This White’s A Real Value

NV Viano Vineyards Hillside White

When I first heard that there was a winery literally 10 minutes from my house (I am by no means in what you’d call “wine country”) that had been around since 1920, with some vines planted in the 1880s, I thought, “awesome!”

Then I thought, “wait… why haven’t I heard of them before this?” I figured, honestly, that they just couldn’t be any good, or I’d have heard about them before turning 30, living here my whole life as I have.

Assumptions, dear reader, can be dangerous things. Luckily I decided not to rely on these assumptions and instead to go out to their tasting room (again, 10 minutes away) and give them a shot for myself. I’m very glad I did.

The Hillside White is the winery’s most basic white wine. A blend of Chenin Blanc, Muscat, and French Colombard, it is a rich yellow-gold in the glass, with a hint of greening near the edges. The nose is very bright, with big apple and pear notes, and just a touch of citrus.

On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and crisp. The powerful aromas from the nose don’t translate as well to the palate, but there is definitely tart apple here, and the wine is refreshing and more than quaffable.

Here’s the kicker. The Hillside White is $4.50 per bottle, $6.50 per magnum. This is a ridiculously good QPR. The wine tastes like it costs 3x that. Now, you don’t live here, so Viano isn’t in your backyard like it is in mine, but if you live in Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, Utah, Virginia, or Washington, D.C., Viano will ship some out to you. I recommend it.

Verdict: B-

Viano Vineyards Hillside White