Yesterday’s Wine Winner: Honey Moon Viognier
2007 Honey Moon Viognier
On Sunday, May 3rd, the Santa Clarita Valley welcomed the Child & Family Center’s 21st annual Taste of the Town. Over thirty of Santa Clarita’s finest restaurants, caterers, wine vendors and micro-brewers served up delectable tastes to hundreds of guests in attendance. I was one of them!
I admit I was looking forward to sampling the wines that were to be poured. The weather made whites appealing and naturally I hit up every wine booth and expected greatness. Unfortunately my expectations were a little high. I sampled 4 whites – a Sauvignon Blanc being poured by Vino100, a table white poured by Vintners Cellars, a white blend from Lee’s and a Viognier poured by Trader Joe’s.
I have to thank the gentleman pouring at Vintners Cellars attempt at educating my friends and I on their table white. He confidently informed us that the table white was actually a Pinot Grigio, but that they were not able to place the varietal on the label because they did not grow the grapes themselves. Hmmm, you sure that’s the reason? Nevertheless, thanks for chuckle 
. Anyways, the wine was good, but not great.
The Sauvignon Blanc was slightly better than average – I expected more there as well. And, as for the other white blend, I forgot it already.
The surprising wine of the day was the 2007 Honey Moon Viognier poured by Trader Joe’s. If I had to describe it, I would say that it reminded me of honey dew melons – refreshing with a touch of sweetness. And at 4.99/bottle, you really can’t go wrong! Using WineAss’s rating structure, I would give this a 3.5/5. I wouldn’t say that I go pick up cases of it at a time, but I’d definitely pick up a bottle while out shopping.
Also, thanks Trader Joe’s for planning accordingly, providing hefty pours and not running out of wines!
