2 Viogniers

[NorCalGirl]

Renaissance 2002 Sierra Foothills (about $20 I think!) 13.5% Alc. Nice flavor with pears and honeysuckle. Very effervescent - enjoyed it with chicken and mushrooms. As I am now finishing the last of it from a few nights ago, the "bubbles" are gone and it has gotten a bit oaky which I did not detect when the bottle was first opened.

Which brings me to the second viognier of the week.....

Renwood Select Series 2001 ($25/bottle or $4.75 by the glass at the restaurant). The only viognier on the wine list at the casual dinner we had this evening and unfortunately had to go to great lengths to detect anything other than oak! A bit of pear under great scrutiny though....

Some of you have ranted in the past about California Viogniers being overly oaked and I thought perhaps I had either been lucky in my selections or the oak didn't bother me when I have purchased it in the past. Decided this evening that I have just been lucky - could barely get one glass down with dinner. Hoped dinner would save it but the chicken pizzeta with artichoke, sundried tomatoes, olives and feta cheese only made it stronger.

Will look for other recommendations in the future :-)