!
Terroir Selection: Best Viognier wines to try from South America
TABALI, Barranco Viognier
Rio Hurtado, Limarí / $ / Drinking window <8 years
Coming from the heights of Limarí in the mountains of Rio Hurtado, this is an extreme planting of Viognier and offers a distinctive interpretation of this variety. With great breadth in the palate and a mouthfilling texture, it has a minerality to it in the palate. Long and refreshing.
VON SIEBENTHAL, Rio Mistico Viognier
Aconcagua / $$ / Drinking window <8 years
This is a very luscious style of Viognier which is reminiscent of southern Rhône styles of this often opulent variety. With a silky texture, notes of ripe apricot and nuts, and a full body, this creamy wine is ideal for Condrieu lovers!
DIAMANDES, Viognier
Campo de los Andes / $ / Drinking window <5 years
From the stunning winery of the Bonnie family, this is Argentina’s best Viognier in my book. Delicate peach and white blossom notes with a smooth, creamy finish underpinned by freshness. This proves just how well- balanced whites from this western corner of Tunuyán can be. Ideal with a salad of local peaches, goat’s cheese and arúgula (rocket).
GUASPARI, Vista do Bosque Viognier
Espíritu Santo do Pinhal / $$ / Drinking window <5 years
This is easily one of the better Viognier wines I’ve tasted in South America, and it comes from Guaspari’s 1,180 m.a.s.l. vineyard, which is the Serra’s highest winter harvest vineyard. Fermented and aged in barrel, it has the richness and fatness of Viognier, with creamy complexity and mineral accents. A foodie’s wine.
VENTISQUERO, Tara Viognier
Atacama / $$$ / Drinking window <7 years
Coming from the cool climate desert of the Atacama on salt-crusted desert soils, this is an extreme Viognier blend from the wilder Tara project of Ventisquero. The wine is a non-vintage blend (of several vintages) and has complex layers of orange peel, lime, orange blossom and Christmas cake aromas, with a tangy salinity on the finish. A wild wine for sure!
VIÑA PROGRESO, Overground Viognier
Canelones / $$ / Drinking window <7 years
This really crisp and vibrant Viognier from Gabriel Pisano has explosive notes of apricot, green apple and citrus zest. It’s a youthful, unoaked style with great precision and focus. One for seafood by the coast!
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