The name for the new wine merchant and tasting salon in The Hixon at Westside Yard says it all. “Viaggio” is an Italian word for journey—a voyage, travel or trip. That is exactly what the Viaggio wine experience is: a (fun) wine journey.
Viaggio has an extensive retail bottle list, by-the-glass choices that change daily, beer from coveted producers throughout the United States and abroad, and European snacks matching the quality of the wine producers that owner, Benjamin Richardson, has selected. An Advanced Sommelier, Richardson is behind the bar to share the stories of the places and people behind every bottle.
Most of the by-the-glass selections are priced at, or below, the average cost of a cocktail in Central Oregon, and three wines by-the-glass are offered on tap from a keg, providing fun and fresh options. Fill a growler bag with wine at Viaggio for an affordable takeaway wine option.
Ask about the “Coravin pour” tasting options that allow customers to taste specialty wines that retail at high price points. Richardson can use Coravin technology, a wine preservation system designed to pour wine without pulling out the cork, to keep a $750 bottle of coveted Super Tuscan red from Italy available for 2-ounce pours for up to a month.
Viaggio recently had the Aubry Brut Premier Cru Champagne on the by-the-glass menu. The Aubry family has winegrowing roots in Champagne, France, going back to 1790. Lightly honeyed floral notes complemented the gentle minerality of the Aubry Champagne. It is easy to imagine the Aubry as a great accompaniment to a day of skiing at Mt. Bachelor.
Richardson’s self-described “love of Champagne’’ is also reflected in the “Bubble Bar” pop-up tasting events, featuring a handful of Champagne and sparkling wines that happen twice a month at Viaggio. Buon viaggio on your next trip to Bend’s newest wine bar.
VIAGGIO WINE MERCHANT | 210 SW Century Drive, Suite 160, Bend | (541) 299-5060 | viaggiowine.com
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