Viognier

Viognier’s survival story is a lesson in resilience—and a celebration of spring. Once on the brink of extinction, this floral white wine now commands reverence for its boldness and complexity. The Rhône Valley’s Condrieu appellation, in particular, has become its spiritual home, crafting wines that feel like a sun-drenched garden in a glass. This week’s Tasting Challenge zeroes in on French Viognier, a grape that defied near-erasure to become one of the most thrilling wines of the season. The stakes were high in the 1960s. With fewer than 30 acres of Viognier planted globally, growers had largely abandoned it. The…