Wine Review: Le Paradou Viognier (France) vs. California Viognier

I did something fun today!! I compared two Viogniers from Trader Joe's: one from California ($5.99) and one from France ($10.99).

Le Paradou Viognier (France) - $10.99

On the nose: Immediate honeysuckle - bright and inviting

The taste: Refreshing with what I'd call semi-dry and semi-sweet qualities. There's a quick sweetness in the mouth, then it finishes dry. Very balanced.

Temperature notes: This wine is forgiving. You can chill it for 30 minutes and it's perfect. It doesn't need to be super cold to be enjoyable.

The Verdict: 9/10

Comparison to the California Viognier ($5.99):

Both wines have that beautiful honeysuckle note on the nose, but the French Viognier has better balance and is much more temperature-forgiving. The California one needed to be REALLY cold to taste right - like a full hour in the freezer. This French one, 30 minutes and you're good.

Is it worth the extra $5? For me, yes. The French Viognier is more versatile, easier to serve at the right temp, and has a more complex flavor profile.

Takeaway: I'll be exploring more French wines from this brand going forward!