100 Tasting Experiences on 20 Wine Cruises Around the World

  • January 19, 2015
100 Tasting Experiences on 20 Wine Cruises Around the World
The cruises are offered throughout the year by Food & Wine Trails, a wine tour specialist, onboard Oceania Cruises (pictured), Paul Gauguin, Silversea and Uniworld ships.

Each Food & Wine Trails cruise is hosted by a winery owner, winemaker or professional wine judge and feature wines and wine experiences not normally available to the public. The experiences are split between shipboard wine-paired dinners and tastings that are part of the cruise price, and optionally priced tastings and experiences in cruise ports along the way.

Sample onboard tastings include a four year vertical of 90-point or higher rated Syrah wines from Foxen and Martinelli wineries, a 10-year retrospective of Grgich Hills Estate's Cabernet and a tasting of 12 different single vineyard Pinot Noirs from August West and Loring Wine Company.

The onshore events depend on the time of the year and where the ship docks. Those traveling during winter can drink single vineyard Zinfandels at a private Tahitian motu beach-party with Ravenswood Winery, taste sparkling wines paired with Yucatan food in Cozumel with Domaine Chandon or enjoy a barbeque in Australia's Hunter Valley hosted by Brokenwood Wines.

Unique spring and summer tasting experiences include a Michelin-chef prepared lunch at Chateau Beaucastel in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a Nile River dinner cruise hosted by V. Sattui Winery and wine-paired lunches at Ornellaia Winery in Tuscany hosted by various Sonoma, Napa and Italian winery principals.

"2015 marks our company's 30th anniversary and this years calendar builds on a long tradition of creating true, one-of-a-kind experiences with legendary winemakers and wineries around the world." said Larry Martin, Food & Wine Trail president.

Prices for a Food & Wine Trails cruise begin at $2,499 per person double-occupancy for the cruise, airfare and the onboard wine program. Additional information can be found at FOOD & WINE TRAILS CRUISES, by calling (800) 367-5348 M-F 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM WCT or emailing info@foodandwinetrails.com.