Wines Pays d'Oc Astruc - Malras Viognier - 2020

Viniou Reviews

Astruc’s 2020 Cuvée Malras Viognier from the Pays d’Oc appellation truly embodies the expressiveness of this aromatic grape variety. This white, made entirely from Viognier, exudes vibrant peach, apricot, and exotic fruit notes, softened by delicate hints of white flowers. The 2020 vintage, marked by a sun-drenched growing season, has given the wine a lovely balance between opulent fruit and refreshing acidity. The grapes grow on the undulating foothills of the Pyrenees, where the mixture of clay and limestone soils provides the structure and minerality that shape the wine’s elegant profile. Fermentation and maturation in stainless steel maintain the purity and freshness of the Viognier.

The Languedoc-Roussillon region, nestled in southwestern France along the Mediterranean, enjoys an enviable blend of coastal breezes and ample sunshine, ideal for ripening aromatic varieties such as Viognier. The region’s winemaking extends back to Roman times, and today it is renowned for its dynamic blend of tradition and innovation. The diverse terroir ranges from limestone plateaux to stony hillsides, allowing for a wide range of expressive, fruit-forward wines. The Pays d’Oc classification, in particular, encourages experimentation and varietal bottlings, making it a vibrant home for stand-out examples like this Astruc wine.

This Viognier shines as an apéritif but truly comes to life when paired with food. Its aromatic richness and rounded palate make it an excellent match for Mediterranean cuisine—think marinated grilled prawns, confit of lemon chicken, or a classic Niçoise salad. Locally, it pairs beautifully with rouille-laced fish soup or creamy goat cheeses from the Languedoc region. You might also enjoy it with mildly spiced dishes from North Africa, where the wine’s perfume and textural generosity can tame aromatic spices.

For the best tasting experience, serve this wine slightly chilled, ideally between 10-12°C. This temperature range preserves the lovely floral and stone fruit aromas while ensuring a fresh, lively palate. Open the bottle shortly before serving to allow the subtler notes to reveal themselves, and enjoy its youthful vibrancy within two to three years of the vintage.