MIAMI, Aug. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cruise
vacations are an increasingly popular way to relax, unwind and
recharge. And while at sea, there's opportunity for guests to
embrace some of life's most enjoyable pleasures – with wine-tasting
and learning about wines an area of interest for many. Whether
guests are curious beginners or connoisseurs, shipboard wine
collections are carefully curated to excite the senses with both
classic and new tastes.
The efforts that go into the wine collections at sea are being
recognized by wine experts as being extraordinary.
Carnival Cruise Line recently earned a prestigious 2017 Wine
Spectator Award. The world's largest cruise line was applauded for
its handpicked selections, chosen to complement the cuisine at the
Fahrenheit 555 steakhouses aboard Carnival Vista, Carnival Breeze
and Carnival Sunshine.
On cruise ships, wine-loving guests may choose a bottle from
wine lists or purchase a valued-priced, multi-bottle wine package
from a menu. Main dining rooms, specialty restaurants and wine bars
also offer selections by the glass, allowing for
experimentation.
Oenophile-focused shore excursions at select ports take you
right to the vineyards for discussion about winemaking with
vintners – in places such as Italy, France, New
Zealand and Australia. On
its Pacific Wine Country itineraries, Princess Cruises offers
guests opportunity to tour wineries including in California's Sonoma
County.
Onboard wine seminars provide guests opportunity to chat with
experienced sommeliers and sample different varietals. Cruise lines
such as Germany's AIDA Cruises and
P&O Cruises Australia also offer theme cruises focused on food
and wine, which bring additional experts onboard.
"A cruise vacation is a great time to try something new, and
when it comes to wine, that is very much encouraged by the
sommeliers onboard," said Jo
Poelmans, senior manager, restaurant and bar operations for
ultra-luxury line Seabourn.
"Wine is fashionable and also entertaining onboard ships," added
Csaba Imre Szentpaly-Toth, Cellar Master on the Holland America
Line's ms Zaandam. "Guests have opportunity on a concentrated basis
to open their eyes to the secret world of winemaking, sommeliers,
the art of food and wine pairing and the exciting history of
wine-producing regions and people. We can lift the veil and
introduce guests to new tastes and the rediscovery of old
favorites."
Cruise lines select bottles from vintners around the world.
Carnival Cruise Line alone orders hundreds of thousands of bottles
of wine each year. Each of the line's 25 ships carries about 5,000
bottles of wine at any one time, with the stocks constantly being
replenished.
Carnival Cruise Line's bestselling wines include Layer Cake
Cabernet, Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc and Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio,
said Eddie Allen, vice president of
beverage operations for Carnival Cruise Line. In main dining rooms,
the wine menu features more than 100 wines available by the bottle
and some 30 selections available by the glass.
For a quiet sip, visit The Library Bar on the Carnival Breeze,
Carnival Sunshine or Carnival Vista (and coming next year on the
new Carnival Horizon). In the relaxing, library-themed oasis, you
can pour your own tastes from state-of-the-art self-serve wine
dispensers.
The 12 ships of AIDA Cruises stock nearly 100 varieties from
famous wine regions including in Germany, France and the
United States, said Johannes
Nagel, AIDA Cruises' senior manager of hotel services
The cruise line has its own branded AIDA Selection wine, a
Frühburgunder (pinot madeleine), developed with Germany's Brogsitter winery. To celebrate the
recent christening of the AIDAperla, AIDA Cruises is also serving a
special Prima Perla Prosecco from the Veneto region of Italy.
Italy's wine heritage is at the
forefront on Italian line Costa Cruises. The line recently
partnered with The Wine Bank in Pollenzo, Italy (a cooperative founded by Carlo Petrini of International Slow Food
Movement fame), on a sustainable and organic wine list – which
features more than 100 labels from Italy and around the world. The line's
traditional wine list also has iconic selections from Italy and elsewhere.
The most popular wine on Costa Cruises ships is a sparkling
Demi-Sec from the Ferrari collection, said Marco Serra, a Costa Cruises corporate
sommelier.
"Ferrari winery is an important piece of Italian wine history
and on our ships you may find the entire Ferrari collection," Serra
said. "The Trento Doc Ferrari Demi-Sec is obtained from Chardonnay
grapes that are grown on the steep slopes of the mountains of
Trentino."
On several of the ships of British line P&O Cruises, The
Glass House restaurant is a stylish, sea-view haven for lovers of
good food and wine. Award-winning wine expert, food connoisseur and
TV personality Olly Smith (who comes
onboard the ships several times a year to lead food and wine
experiences) handpicked the bespoke collection of specialty wines,
which includes classics and off-the-beaten-path blends. Forty wines
are available by the glass and paired with tapas. The idea,
according to Smith, is to spend the evening sipping and tasting in
a "no snobbery" experience.
On the ships of P&O Cruises Australia, connoisseurs and
newbies alike will want to check out selections that include labels
from the renowned Hunter Valley,
about 90 miles north of Sydney.
