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Divergence Wines Viognier, 2021
Shipped and sold by Collab Wine & Beverage
Due to the extended hang time, the grapes were sorted first in the vineyard during hand harvesting and again at the winery to keep only the desired clusters while including a significant amount of botrytis. After sorting, the grapes were whole cluster pressed, and the juice settled at cold temperatures. Juice was racked to four French Oak barrels (1 new, 2 third use, 1 neutral), and each was inoculated with a selected yeast strain. Following fermentation, the wine was aged on primary lees for nine months with stirring only in the first few weeks. Pale gold in colour, the wine shows notable viscosity in the glass. Aromas of canned peaches and pears, wildflower honey, subtle spices, and a chalky/stony aroma fill the glass. The palate is full and rich, with a creamy texture and slight sweetness balanced by moderate acidity and a warm finish.
Residual Sugar: 4.8 g/L
About Divergence Wines
What does it mean to be crafting wines on a different path? Small and exclusive productions, sourced from top vineyards, crafted to deliver quality. For Divergence, quality is prioritized over quantity in every aspect of production with wines focused on precision, authenticity, and texture to deliver a unique take on the best of what Niagara has to offer. Founder Jeff Moote has worked at well-known Niagara wineries such as Fielding, Creekside, and Trius before launching Divergence. His time both inside and outside the wine industry has reaffirmed his “no compromises” ethos that continues to drive him.
Critic's Rating
Stony and honeyed, with subtle notes of flaked pastry. Elegant and complex with nice use of lees and neutral barrel. The finish is long and flinty. — Emily Walker, WineAlign
Nice nose - flinty aromatics with a lick of high quality oak. Fullish palate, attractive, tasty wine. I like the acids and the refinement, not a blowsy wine, contained, long finish. Very viognier in the end. Tasted blind at the NWACs 2023. — John Szabo, MS, WineAlign
Decanter World Wine Awards 2023, Silver Medal
National Wine Awards of Canada 2023, Gold Medal
Connoisseur Note(s):
There isn’t a lot of Viognier being made in Niagara, but Moote was offered a small batch from the Mazza Vineyard in Lincoln Lakeshore and decided to give it a shot, a nod to his love for the Northern Rhone, a region he favours for Viognier. There was a touch of botrytis in the vineyard, which Moote embraced, and he also barrel fermented the grapes and barreled down the finished wine in oak (25% new) casks for 9 months. This is a lovely Vio with an impressive nose of apricot, jasmine, grapefruit, peachy/melon, ginger, and spice. It has a rich, almost oily texture on the palate with creamy notes to go with apricot tart, ginger in spades, peach preserves, a touch of wild honey (despite only 4 g/l of RS) and plenty of lift and finesse on the long, luxurious finish. “I just wanted to showcase the fruit,” says Moote. “I made the wine I wanted to make.” 92 points — Rick VanSickle, Wines in Niagara
Pretty and aromatic with orange blossom and exotic spice leading to a palate of fruit cocktail, dried peach and candied orange peel. 91 points — 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards
