Showing posts with label Italian Wines. Show all posts

Friday, July 31, 2026

Cinque Terre: A tourist favorite and one of Italy's oldest winemaking regions

Cinque Terre, on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline, is home to five historic towns (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore). Its coastline villages with pastel colored home perched on cliffs overlooking the sea, and the surrounding historic terraced vineyards on hillsides, are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park (established in October 1999) which, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site two years later. During our Mediterranean cruise last spring I took a one day tour of Cinque Terre. The tour included visiting three of those villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore). Ideally you need more time however, even on a tight time line, it was a good intro to Monterosso, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore.

Cinque Terre, Italy © Spaswinefood

Cinque Terre a top tourist attraction is one of Italy’s oldest winemaking regions. This region produces wine following a painstaking process, which has not changed much since Roman times. I loved the fact that the tour included a wine tasting, and some time on your own to enjoy some of the local cuisine.

During my March visit the weather was ideal. I would recommend visiting Cinque Terre in the shoulder seasons (spring or fall) when the weather is generally good because there are fewer tourists. In this post I will share some vignettes from my brief tour.

Off to Visit Cinque Terre's Villages

We traveled from Livorno's port to La Spezia where we continued onto Monterosso, the western most village in Cinque Terre. Since vehicles can not travel beyond Monterosso visitors to Cinque Terre villages they must visit by train or boat to reach destinations beyond this point. For those with more time to explore Cinque Terre there are cliffside hiking trail links the villages, and offers sweeping sea vistas. For sure visitors delight in seeing its seaside villages with colorful houses and vineyards clinging to steep terraces. The harbors of Cinque Terra villages are filled with fishing boats. Its trattorias offer seafood specialties, and pastas with Liguria region’s famous sauce, pesto.

Since Monterosso al Mare was the first village that we toured I will begin there, followed by Vernazza, and Riomaggiore.

Monterosso al Mare

As soon as we arrived we were off the bus, and walking down the cliffside to our first village stopover.

Monterosso is the largest of the five villages.

Arriving at Monterosso © Spaswinefood

As our local guide who took us on a tour of the village, she explained details along the way. Our first encounter was with a retired professor, a friend of the guide, who lives in the village.

Meeting a Friend, Monterosso © Spaswinefood

We were introduced to how the local vineyards are managed in a steep terrace environment. The village is known for its white wines, grapes, and olives. Many lemon trees can be seen throughout Monterosso.

While touring Old Town we stopped by a tower.

Monterosso Old Town Tower © Spaswinefood

In the same plaza there was a church.

Church, Monterosso © Spaswinefood

After a very brief introduction we continued onto the harbor to take in views of Old Town and the ocean.

Touring Monterosso © Spaswinefood

During our walk we visited an overlook point where I enjoyed taking in views Old Town and the ocean.

Sea View: Monterosso © Spaswinefood

After our walkabout I went back to an area, not far from the meet up point.

Old Town, Monterosso © Spaswinefood

Monterosso is the only town that allows vehicles in town.

Street View, Monterosso © Spaswinefood

I had time to enjoy coffee and a snack at a local cafe.

Time for Coffee: Monterosso © Spaswinefood

While in town I noticed an advertisement for wine tasting and a cooking class. The Cinque Terre is know for its pesto.

Experiences offered in Monterosso © Spaswinefood

After touring around town on my own I returned to the designated meet up point, at the tunnel entrance. Then we were off to the Train station on the other side of the tunnel.

Tunnel Entrance to Monterosso Train Station © Spaswinefood

Monterosso Train Station © Spaswinefood

Vernazza

Not long after boarding the train we arrived in Vernazza, an historical fishing village. Vernazza's colorful houses surround its small marina.

Welcome to Vernazza © Spaswinefood

After a brief introduction by our guide off we went on our own to explore. Even on an early spring time morning there were plenty of tourists out and about.

Exploring Vernazza © Spaswinefood

Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, Vernazza © Spaswinefood

The historic Santa Margherita di Antiochia Church (shown in the center of above photo), stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Ligurian Sea, just off the main square, Piazza Guglielmo Marconi. The church was built in 1318 in Gothic-Ligurian style. Its distinctive 40-meter-high octagonal bell tower is topped with an elegant cupola. The church is dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antioch, the patron saint of Vernazza.

Side Street, Vernazza © Spaswinefood

During my walkout about I spotted plenty of souvenir type shops. Of course there was a wine shop, Enoteca La Cantina Del Molo.

Enoteca, Vernazza © Spaswinefood

It was recommended to try the gelato and I did.

