The scarce and oh-so-famous Viognier grape is difficult to cultivate. A few decades ago, this grape grew exclusively in the northern Rhône Valley. This grape has special qualities that make it so beloved. It offers a combination of understated opulence, a high degree of extract, a substantial dose of alcohol, gentleness, plenty of character, and a generally dry taste. Fortunately, this grape variety is now also being planted in other places, such as the Languedoc. In the 1980s, Fracois Lurton, the youngest of the Bordeaux winemaking family, discovered the potential of this variety in southern France. He purchased the historic Domaine Les Salices, located near the fortified town of Carcassonne. The estate is situated in the heel of Italy. It was once a resting place for pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem or Constantinople. Today, it houses a magnificent château with an exceptional modern winery. The grape varieties used here are: Verdeca, Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera, Viognier and Primitivo.
Harnessing the potential of the various terroirs, the passionate Francois Lurton consistently succeeds in creating varietal wines of outstanding quality. This delicious Viognier is no exception.
Viognier is a difficult grape to grow, and there's a lot of wastage, but the wine Les Salices produces is outstanding. The aroma reveals notes of apricots, roses, blossom, brioche, and hazelnuts. The palate is very soft and ripe, with ripe nuances of peach, spices, and some refined, soft notes of lime. This white wine pairs perfectly with crab, lobster, scallops, but also with spicy chicken dishes or curries.
