River Cruise Tips for Wine-Lovers
As river lines continue to expand their fleets and look for new passengers to fill their ships, wine river cruises have become a savvy way to lure oenophile first timers, many of whom might not have considered a cruise before.
Wine river cruises generally generally involve river cruise line partnering with a vineyard or wine expert, who will deliver expert lectures and tastings during the cruise. This winery also usually sells a certain amount of wine to the ship, to be used for special programs or dinners.
You don't have to be an expert to have fun on a wine river cruise. Most passengers enjoy wine, but few are at the level of fanatic or collector (although if you don't like wine at all, the cruise might seem dull). The demographic may skew younger than a traditional river cruise, too, with more passengers in their 40s and 50s than you'd normally see. Plus, a wine cruise might be one of the best vacations if you have a group of wine-loving friends. You get many of the benefits of a vineyard visit, without having to drive home. We'll raise a glass to that.
On This Page
Best Time for Wine River Cruises is Typically During Harvest
Wine river cruises take place most often during the shoulder season, as that's when river cruise lines have more difficulty filling their ships. But as popularity has grown, you'll find some now taking place during the summer, too.
The best time to take a wine river cruise is undoubtedly the harvest season in September and October, as your cruise line might have excursions that take advantage of local festivals. Beginning in November, the weather in central Europe can become gray and chilly; without the cheer of the Christmas Markets to warm you, sailings in this month can be bleak.
March and April river cruises can also be rainy, and that's also when Europe's rivers are most susceptible to high water, due to snow melt in the Alps. In France's Rhone region, the chilly mistral wind can also make spring cruises quite blustery.
Within the United States, the Pacific Northwest has its best weather after July 4 through the end of September. Other months can be extremely drizzly and chilly.
A Range of Lines Now Offer Wine River Cruises
River cruise lines that offer themed cruises for wine-lovers include AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Tauck, Uniworld, Viking River Cruises and Vantage. Some other lines, such as Scenic, does not have wine itineraries, per se, but offers culinary river cruises that include a strong wine component.
A Wide Selection of Wine River Cruise Itineraries are Available
It's not surprising that most wine cruises choose river itineraries that border famous grape-growing regions. That's because in addition to the wines provided by the partner vineyard, the cruise line usually offers shore excursions and culinary experiences that tap into local varietals, so you get the best of both worlds.
Bordeaux: French wine country river cruises aee a slam dunk for wine-lovers. Wine river cruises in Bordeaux generally focus on red wine -- the cabernet sauvignon and merlots that make the area famous -- as well as the sauternes sweet wines. River cruises typically sail round trip from Bordeaux, stopping in Cadillac, Pauillac and Libourne.
Danube: Cruises that run on the Danube spend most of their time in Austria, which is known for Riesling and Gruner Veltliner. Stops include Vienna, Budapest, Melk and Linz, the latter a gateway to Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov.
Douro: In Portugal, the Douro River is famous for the red grapes used to make the country's famous fortified wine, port. Highlights include a day in Salamanca and other stops at wine estates.
Pacific Northwest: The main region for U.S. wine-themed river cruises, the Pacific Northwest draws connoisseurs of Washington Syrahs and Oregon pinot noirs. Stops include the coastal city of Astoria, creative Portland and the gorgeous Columbia River Gorge.
Rhine and Moselle: "Mother Mosel" and "Father Rhine" run through the heart of Germany's Riesling wine region. Popular wine towns include Rudesheim, Koblenz and Cochem.
Rhone: Wine cruises on the Rhone River delve into varietals used for the area's blends, such as Syrah and Grenache, as well as the Gamay grape used in Beaujolais wines. Expect stops at popular Provence towns such as Arles, Avignon and Lyon.
Seine: France's Seine doesn't flow through a wine region, but that hasn't stopped river cruise lines from offering wine-themed cruises along it. Stops include Rouen, Giverney and the Normandy D-Day beaches.
Wine River Cruise Highlights Include Tastings, Lectures and Harvest Celebrations
Here are some activities you might find on a wine-themed cruise.
Tastings and lectures: It's fairly normal for there to be at least one wine tasting on river cruises that travel through a famous region. But on a wine theme cruise, you will have multiple tastings, many centered on the visiting vineyard that has brought bottles onboard, just for the occasion. Or you might have a tasting that compares a U.S. varietal with its European counterpart, i.e., a Bordeaux put up against a California cabernet sauvignon. Expect, too, lectures about the best way to taste wine or ones on even more esoteric topics such as biodynamic farming.
Wine Paired Dinner: Wine complements food, and most wine-themed cruises include at least one dinner where each course is paired with a matching vintage.
Wine Outings in Port: On your wine-themed cruise, you might find extra vineyard visits or an outing to a local chateau, estate or wine cellar. These give passengers the chance to learn more about local grapes and how the local culture perceives wine.
Wine Loving Passengers: Finally, your favorite part of a wine-themed cruise might be simply the fact that you're cruising with others who share the same passion.
Wine River Cruise Tips for First Time Cruisers
Expertise is not required: Afraid that your swirl isn't up to snuff? Don't be. Contrary to popular belief, wine-lovers tend to be more social than snobby, and few cruisers have advanced degrees, experience or significant cellars of their own.
But you should drink: That being said, a wine cruise is not the best option for you if you don't consume alcohol or are offended by those who do.
Choose your winery carefully: Because wine-themed cruises draw heavily from the participating winery's email list, the passengers onboard will likely represent that vineyard's demographic. If you're liberal, for example, a laid-back winery from Oregon's Willamette Valley might be a better fit than one that's based in Virginia's Horse Country. Likewise, if you tend to shop in the budget aisle for your wine, you might feel out of place on a cruise hosted by a high-end vineyard where bottles start at around $50/£50.