You may be asking yourself why a wine cruise is any different than any other cruise that serves wine? Allow me to answer that question. Wine themed cruises provide a unique dimension to river cruising by allowing you to immerse in the history of Europe’s renowned wine regions. In fact, there is also a wine river cruise in the US along the Snake and Columbia rivers. But let’s talk Europe today.
Here are several added benefits to selecting a wine river cruise over a standard river cruise.
First, you will have a wine host onboard. Wine hosts are normally from renowned wineries, mainly in North America, and are either owners, winemakers, instructors, or sommeliers. Therefore, you will be learning from an expert in the wine industry.
While onboard special food and wine parings, wine tastings, and discussions will take
place. During lunch and dinner, you will be able to taste hand-picked wines from the hosts which may be from their own vineyards or vineyards along the cruise route. Learn about the wine and why they pair well with the meal.
The shore excursions will be immersive and designed to teach about the grape varieties in the regions, winemaking techniques, and environment. You will have the opportunity to see medieval wine cellars, iconic vineyards, and local wineries. The groups are small to allow you to walk with artisans and vintners in centuries-old vineyards and learn the history of the vineyard and of course sample the wine. Imagine walking through France’s Saint-Emilion, tasting Tokaji wines in Szekszard region of Hungary, or Beaujolais in France to name a few.
Wine cruises cover the gamut of wines and locations, from French, Viennese, Croatian, or German and so on. Whether it is learning about a wine you have never heard of or tasting the classics you have grown to love, there is a wine cruise for you. Choosing a cruise is about one of two things, where you want to go or what wine you would like to taste. If you like port, the Douro river in Portugal is perfect. If Riesling is your preference, try the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Are you in love with Vienna? The Danube cruises offer so much and have a wine cruise too. Let’s not forget France, there are several cruises along the Rhone, Saone, Garonne, Dordogne, Seine, and more.
It is not just about wine. The shore excursions offered are a variety including cities, fairytale towns, castles, medieval walled cities, even a French cooking school or hunting for truffles. So come with a group, split up for excursions, then come together for lunch or dinner and discuss the fun you had while on shore. And don’t forget, shore excursions are included. Take one in the morning come back to the ship for lunch and head out again after lunch for another one.
In closing, whether you are a wine connoisseur, just love to try new wines, or want to see Europe, this type of river cruise is worth exploring. Wine groups, book clubs, or a group of friends that love to travel can enjoy a fun time together on this type of river cruise.
Some photos courtesy of AmaWaterways
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