We had a young lady visit with us this week who likes wine. I know; a lot of people like wine you say. But this one knew a lot about wine. She works for her family’s vinyard in the Napa Valley of California. She was visiting Toronto to attend a three day wine conference. It was our good fortune that she chose to stay at Canadiana Backpackers.
On her last evening with us, she produced a Vintage (2004) bottle of a Dry Red – a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Cabernet Blanc. She invited a lucky few of us to sample the wine called simply Viader; her family’s name and label. It was magnificent! It was smooth as silk and a slightly violet aroma ? imparted, she said, by the blending of the Cabernet Franc.?
If this were a French product, it would most likey be classified as a “Premier Grand Cru” the French appellation for finest wines. Only? thirteen Chateaux in all of France are permitted to use that classification. I like to think of myself as an oeneophile – a wine lover. The word is usually translated as “pretentious wine snob”.? But, in my case, it can be best described as one who enjoyes fine wines he can’t afford. I have recently sampled? a French St.Emilion? from Chateau Figac. I have now sampled the? wines of all? 13 top? vinters.
California wines have? earned a large reputation which is well deserved? if Viader wine is an? typical example.? In my most humble opinion? Viader wine takes a backseat to none of the prestigious French Chateaux; with the exception of Chateau? Margaux and Chateau Paulliac both of the Haute-Medoc region of Bordeaux (but I’m told they are entirely different variety of grapes). The only thing I really know about them is that they are absolutely wonderful!
I just looked up the price of a 2004 bottle of Viader (Proprietary Red) Wine. It’s a mere 120 dollars a bottle. I told you I liked wine I can’t afford.?