With its five-ship fleet, P&O purchases nearly 100,000 bottles
of wine from the Australian region each year – having a significant
positive impact on local winemakers.
Onboard Pacific Aria, Pacific Dawn, Pacific Eden and Pacific
Jewel, The Cellar Door wine bar is an innovative venue for
tastings, master classes and seminars, run by onboard staff.
The venerable Cunard line shows its passion for wine in a
collection that encompasses labels from the world's most famous Old
World vineyards, tempting New World wines and carefully selected
examples from smaller boutique vineyards.
Expert sommeliers onboard the three Cunard ocean liners assist
guests with making their selections from an impressive, 48-page
wine list. There's also a handy tasting guide rating white wines on
a scale of very dry to luscious and red wines from light to full
bodied.
Rare wines are available by the bottle or by the glass, via
Cunard's groundbreaking Coravin system – which allows pours without
removing the original cork. Among the precious tastes is a Château
Lafite Rothschild. Guests might also choose a First Growth Wine
Flight, featuring the five Premiers Crus of the Médoc, complete
with an explanation of their common theme and differences.
Cunard's wine list also includes the line's own private label of
four varietals made from grapes from France's upper Minervois – there's a
wonderfully complex chardonnay/viognier, cabernet sauvignon,
Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre and a Grenache/Syrah Rosé.
For those serious about pursuing wine education, Cunard partners
with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the world's
largest provider of wine and spirits qualifications, for courses
offered shipboard.
In the Princess Cruises fleet, the Royal Princess and Regal
Princess boast the largest at-sea collections of Super Tuscans –
representing most of the brands available worldwide. Selections are
showcased at the Tuscan-inspired specialty restaurant Sabatini's.
To try a variety, sign up for the Super Tuscan Wine Tasting.
At the Vines Wine Bar, in a charming corner of the Piazza atrium
on all of Princess Cruises' Grand- and Royal-class ships, there's
opportunity to sample a selection of dozens of vintage wines and
sparking wines. The menu includes wine flights and a selection of
wines by the glass, served with complimentary gourmet nibbles. A
new experience with Napa's
Silverado Vineyards provides guests opportunity to try their hand
at wine blending.
Wine connoisseurs on Regal Princess might consider booking a
Wine Maker's Dinner, a unique, intimate dining experience held in a
private space inspired by a wine cellar. The menus are developed in
conjunction with noted winemakers and paired with matching
wines.
Guests on Seabourn enjoy carefully chosen complimentary wines
and champagne from a list of more than 40 varietals, while
connoisseurs may choose additional options from a premium wine menu
featuring more than 160 wine and 18 champagne labels.
Particularly impressive on Seabourn are selections from some
small, family-operated vineyards in Napa – some are arranged via the cruise line's
connection with culinary partner Thomas
Keller, arguably America's greatest chef.
"We are honored to offer wines from Colgin Cellers and Lail
Vineyards, for example, allowing our guests to try these
extraordinary vintages," said the line's Poelmans. "We also carry
some of the most exclusive French wines onboard such as Domaine de
la Romanée-Conti. At the end of the day, we're Seabourn and we
strive to deliver the best."
Holland America Line guests can
choose from some 200 labels available at any one time, said the
Zaandam's Szentpaly-Toth. The wine list changes by itinerary and
destination, with separate lists for the main dining room and
specialty restaurants.
"Our American guests are immensely interested in the European
chic of wine history and sampling those vintages from France and Italy," Szentpaly-Toth said. "Our European
crowd would try almost anything they can from California to Washington State."
The best sellers onboard Holland America Line ships include
non-oak, barrel-aged whites, Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs from
New Zealand and Super Tuscans.
Orlando Ashford, president of
Holland America Line, has his name on a private label Super Tuscan
that has resonated well with guests, Szentpaly-Toth said.
On the ms Koningsdam, there is also opportunity for guests to
create their own wine at BLEND, a wine-blending experience offered
in cooperation with Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington State's oldest winery.
Cellar masters on each of the Holland America Line ships sample
wines, visit vineyards and are attentive to guests, both at tasting
events and seminars and one-on-one. "I find our guests falling in
love with our wine team and taking their suggestions,"
Szentpaly-Toth said.
Here are five tips from shipboard sommeliers:
- Let your wine steward know what you plan to order for your
meal. He or she might suggest you order a powerful, fruity wine
with your rack of lamb, for instance.
- Try wine with dessert. Sweet wine, such as a Moscato, pairs
well with the bitterness of chocolate.
- Consider ordering wine based on the countries you are visiting.
You might go for a Spanish wine in the Mediterranean or a Chilean
wine in South America.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions. Shipboard sommeliers and wine
experts are there to help take your wine experience to the next
level.
- Ask about the history and origin or the wines you order. There
are stories behind the creations.
View original content with
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/on-cruise-vacations-wines-popular-pastime-300498121.html
SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc