International Viognier Day Date in the current year: April 26, 2024

Viognier is a white whine grape variety that is thousands of years old. It is the only permitted grape variety in Condrieu AOC and Château-Grillet AOC in the Rhône valley of France. Viognier almost went extinct in the 1960s due to its low and unpredictable yields and proneness to powdery mildew, but its popularity has risen since then. Outside of France, Viognier is grown in North America (Canada and the United States), South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay), Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Austria, Israel, and the Czech Republic.

Viognier wines tend to have floral and fruity aromas that have something in common with the aromas of Muscat and Riesling wines and low to medium acidity. Most Viognier wines are dry, although some wineries also produce late-harvest dessert Viognier wines. Although some Viognier wines are suitable for aging, they are generally intended to be consumed young (within the first three years after being produced). Depending on the style of winemaking, Viognier wines tend to hit their peak at one or two years of age.

Due to their bold aroma with notes of apricot, peach, tangerine and honey, Viognier wines pair well with moderately spicy dishes such as Thai food or mild curries. Viognier is also a great pairing with shrimp and fish, poultry (especially chicken and turkey), soft and buttery cheeses like Brie and Camembert and semi-soft cheeses like Gruyère and Emmenthal, and roasted vegetables. Unlike most white wines, Viognier can be paired with red meats, albeit only lighter ones such as veal or lean pork.

International Viognier Day is celebrated annually on the last Friday of April. It was launched by Yalumba, an Australian winery that is considered to be one of the world’s most influential Viognier producers. The celebration is supported and promoted by other producers of Viognier wines, including Clonakilla, Guigal, Famille Perrin, Lark Hill Winery, Domaine Jean-Louis Chave, John Duval Wines, Tim Smith Wines, Collector Wines, Massena, Torbreck, Langmeil Winery, M. Chapoutier, and others. Most of them are Australian, but some French wineries participate in International Viognier Day as well.

How can you join the celebration? The best way to celebrate is to buy a bottle of Viogner and enjoy a glass or two, preferably in the company of a friend or loved one. You also can go to your favorite wine bar and see if they have Viognier, attend a wine tasting or wine and food pairing class, book a winery tour, and spread the word about the holiday on social media with the hashtags #InternationalViognierDay and #ViognierDay.