Moosbrugger describes the wine as “rich yet medium bodied, with notes of peach, pear, orange, and tropical fruit. There is great acidity in the finish, and it balances out the richness from mid-palate,” he remarks. “The climate and soil are important in this wine, as it is from the Rhone Valley (Costieres de Nimes is considered an extension of the Rhone) where they have the galet stones.”
Moosbrugger calls Prestige Viognier a great aperitif because it is fresh, herbaceous, and with notes of anise and ginger. He likes to use it on tasting menus for the spring and summer, specifically with Café Boulud’s spring salad (featuring different spring vegetables), or seafood starters such as the restaurant’s delicious crab salad which is spiked with grapefruit. “A Riesling from Alsace would be a good traditional pairing with the crab dish,” says Moosbrugger, “but many of our clients do not like wines with residual sugar so this is a good replacement.”
And finally, Moosbrugger raves about the floral aroma. “For a customer, the sommelier should be able to open the bottle, pour it into the glass, and see the guest have the full enjoyment of the wine’s delightful aromas.”
Article comments
1 - Bliffle
I've been to Nimes, of course, but I don't remember the wine. Next time I will be more observant.
The wines of the French provinces are so numerous and so good (cheap, too) that I mostly note those of villages and towns where friends live, because I know I will return. Thus, I am always happy to see a Cahors, for example (and always buy it when I see it in the USA), though it is considered inferior by some. It's a weakness of mine, a character flaw, but it is nevertheless true.
2 - roger nowosielski
Why "of course"? To the best of my knowledge, it's not everybody's experience.
I have been fortunate to be stationed in Verdun for nine months, so yes, I have a limited experience of the Meuse district and the City of Lights. But I consider this an exception rather than a rule.
3 - Bliffle
Doesn't every American long to visit The Camargue, run before the bulls at Lunel and visit Arles, Avignon and Nimes? Seems like the most natural thing in the world to me.
4 - roger nowosielski
Yes, it ought to be so if you can afford it or have been exposed to culture. What kind of a world you're living in, anyway?