How to pair a rich local Viognier

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La Frenz’s Viognier: A fresh, fruity offering from the heart of the Okanagan Valley

Located on the Naramata Bench in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, the La Frenz winery is known for producing exceptional wines, says Kevin Van Hullebush, sommelier at Vancouver’s DB Bistro Moderne.

He recommends La Frenz’s Viognier, a rare grape variety that is well suited to the Naramata Bench. Van Hullebush describes the wine’s rich body as “clean and weightless on the palette,” adding that the intensity of stone fruits, peach, nectarine, and at times even candy pineapple, is derived directly from the grape’s characteristics. He suggests pairing it with roasted game birds or rich, oily seafoods, like scallops or sablefish.