Our trip across the Atlantic Ocean to Tenerife, Canary Islands took us eight days. After spending two days in Tenerife we headed back out to sea. As we cruised into April month it brought us to the Mediterranean Sea, and onwards to Spain. The day before we arrived in the Mediterranean Sea, we attended a lunch that was advertised as a Fine Wine Tasting. I can not think of a better way to have welcomed the arrival of April than tasting fine wines.
Time to Taste Some Wines
During the tasting we were introduced to six premium wines paired with tapas.
Head Sommelier Radu Ilisecu introduced us to six wines from different wine regions around the world.
We began with a Champagne.
Wine 1: Veuve Clicquot, Brut Champagne, France NV
I am always excited to begin a wine tasting with a glass of Champagne. In this case it was a Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne (gold-yellow label). They have been producing its distinctive gold-yellow label since the late 19th century. Veuve Clicquot, one of the largest Champagne houses, was founded in 1772 in Reims by Philippe Clicquot under the label Clicquot. Philippe was joined by his son, François Clicquot, who became the head of the Champagne house in 1798. Seven years later, due to the untimely death of François, his young widow, Barbe Ponsardin, just 27 years old, took over the family business. The Champagne house would later be renamed in her honor: Veuve Clicquot (The Widow Clicquot).
Madame Clicquot is credited with major breakthroughs including, the first known vintage champagne in 1810, inventing the riddling table in 1816, and producing the first known blended rosé champagne in 1818. She played an important role in establishing Champagne as a favored drink of European high society and nobility. The company was purchased in 1986 by Louis Vuitton (part of the LVMH group since 1987), and it continues to expand worldwide.
Wine 2: Cloudy Bay, Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand 2022
This 2022 Cloudy Bay, Sauvignon Blanc has won numerous awards and it sure tastes awesome!
Wine 3: Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch, Chardonnay, California 2021
2021 Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch, Chardonnay from California's Carneros is an amazing wine. It gest top reviews by critics and non-critics.
After three awesome white wines we would next taste three 2019 vintages of red wines. A California Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir, A Mendoza Bordeaux style Malbec blend, and a Cabernet Sauvignon from California's Napa Valley.
Wine 4: WALT Clos Pepe, Pinot Noir, Santa Rita, California 2019
2019 WALT Clos Pepe, Pinot Noir from California's Santa Rita Hills is a Pinot Noir loved by both critics and non-critics.
Wine 5: Bodegas Caro Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina 2019
Bodegas Caro Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina 2019 © Spaswinefood
Caro Malbec is joint project by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and Nicolas Catena.
This Bordeaux inspired blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon gets great reviews.
Wine 6: Joseph Phelps, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California 2019
The tasting concluded with 2019 Joseph Phelps, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. Again a wine with top reviews!
Just a Few More Details
It was great to have these tastings led by Radu Ilisecu.
Of course special thanks to Excutive Chief, Davide Menabo and his team for the delicious tapas plates.
The tapa plates served during the tasting included the following:
What is a wine tasting with tapas without some pasta.
Of course there was dessert.
Thanks to Head Sommelier Radu Ilisecu and Excutive Chief, Davide Menabo, and their teams for making this happen.
Over the course of our cruise we got to know the sommeliers who work in the various restaurants throughout the ship.
Cruising the Pacific: Wine and Food © Spaswinefood
Indeed cruising calls for fine wines amid the waves. On a personal note, I loved being introduced to wines during our recent cruises, and stops in port. While typically my wine country travels takes me to wine regions around the world, it sure is fun to have wine adventures at sea. It certainly added excitement to those sea days, which are numerous on a repositioning cruise. I invite you to join me in my wine travels at sea and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Bluesky and Facebook. I am so looking forward to sharing more on my vine-filled explorations.
CHEERS!
Sharon
April 2025
A day from Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona Cruise
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