Domaine la Bastide Vin de Pays d'Hauterive Viognier 2006
Viognier is one of the most interesting white grape varieties around partially because there is so much variation in style. This is pretty much the most elegant I have encountered; delightfully aromatic but more orange blossom and honeysuckle than the ‘textbook’ apricots. The palate is beautifully crisp and limpid with a steely minerality and good length. Situated some 100km west of Perpignan, Domaine la Bastide has 30ha in the Vin de Pays of Hauterive that adjoin the 70ha estate in Corbières (see other French reds).