Celebration of Wine River Cruises

With countless vineyards close by, France’s second largest waterway allows us to sample some of the country’s most renowned wines and ciders. The wine variety that instantly characterizes northern France comes from the Champagne region about 90 miles east of Paris. Stemming from chalky soils and cool temperatures, these sparkling varieties produce a sweet effervescence and unparalleled quality that merit exclusive classification as the one and only wine known as “Champagne.” However, our Wine Cruises along the Seine River often take on a “Tour de France” approach, including varietals from multiple regions, such as Bordeaux and Provence.

Another specialty drink is found closer to the English Channel. Normandy’s fruit-filled orchards have been picked and pressed into a rich cider brandy called Calvados for nearly 500 years. Made from over 170 apple and pear varieties, this rustic spirit is distilled twice and barrel-aged for at least two years before bottling. The result is a palate-pleasing liqueur bursting with complex apple elements and hints of cinnamon spice. Taste both these exceptional beverages and more on our Paris & Normandy and Impressions of the Seine & Paris itineraries.

The Rhône River makes its first appearance in the Swiss Alps and then runs through the heart of France to join the Mediterranean Sea. Besides providing captivating views of medieval towns and colorful landscapes, it connects the dots between thousands of vineyards from Lyon to Avignon. Our Colors of Provence and Essence of Burgundy & Provence itineraries take you through this prized wine-producing region in southeastern France, known across the globe as the Rhône Valley.

Pale pink and with a low alcohol content, Provencal Rosé wines are the “gold standard” for Rosés and are typically blended with Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. The Rosés of the Côtes de Provence region are crisp and fruity with a hint of pepper and call to mind summer even in the midst of winter.

Made with both red and white grapes, Hermitage is an Appellation d’Origine Controlée (AOC) that is world-renowned and best enjoyed matured. It was King Louis XIII’s official wine of choice.

From 1308 until 1388, the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church was relocated from Rome to Avignon. During that time, the papal courts developed a taste for the local wine and promoted viticulture throughout the region. Wines from this region came to be known first as Vin du Pape and later as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which you can taste on our Provence itineraries.

Land near a river, naturally protected by mountain ranges, inspired winemakers to plant vineyards along the Douro, but wild landscapes and nutrient-poor soil made this an extremely difficult task. The birthplace of Port wine would simply not exist today if it hadn’t been for the centuries of determined winegrowers who laboriously carved rows of vines into the steep, dramatic terrain.

Our Enticing Douro itinerary cruises through all three sub-regions, giving you a taste of Northern Portugal’s famous Ports and table wines. The process used to make Port wine depends on brandy being added to partially fermented grape must – the juice that contains the fruit, seeds and stems. This halts fermentation, leaving sugar in the mixture and results in a sweeter wine with a higher alcohol content. This vinification process was discovered in 1678 and is still used to this day. Ruby, Tawny and Vintage are three of the most prevalent styles produced.

Another of northern Portugal’s most famous wines is called Vinho Verde, which translates as “young wine.” Intended to be enjoyed within a year of bottling, these distinct wines are created from several local grape varieties. While the unique aromatic and effervescent whites are wildly popular, the fresh and fruity roses and rich reds are also a delight.

Brilliant architectural masterpieces and vine-strung hillsides on the Upper Danube River have inspired artistic creations for hundreds of years. Among others, our signature Romantic Danube and Melodies of the Danube itineraries journey through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, enabling our guests to experience some of the most celebrated wines and sights in the heartland of Europe.

Austria’s Wachau Valley has gained worldwide recognition for its Grüner Veltliner white grape variety. Planted throughout Austria’s vineyards, those coveted vines bring yellow-green berries to fruition. These wines achieve many levels of quality and taste, ranging from acidic and zesty in their youth to complex and nutty as they age. One thing that these varieties have in common is their ability to complement meals.

Boasting peach and green apple aromas, the Rieslings of Austria are often dry and crisp. With a perfect climate, these wines develop to full ripeness and are world-renowned among white wines.

