1997 Georges Duboeuf Viognier, Vin de Pays de l'Ardeche ($8).

Georges Duboeuf, the Beaujolais producer extraordinaire, continues his successful foray into the south of France with this delicious dry white wine. Viognier is the classic white-wine grape of the northern Rhone, and this wine does a convincing imitation of a $35 Condrieu at a bargain price. It displays the typical viognier flavors of peach, spices, melon, orange and nuts. Like all viogniers, it should be consumed young - preferably before the end of this year.

Pub Date: 7/15/98