2023 Vina Progreso Viognier

Variety: 100% Viognier
Region: Uruguay
Cost: $26 (SRP)Winemaker’s Notes: Greenish light yellow, shiny, transparent. Very aromatic, fruity, in accordance to the grape variety. Delicate but generous with flowery aromas from apples and pears. Fresh, powerful, and balanced. Its delicious acidity gives it a purity that remarks the aromatic fineness of the vines. With reminiscence of figs and citric. Long ending with soft pepper and orange peel touches. Superb wine with elegant flavors of nectarine and pineapple which perfectly evocate Viognier.

Always very dry, this original wine is perfect as a summer appetizer. Very appropriate with roasted fish, shellfish of intense flavors, and white meats in general.

My Review: Living in Virginia gave me a lot of exposure to Viognier. I’ve tried it from other countries, but the 2023 Vina Progreso Viognier perfectly blends what I like about expressions of the grape that I’ve tried form both Virginia and France–balanced acidity with good floral notes and tropical flavors.

Super light yellow with hints of gold in the glass (though still very transparent), I got aromas of pear, lychee, and tropical aromas. The wine had floral notes, but it wasn’t overly “perfume-y”, showing a lot of good balance in the application of tropical and floral aromas.

In the mouth the wine was fresh and balanced. I got flavors of nectarine and pineapple. If I was going to suggest a wine for someone to experience what I mean when I saw “tropical notes” in a wine, the 2023 Vina Progreso Viognier would be it.

My wife and I paired the wine with cajun spiced tilapia with dirty rice and the balanced notes and floral aromas were a great balance to the spicy flavors of the fish.

I really liked this wine, and at $26 it’s a great value that’s worth picking up. If you’re looking to get into Viognier, or if you’re looking for a good expression of it, the 2023 Vina Progreso is definitely one worth checking out.

Disclosure: I received this wine as a free sample for review.