Viognier was touted as the next great white wine five years ago when it was rediscovered after becoming nearly extinct in the late 1960s when only about 35 acres remained in the Condrieu region of France's Rhone Valley. Today, Condrieu now has more than 700 acres, and it is planted around the globe, including Australia, Argentina, Chile and 390 acres in Washington state. This grape falls somewhere between the aromatic gewürztraminer and the tropical fruit of chardonnay, bringing in elements of both.

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Every week we swap out the Served banner art above, introducing you to the people who serve food and drinks in the South Sound. This week, meet Devon Fankhauser.

Server Banner Boy, Aug. 25-31, 2014

Devon Fankhauser

Devon Fankhauser has been pouring wine and delivering gourmet mac and cheese and toasted cheese sandwiches to STINK Tank customers for just about a year. Before serving at the Tacoma triangle District wine bar, Fankhauser was part of the crew at Gayle Orth Catering. An offshoot of STINK - Cheese and Meet deli next door, the STINK Tank, a word play off "think tank," Fankhauser delivers pours without interrupting conversations. He knows people are changing the world over glasses of wine and specialty beers.

Why do you serve?

"I enjoy serving because I am a very social person. I love interacting with the public and I enjoy what I do??."

Who is your favorite server in the South Sound?

"This is a tough question. ... I think I would have to pick Wendell from Hilltop Kitchen. He is always nice and approachable and he makes fabulous cocktails."

What are you most proud to serve?

"I sometimes get childishly excited about a particular wine. If I love it and share with folks who also love it, and that makes me happy."

What's your current drink of choice?

"What I drink is so situational; it depends on what I'm doing, if and what I am eating, what time of the day it is, etc. I guess because it is still summer and so warm out, I love a good Rosé. It's the perfect afternoon wine for a hot summer day. I can't imagine a picnic without a good Rosé, they just go hand in hand."

Favorite movie?

"Hmm ... I would probably have to say Amélie. It's such a colorful and beautiful film. I also really like Good Bye, Lenin."

What don't you serve?

"Over-the-top, unwarranted friendliness. If we strike up a conversation that wonderful, but if we don't that's OK, too. I like service that is to the point without a lot of unnecessary chatter."

What's on your radar at STINK?

"I love any of the weekly specials. They are things that are not on the menu so you can't get them all of the time."

LINK: Meet other South Sound servers

Like many people, I was introduced to the Chenin Blanc grape via Vouvray, the crisp, well-balanced wine of France's Loire Valley. Due to its easy drinkability and medium dryness, I think Chenin Blanc gets a somewhat undeserved rap as a "training-wheels" wine. That is, not really for serious wine drinkers.

Hogwash.

It's true that the tendency of Chenin Blanc winegrowers to overproduce and over-irrigate can result in bland, undistinguished wines. And with Chenin Blanc, there are plenty of those. But a really good Chenin Blanc - say, from a Washington state wine grower such as Cedergreen Cellars - can be a truly memorable bottle of wine.

Tonight, Kris Blondin, owner of STINK Cheese and Meat meets and its neighboring wine bar, STINK Tank, offers tastes of five Washington wines she digs, including a 2011 Cedergreen Cellars Chenin Blanc, a delicious wine born to pair with white cheese. Yes, please.

In celebration of Washington Wine Month, Blondin will pour fun and unusual varietals, along with light snacks and "cook cats" for $5 per person, 5-7 p.m. at the STINK Tank, 628 St. Helens in Tacoma's Triangle District.

If you're like me, you're probably left wondering where May went. It seems that just yesterday spring began. But now it's time to kick off June, and the summer drinking season can officially begin. The lawn can wait.

JUNE 6

Talbott Vineyard Wine Tasting

Morso will tentatively pour 2011 Sara Case Chardonnay, 2012 Diamond T Pinot Noir, 2012 Kali Hart Pinot Noir, 2012 Logan Chardonnay and 2012 Logan Pinot Noir. There is a $5 fee per person for this event and is refunded with a wine purchase. Any wines purchased from the tasting may be served without a corkage fee on the night of the tasting. 5-7 p.m., $5, Morso Wine Bar, 9014 Peacock Hill Ave., Gig Harbor, 253.229.0187

Emerald Downs Brewer's Night

Northwest Brewing Company will be at the track with $2.50 craft pounders, Ottomatic DJ, prize drawings and more. 5-9 p.m., Emerald Downs Race Track, 2300 Emerald Downs Dr., Auburn, $7 entrance fee, 253.288.7000

JUNE 11

Georgetown Brewer's Night

Puyallup River Alehouse hosts Georgetown Brewing Company for a night of Georgetown beers, giveaways, raffles, dollar tacos and more. 6-9 p.m., no cover, Puyallup River Alehouse, 120 S. Meridian, Puyallup, 253.268.0955

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