Adopt-A-Row Preview

It's time to head up to the Okanagan and to the Spring Pruning Party as part of Red Rooster's Adopt-A-Row program. Boo and I haven't been able to make many of the semi-annual Adopt-A-Row events lately. Isn't it just a pain how often work and/or life can get in the way of having fun? Indeed, Boo isn't able to attend this time around either as he has to work through the whole weekend.

Poor boy. I figured we should open a little Red Rooster so that he wouldn't feel that he was completely missing out on the weekend.

1879.  2012 Red Rooster Viognier (Okanagan Valley VQA)

Knowing that we tend to grab some of winemaker, Karen Gillis', Viognier every year, I had to check back to make sure that I haven't already added this Red Rooster vintage to The List already. There have been 2009, 2010 and 2011 bottles already poured on this little Odyssey, but we haven't made it to the 2012 thus far. So, here we go.

2011 wasn't the best of vintages in the Okanagan for reds but there were still some tasty whites to be found and Red Rooster's Viognier proved to be a popular gem for the winery. It pulled in a Gold medal at the 2012 All Canadian Wine Championships. Tough act to follow - or so you'd think. Turns out that Karen and gang did just that. The 2012 vintage was one of only twelve wines to win a 2013 Lt. Governor's Award for Excellence in Wine.

In what has become a bit of calling card for Karen's Viognier, I found that the aromatics didn't overwhelm. There was plenty of body to the wine - as well as acidity - but I guess it just goes to show how little I know about tasting. While the Lt. Gov's tasting panel found the wine to be an award winning varietal wine, I would have been hard-pressed to identify it as Viognier if I'd tasted it blind.

The wine paired nicely with our spicy chicken and rice noodles though. Plus, it let Boo have a little Red Rooster of his own since he wouldn't be able to head up to the winery for the weekend's activities. I figure a little award-worthy Viognier is better than nothing.