@savoirpair Viognier pairs perfectly with Chines Chicken Salad. This one’s a splurge but soooo worth it! #paullato #viognier ♬ Yacht Club - MusicBox
This past Thanksgiving, we did some testing to see which wines worked best with dinner. It’s a big challenge, because there are so many flavors – the savory poultry, gravy, stuffing. We also had a ham this year. The sweetness of cranberries, pumpkin dishes and Nana Debbie’s Jello – a requirement at all family gatherings. That’s a lot to pair with. After trying both reds and whites, we came to the conclusion that one wine stood head and shoulders above the others. Paul Lato Vis-à-Vis Viognier was spectacular.
Let’s be upfront about this – it should be spectacular, because it ain’t cheap at $55/bottle But it is worth every penny. We have been big fans of Paul Lato wines for a long time now. His Pinot Noirs are exceptional, and he’s also developed a reputation for excellent Rhone Style and Chardonnays. But when we visited the winery last year, we were taken by the Viognier. Lovely golden hue, aromas of stone fruit and tropical fruits, as well as some floral scents. On the palate it’s wonderfully dry, and lighter in body than a lot of Viogniers, which can really fill up your mouth. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a Sauvignon Blanc light on the palate, but it’s so silky and delicate. Big enough to stand up to the meat dishes and savory flavors but a hint of sweetness and nice acidity to match the cranberries and the Jello, of course!
We had the 21 vintage, and after trying it on Thanksgiving, we decided to just go for it on a night when we had a simple Chinese Chicken Salad. It was a spot-on pairing. The acidity playing off the sweetness and sesame in perfect harmony. This wine would probably develop more complexity over time, but we just couldn’t wait. That’s the great thing about all of Paul Lato’s wines. He believes wines should be ready to drink on release – they shouldn’t have to age in bottle for years before being opened. The nice thing is, if you have the patience, his wines age beautifully. If you’re thinking of buying a special bottle or two, think about one of Paul Lato’s wines. You won’t be disappointed.