Verdicchio vs Viognier

Comparing Verdicchio vs Viognier makes sense, after all, they sound similar, but they’re very different wines

Verdicchio is lighter bodied than Viognier, with green apple and almond. Viognier is fuller bodied, lower acid, with stone fruit and floral notes. Both are medium alcohol and dry to off-dry in style.

Here’s what you need to know about Verdicchio vs Viognier.

Verdicchio Basics: White Italian Gem

Verdicchio grows in the Umbria and Marche regions of Italy where it makes an aromatic, bright white wine with peach, lemon, and green apple. Higher-quality versions of Verdicchio will have an almond note to them. Discover more in the complete Verdicchio wine guide.

Fun Wine Fact: Verdicchio was once more popular than Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc!

Viognier Basics: Full-bodied and Fruity

Viognier, originating from the Rhône Valley in France, is an aromatic, fruity white wine that has a fuller, luscious body. It has classic notes of stone fruit, like peach and apricot, along with honey, rose, and tangerine.

You’ll find Viognier grown in South Africa, Australia, and California as well.

Helpful Tip: If you’re new to Viognier, here’s a quick Viognier wine guide to help you appreciate its unique characteristics.

Wine Comparison: Verdicchio vs. Viognier

Here’s a quick side-by-side that covers the most common styles of Verdicchio and Viognier.

Characteristics	Verdicchio	Viognier
Hue	Pale lemon to straw	Medium lemon to golden
Color	White	White
Aromas	Citrus, green apple, oily, almond	Apricot, peach, floral
Sweetness	Dry to off-dry	Dry to off-dry
Acid	Medium plus to high	Low to Medium
Alcohol (%)	12-13%	13-14%
Body	Light to medium	Medium plus to full
Intensity	Medium to pronounced	Medium to pronounced
Key Growing Regions	Italy (Marche, Umbria), California	France (Condrieu), Rhone Valley, California
Classic Pairings	Poultry, salads, light pasta dishes	Poultry, creamy dishes, Asian cuisine
Price Range	$15-$40	$15-$40

Verdicchio Wine Profile

• Sweetness: Verdicchio wines lean towards dryness, offering a range of dry to off-dry styles.
• Alcohol: Verdicchio wines typically have medium alcohol content, similar to Viognier, ranging from around 11% to 14% ABV.
• Body: Verdicchio is known for its lighter body, lighter than Viognier.
• Acid: Verdicchio displays vibrant acidity, higher than Viognier.
• Flavor and Aroma Intensity: Verdicchio expresses refreshing citrus notes along with green apple, peach, almond, and an oily quality.

Viognier Wine Profile

• Sweetness: Viognier tends to be made in dry styles, but less expensive wines may be off-dry
• Alcohol: Viognier wines typically have a moderate to high alcohol content, ranging from around 13% to 15% ABV.
• Body: Viognier is known for its full-bodied, creamy texture on the palate, fuller than Verdicchio.
• Acid: While still providing freshness, Viognier tends to have lower acidity compared to most Verdicchio wines.
• Flavor and Aroma Intensity: Viognier boasts intense floral and stone fruit aromas with a rich, honeyed character. Expect flavors of apricot, peach, honeysuckle, and sometimes a hint of spice.

Are Verdicchio and Viognier Similar?

Verdicchio and Viognier are similar. Both wines are aromatic with medium alcohol and made in dry to off-dry styles.

Helpful Tip: Just getting started with white wine tasting? Here’s how to pick out aromas in white wines.

What Is the Difference Between Verdicchio and Viognier?

Verdicchio tends to be lighter and has higher acid than most styles of Viognier. Viognier has more stone and tropical fruit notes, like mandarin and mango. Verdicchio tends to have citrus and green tree fruit notes, along with a distinctive almond and oily quality.

Verdicchio vs Viognier: Food Pairings and Serving Temperature

• Viognier’s full-bodied and aromatic nature makes it an excellent companion for richer dishes, including creamy pasta and oven-roasted poultry. Off-dry styles make lovely companions to chili spice – think Thai take-out.
• Verdicchio’s citrus-driven fruit profile and delicate almond make it a versatile companion for a variety of dishes, including poultry, seafood, and lighter vegetarian cuisine

Both wines are best enjoyed chilled. 

Place them in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours before serving. For both wines, remove the bottle from the refrigerator approximately 10-15 minutes before pouring to reach the ideal serving temperature.

Helpful Tip: If your Viognier or Verdicchio wines seem closed, let them sit for a few minutes and give them a good swirl to open up. These are aromatic whites that should jump out of the glass at you.

Which Is More Expensive, Verdicchio or Viognier?

It’s natural to want to compare the price of Verdicchio vs Viognier, so here’s what you need to know.

Quality Level	Verdicchio	Viognier
Entry-level	$15-$20	$15-$20
Premium	$25-$40+	$20-$50+

Viognier Cost

• Entry-level Viognier wines are usually priced between $15 and $20 per bottle. These are lovely bottles that are a good place to start.
• Premium Viognier from renowned regions or prestigious wineries can range from $20 to $40 or more, reflecting their exceptional craftsmanship.

Verdicchio Cost

• Entry-level Verdicchio wines also fall within accessible price ranges, usually ranging from $12 to $20 per bottle. These wines are accessible and bright.
• On the premium side, Verdicchio will have more intense fruit flavors. Premium Verdicchio wines will usually cost between $25 – $35 per bottle but can cost $40+.

Helpful Wine Buying Tip: Neither Viognier nor Verdicchio are as popular as, say Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, so they’re not as widely produced. As a result, entry-level Viognier and Verdicchio will cost more than extreme-value Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay.

Which Is Better? Viognier vs Verdicchio

If you love citrus-driven, lighter styles of white wine with bright acid, then Verdicchio is the better wine. If you enjoy rich, stone-fruited white wines with a fuller body, then buy Viognier.

Personal Note: I love Viognier. I’d choose it over Verdicchio any night of the week, but that’s because I enjoy drinking fuller-bodied, perfumed white wines.

Final Thoughts – Verdicchio vs Viognier

Verdicchio and Viognier are totally different wines that deserve a side-by-side comparison. Date night, anyone?

The best way to learn about Verdicchio and Viognier is to do a side-by-side tasting. Grab two bottles of similarly priced Verdicchio and Viognier, gather some friends, and pop those corks!

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Viognier vs Riesling
Chardonnay vs Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio vs Pinot Blanc
Pinot Grigio vs Vermentino

Thirsty for More?

I’m a big believer in side-by-side tastings to enhance your wine knowledge. Here’s how to host your own wine tasting for beginners.

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You should be able to find delightful wines at every price point. Explore this post on how to discover hidden gems under $50.