Viognier – 2024

Viognier from the Palatinate by Oliver Zeter

Viognier by Oliver Zeter is a white wine spontaneously fermented in wooden barrels from three Palatinate vineyards, whose grapes are mostly harvested by hand. It matures on the fine lees until late in the year, which gives it a creamy texture and the scent of ripe pears and vanilla.

Viognier 2024 is a Palatinate white wine from Oliver Zeter made from an old Rhône grape variety that is still very rarely cultivated in Germany today. With 13.5% vol, it has body and richness, and its acidity is elegantly integrated.

Pear compote, vanilla, and smoky nuances

In the glass, this Viognier from the Palatinate smells of fresh pastry, a hint of vanilla, and a compote of ripe pears, slowly building its tension. The fruit sweetness is finely integrated, and light roasted notes and smoky nuances from the wood make it multifaceted.

On the tongue, it feels creamy and full, yet its acidity keeps it lively and makes you crave the next sip. The Oliver Zeter winery describes it as a multifaceted, typical Viognier. Exactly this mix of fruit, wood, and richness defines this grape variety, which is originally native to the Rhône.

Double piece barrel, tonneau, and small barrique

At Oliver Zeter, the Viognier grows in three vineyards near Edenkoben, Diedesfeld, and Hambach. Because the variety is extremely fertile in our latitudes, it requires a lot of work there. The vines grow in a flat arch, which bunches the grapes at one height and makes their care easier.

Harvesting takes place late in the autumn, usually by hand, and the juice goes into oak barrels of very different sizes immediately after pressing. In the large double piece barrel (Doppelstückfass) with around 2,400 liters, the fruit remains clear. Tonneau and small 225-liter barriques, on the other hand, contribute more roasted aroma and spice.

The must ferments spontaneously there, and malolactic fermentation follows in the spring, which softens the acidity. Afterward, the wine remains for many months on its fine lees, which are stirred regularly so that they impart their creamy texture to it. From the different barrel sizes, a Viognier from the Palatinate is created that combines freshness and roasted aroma.

Scallops, guinea fowl, and roasted pumpkin

Pan-seared scallops with brown butter are an obvious partner because their sweetness and the roasted aromas from the pan meet the wood and ripe fruit of the wine. An oven-roasted guinea fowl with tarragon or pumpkin with sage also stand up well to its creamy fullness. A mild blue cheese with pear slices picks up the pear compote in the scent and provides a spicy counterpoint.

At 11 to 13 degrees, it shows its scent most clearly, i.e., somewhat warmer than a young, fresh white wine. A barrel-aged Viognier needs this touch of warmth so that the fruit and roasted notes can unfold.

You can find out more about the small wooden barrel and its influence on scent and taste in our product knowledge section on barriques. Syrah, another grape variety from the Rhône, matures at the winery as Syrah Réserve 2022 in terracotta amphorae, and further white wines can be found in our white wine category.

Viognier 2024 – a white wine and its technical data

• Origin Germany
• Growing region Palatinate
• Oliver Zeter, Neustadt an der Weinstraße
• Grape variety Viognier
• Aging in double piece barrel, tonneau, and barrique
• 13.5% vol alcohol
• 2.3 g/l residual sugar
• 5.3 g/l acidity