The Lower Danube River flows south through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. Our Gems of Southeast Europe itinerary features several wine tastings, including within Hungary’s Szekszárd region – one of the oldest red wine growing areas in the country. The Tokaj wine region located in northeastern Hungary and southeastern Slovakia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the region’s sweet botrytized wines are world-renowned.

White wines such as Traminac and Graševina reign in Ilok, Croatia, where centuries-old winegrowing hills date back to Roman times. The local Serbian favorite – Seherezada – is poured often at the Podrum Panajotovic Winery in Belgrade, but you will also find delicious plum brandy on shore. And in Rousse, Bulgaria, the wine house we visit combines ancient natural winemaking practice with more contemporary technical developments to produce its wines.

The Rheingau is perhaps the most popular of German wine regions. Because the Rhine River expands in some areas amounting to small “lakes” that produce humidity and heat, the river’s edge offers the ideal conditions for vines to grow. Like much of Germany, dry Rieslings prevail here, but so does Pinot Noir for those who prefer dry and antioxidant-rich reds.

The Alsace region in France, which we visit in Strasbourg and Riquewihr on many of our itineraries, including Captivating Rhine and Enchanting Rhine, also produces noteworthy dry Rieslings as well as highly aromatic Gewurztraminer wines and Cremant d’Alsace, a popular sparkling wine. Alsatian wine is very much about aroma and distinct hints of peaches and flowers abound. Oak aging is not used in this region – rather, producers rely on ripeness and alcohol to enrich the texture and flavor.

The Rhine River also has a long brewing tradition. A clear, all-barley pale brew (one of the palest German beers, in fact) with a bright, straw-yellow hue – Kölsch beer has a characteristically fruity flavor, is subtle and light in body as much as appearance and is celebrated for its wonderful hoppiness. First produced in 1906 in Cologne, Kölsch is protected by the German government and only specified brewers are allowed to legally call their lagers Kölsch. It is always served in a narrow glass called a Stange and best toasted with the local exclamation, “Prost!”

Famous for its winding river, the Moselle wine region is considered the oldest in Germany, with historic wine presses found dating back to Roman times. Unlike other wine regions, the Moselle is unique in that many of its vineyards grow at sharp angles—in fact, the world’s steepest vineyard is in the Moselle Valley! The climate and hills also lend themselves to periods of intense fog that produce “noble rot,” a strangely beneficial fungus that creeps onto grapes and results in sweeter wines, including much-lauded German Rieslings.

From spring through autumn, charming local festivals in river towns with half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets celebrate the fruits of their vineyards’ labor with pageants, hikes, tastings and fireworks, making a trip ashore almost as unforgettable as your scenic cruise.

Local legends surrounding Moselle wines prevail in the region, including that of a black cat who once hissed at people approaching one of the wine barrels from the Moselle village of Zell, which were, at the time, stored in a regional cellar. Ever since, wine bottles from Zell have featured a black cat on their label. In addition, on our Moselle Wine Cruises you will likely hear of the 14th-century Bernkasteler “doctor” who healed the Elector of Trier with his miraculous elixir – and we, too, encourage you to sample his delicious wines.

Franconian wines have been grown along the Main River in Germany for more than 1,200 years. In addition to their flavor profile, the wines of this region are distinctive in that they are often bottled in a short-necked green Bocksbeutel, described as a “flattened ellipsoid” shape – and the wines have been poured from these since at least the early 18th century. Peach-flavored with herbal undertones, Silvaner, a white wine nicknamed the “King of Franken,” is quite popular here, as is Müller-Thurgau, a cross between Riesling and Madeleine Royale, created in 1882.

The Main River is also known for its brewing tradition. In English, Rauchbier means “smoked beer.” This traditional German beverage achieves a deliciously distinct and smoky flavor. For centuries, brewers have been drying malted barley over an open flame to create this unique taste. Along the Regnitz River which converges into the Main, Bamberg, Germany is recognized for producing the best smoked beers in Europe, which you will have the opportunity to taste as part of the included Special Interest Tour on our Europe’s Rivers & Castles itinerary