Un-Wine’d at Sea:

Whether it’s a light Pinot Grigio, or an intense Cabernet Sauvignon, a nice glass of your favorite palate pleaser is sure to help you un-wine’d.  And where better to indulge in some terrific wine than at sea!  That’s right; you can combine your love for wine and waves with a taste and tour cruise getaway.  Nowadays, many cruise lines offer itineraries combining all the luxuries of a cruise with exciting visits to wineries and vineyards all over the world; some of which are only accessable via cruise ship.

Wine connoisseurs and amateurs alike will delight in this experimental and enlightening experience.  Depending on the cruise line, amenities such as guides, seminars, transportation and food may be available to enhance the tastings and tours.  But who says you have to leave the ship to sample new and exciting tastes?  To fully relax and un-wine’d, you may choose to enjoy a savory meal, where each course is paired with a wine to complement. Or, become one with your deck chair while enjoying your favorite glass of merlot.

Un-Wine’d in Europe:

This beautiful wine region encompasses a portion of the Eastern side of France.  Sub-divided into communes, Burgundy includes The Côtes de Nuits and Côtes de Beaune, known as the Cote d’Or and home to famed wine villages like Gevrey-Chambertin, among many others.  The wines of Burgundy became popular during the Middle Ages, thanks to the Monks of Cluny.  As the driving force behind Burgundy’s development, the monks acquired more and more vineyards, eventually enabling them to have almost monopolistic control over most of the region.

Check out this tour:

Burgundy Vineyard Walk
Next scheduled tour is October 5^th-11^th, 2008
This tour begins in Gevrey-Chambertin and will continue south through the many famed vineyards of Burgundy.  As you visit each one, you’ll treat your palate to a variety of appellations from well-known growers.

Tuscany is home to a host of little hilltop towns, each surrounded by a beautiful countryside and of course, vineyards.  Tuscany has played a huge role in the Italian wine revolution over the last 20 years, being one of the first to introduce world-class vino di tavola from international grape varieties.  To the west in San Gimignano, you’ll find the most famous white wines of the region.  Red wines are found south of Siena in Montalcino, where you’ll discover renowned Brunello wines, and to the east in Montepulciano, which features “Vino Nobiles”.

Check out this tour:

Brunello di Montalcino
Ongoing – various dates available
One of the most famous wines in the world is no doubt Brunello di Montalcino.  This day-long tour will showcase the origins and evolution of the Brunello wine and includes a fabulous winery tour and tasting.  The afternoon will conclude with a walk through the windy streets of Montalcino, where more Brunello sampling can take place in the Fortress Enoteca wine shop.

Portugal is home to the oldest appellation system in the world; the Douro Valley.  Combined with the Vinho Verde region, they produce some of the world’s most elite wines.  The country has even been described as having “a treasure trove of indigenous grape varieties”.  A growing player in wine production, Portugal won’t be slowing down anytime soon and should easily maintain its international success.

Check out this tour:

Douro Vineyard Walk
Next scheduled tour is September 6^th-13^th, 2009
Travel off the beaten path and explore the incredible countryside of Portugal.  This tour will focus on the new wave of table wines being introduced by up and coming winemakers. Tour groups can look forward to exploring the many vineyards and villages of the Douro Valley, both on foot and by train.  They will also enjoy tasting the exquisite wines and Port that the country is famous for.