Gelateria Vernazza © Spaswinefood

All too soon it was time to head to the pick up point.

Marina, Vernazza © Spaswinefood

After further explorations, I went to the marine to take a boat to our next village.

Waiting for a Boat: Vernazza © Spaswinefood

Soon we were off to our next stop Riomaggiore.

Traveling from Vernazza to Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood

Riomaggiore al Mare

It was not long before we were arriving in Riomaggiore, the most southern village in Cinque Terre.

Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre © Spaswinefood

The town climbs up along the ridges overlooking the sea.

Colorful Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood

It is captivating as Riomaggiore's stone houses with colored façades and slate-roofs come into full view.

Arriving in Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood

Upon arrival we disembark, and are off to discover some of the village's delights.

Off to Explore Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood

We begin with a stroll through the historic center.

Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood

Upon arrival at our third village we had a wine tasting at Enoteca Internazionale. It was my opportunity to sample the local juice, Enoteca Internazionale in Monterosso’s old town, and opt for a flight of five Cinque Terre red or white wines–one from each town.

Enoteca Internazionale, Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood

For our tasting there were two white wines available for tasting.

Wine Tasting at Enoteca Internazionale © Spaswinefood

Enoteca Internazionale, Monterosso © Spaswinefood

I took a closer look at one of the wines poured.

Sassarini, Vendemmia Cinque Terre DOC 2024

Sassarini, Vendemmia Cinque Terre DOC 2024 © Spaswinefood

It was a delight into to Cinque Terre wines. Besides the wines there were some local food samples to try, including its famous pesto sauce. Cinque Terre is the bithplace of pesto.

Tasting Local Food & Wines © Spaswinefood

I did take notice of wine tasting options offered at Enoteca Internazionale. Perhaps you might prefer to opt for a flight of five Cinque Terre red or white wines (one from each town).

Wine Tasting Offering at Enoteca Internazionale © Spaswinefood

After the wine tasting I explored the village a little before lunch.

Exploring Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood

Part of the charm of exploring Riomaggiore was discovering the best option for lunch. Given I had met up with a few new friends on the tour I joined for lunch at a local restaurant. We ordered a pasta for lunch.

Pasta with Pesto Sauce, Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood

Pasta, Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood

After an awesome lunch I still had a little time to explore the village some more.

One of my stops included a church, Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista (Church of St John the Baptist) located on Piazza don Giovanni Minzoni. Its construction began in the 1200s, and was completed in 1307. While there are a number of churches in Riomaggiore, this two colored stone (striking façade of horizontal dark green and white marble stripes) church is well worth visiting.

Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista

Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista, Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood

All too soon, it was time to return to our pickup point.

Seaside at Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood

As I left for the meetup point near the train station, I took another look at those stunning cliffside terraces and ocean views.

Remembering Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood

Soon we were on the train, and heading back to La Spezia where the bus was waiting to take us to our cruise ship in Livorno's port. I was so exited that I managed to make it to Cinque Terre during our stops in the Mediterranean Sea. For a more in-depth introduction to Cinque Terre I would recommend at least a 2-3 day visit. This would allow for a more in-depth exploration of this historic region, walking the hiking trails, exploration of its gastronomic delights and more. I invite you to join me in my 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

March, 2026

Cinque Terre, Italy

Cruising Meditteranean

Ligurian Sea, Cinque Terre © Spaswinefood

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Thursday, July 2, 2026

A Tuscan wine dinner wine at sea: Inspired by Frescobaldi

Our trip across the Atlantic Ocean to the Canary Islands took us eight days from Rio de Janeiro. After spending two days in the Canary Islands of Tenerife and Lanzarote we headed back out to sea. As we cruised towards Casablanca, Morocco, and onwards to Spain, we attended a wine tasting that was advertised as a Tuscan Wine Dinner. I can not think of a better way to have welcomed our arrival to Morocco and beyond than tasting Tuscan wines. Let me share a Tuscan wine dinner wine at sea that was inspired by Frescobaldi.

Ready to be Inspired by Frescobaldi, Tuscan Wine Dinner © Spaswinefood

The Frescobaldi family have been producing wine in Tuscany for seven hundred years, dating back to the early 1300s. Today Fescobaldi can be described as an umbrella for many wineries in Italy. Frescobaldi owns nine wineries with a total vineyard area of 850 hectares, in Tuscany in various DOC and DOCG areas, and in Friuli. We were introduced to wines from some of their wineries during dinner.

A Tuscan Wine Dinner: Inspired by Frescobaldi

Tuscan Wine Dinner, Sabatini's © