Vignoles is a very versatile grape, demonstrated by the fact that three different Best of Class categories at the recent Missouri Wine Competition were swept by Vignoles wines, claiming the honor of best dry white wine, semi-dry white wine and sweet white wine. This amount of variance in style and sweetness makes Vignoles a powerhouse of both flavor and pairing potential.

Dry Vignoles wines often retain the intense fruity aromas the grape is known for, but despite this fruitiness on the nose, they have a delightful dry, crisp flavor often with notes of pineapple and citrus fruits. Their vibrant acidity makes them delicious for summer sipping on the patio. Dry Vignoles wines pair perfectly with Swiss cheese and rich Mexican and Asian dishes that benefit nicely from the bright acidity. You’ve never met a better match for pineapple fried rice!

Semi-dry and semi-sweet Vignoles wines are full of fruit from start to finish. They maintain the pineapple, strawberry and citrus aromas expected from Vignoles and their slight sweetness carries the fruit forward flavors through to the end. Semi-dry and semi-sweet Vignoles wines are the perfect accompaniment to all your spicy food favorites such as Buffalo wings, Thai food, Indian favorites and Cajun recipes. Sweet cuts heat, and there’s just enough in Vignoles to make it the ideal pairing.

Sweet Vignoles wines share most of the same characteristics as the semi-sweet, but their residual sugar is higher, making them a great match for sweeter, fresh fruits like strawberries, apricots and peaches. Fruity desserts are also delicious paired with a sweet Vignoles.

August is Vignoles Month, and there’s certainly a lot to celebrate! Let us know what your favorite Vignoles pairing is on social media with the hashtag #VignolesMonth.

*BONUS*

Dessert Late Harvest Vignoles wines are not to be confused with sweet Vignoles wines. They definitely deserve their own category. They get their luscious, decadent sweetness and their name from how they are made. The grapes are allowed to ripen longer than others and harvested after they’ve developed extra sweetness. These wines are very full bodied and complex. You would be hard pressed to find a better match for rich desserts such as panna cotta, crème brûlée and cheesecake.