Second day back at sea, after leaving Santa Cruz de Tenerife, we attended a wine tasting. That day we left the Atlantic Ocean behind, and entered the Mediterranean Sea. Our trip across the Atlantic Ocean to Tenerife, Canary Islands took us eight days. After Tenerife we headed back out to sea again. As we cruised into April month, it brought us to the Mediterranean Sea, and onwards to Spain. I can not think of a better way to welcome our arrival into the Mediterranean Sea than tasting wines from 'around the world'.
Rock of Gibraltar, Gibraltar © Spaswinefood
Welcome to the Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Strait of Gibraltar. This narrow strait, separating the Iberian Peninsula in Europe from Morocco in Africa, is just 14 km (9 mi) wide. As we left the Atlantic Ocean that morning I managed to spot the Rock of Gibraltar, which is a limestone mountain 426 meters (1,398 feet) high. Rock of Gibraltar located at the western entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, is within the British territory of Gibraltar. The rock serves as a fortress and contains a labyrinthine network of man-made tunnels, known as the Gibraltar Tunnels. Most of the Rock's upper area is a nature reserve, which is home to around 300 Barbary macaques. They are only wild monkeys on the European contintent, and a major tourist attraction.
Straits of Gibraltar © Spaswinefood
After passing into the Straits of Gibraltar we were off to a mid-day wine tasting. Soon we were gathered at Sabatini's for our last wine tasting on the cruise.
Ready To Taste Wines, Sabatini's, Sun Princess © Spaswinefood
Tasting Wines from Around the World
This time instead of a sit down lunch wine tasting centers were setup around the restaurant. Guests were invited to pickup a wine glass, a plate of fruit, cheese, meats etc., and move around the room discovering wines from around the world. The wines were from Argentina, Australia, Austria, California (US), France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand and Spain. There were 12 wines from nine countries around the world.
If you are curious about which wines from Austria and Spain we tasted, then let's take a look.
German and Austria Wines © Spaswinefood
Laurenz V, Singing Grüner Veltliner, Austria 2022
Laurenz V, Singing Grüner Veltliner, Austria 2022 © Spaswinefood
A great choice given Grüner Veltliner is Austria's best known white wine.
From Spain a Vivanco Tempranillo was also an excellent choice.
Vivanco Crianza, DOCa Rioja, Spain 2021
Vivanco Crianza, DOCa Rioja, Spain 2021 © Spaswinefood
These excellent Crianzas brought back earlier memories of visiting Rioja's Vivanco some years ago.
A German Riesling and an Argentine Malbec was on our tasting list.German Riesling and Argentine Malbec © Spaswinefood
Of course from Argentina there was a Malbec.
Catena, High Mountain Vines Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina 2019
Catena, High Mountain Vines Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina 2019 © Spaswinefood
Catena, High Mountain Vines Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina 2019 © Spaswinefood
It is hard to beat a Catena wine.
Of course from Germany it was a Riesling.
Selbach Oster, Sparkling Riesling, Mosel Germany 2022
Selbach Oster, Sparkling Riesling, Mosel Germany 2022 © Spaswinefood
This sparkling Riesling from the Mosel was a great choice.
Next up, was New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand always makes me think of Sauvignon Blanc, and of course there was one.
Lovelock, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2022
Lovelock, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2022 © Spaswinefood
This wine is from the organic certified Woolshed vineyard, Loveblock Farm, in the Lower Dashwood sub-region of Marborough’s Awatere Valley.
Of course let's not forget Australia's Shiraz.
Yangarra Estate Vineyards, PF Shiraz, Mclaren Vale, Australia 2022
Yangarra Estate Vineyards, PF Shiraz, Mclaren Vale, Australia 2022 © Spaswinefood
This Shiraz was sourced from six blocks within the estate (approximately 50% was grown on sand, 50% on ironstone). The grapes were destemmed and selectively sorted, with 50% whole berries. It underwent a wild yeast fermentation.
Who can forget France, home to so many great wines. We tasted two French wines, a white and a red.
Domaine Faiveley Montagny, Burgundy France 2022
Domaine Faiveley Montagny, Burgundy France 2022 © Spaswinefood
A most delightful white Burgundy.
La Nerthe, Les Cassagnes, Côtes du Rhône, France 2021
La Nerthe, Les Cassagnes, Côtes du Rhône, France 2021 © Spaswinefood
La Nerthe, Les Cassagnes, Côtes du Rhône, France 2021 © Spaswinefood
This Côtes du Rhône was outstanding. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre is the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, with Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise sometimes also in the blend.
From California there were two wines to taste, a Chardonnay and a Merlot.
Mer Soleil Chardonnay Reserve, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County 2021
Mer Soleil Chardonany Reserve, Saint Lucia Highlands, Monterey 2021 © Spaswinefood
Mer Soleil Chardonany Reserve, Saint Lucia Highlands, Monterey 2021 © Spaswinefood
The 2021 Mer Soleil Chardonnay Reserve from Santa Lucia Highlands is a popular chardonnay for its price point.
Murphy Goode, Merlot, California 2021
Murphy Goode, Merlot, California 2021 © Spaswinefood
This California Merlot is a popular wine for its price point.
Let's not forget Italy. We tasted two Italian wines, a white and a red.
Bianco Toscano, IGT, Italy
Bianco Toscano, IGT, Italy © SpaswinefoodBianco Toscano, IGT, Italy © Spaswinefood
Bianco Toscano IGT wine blends typically include Trebbiano Toscano and Verdicchio.
Villa Antinori, Chianti Classico Reserva DOCG, Italy 2021
Villa Antinori, Chianti Classico Reserva DOCG, Italy 2021 © Spaswinefood
No doubt Villa Antinori's Chianti Classico Reserva DOCG 2021 gets great reviews.
There was some discussion at the end of the wine tasting.Time for the Finale © Spaswinefood
This was a fun wine tasting. It was great getting to know the Sommeliers during our cruise.
I was first introduced to wine tasting offered while cruising last spring on our way back from Australia we took a repositioning cruise from Sydney to San Francisco. Fortunately on that cruise, I also discovered Food and Wine Pair Tastings. We attended more of these events during our Trans-Atlantic Travels from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona last March-April.
Pacific Cruising: Enjoying Wine and Food © Spaswinefood
While typically my wine country travels takes me to wine regions around the world it was fun to have wine adventures at sea. It certainly adds excitement to those sea days, which are numerous on a repositioning cruise.
Posing with Head Sommelier Radu Ilisecu, April 2, 2025 © Spaswinefood
I invite you to join me in my Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea travels 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 2, 2025
Mediterranean Sea
© Spaswinefood
Sunrise, Atlantic Ocean, March 2025 © Spaswinefood
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Straits of Gibraltar, April 2, 2025 © Spaswinefood
Bianco Toscano, IGT, Italy © Spaswinefood
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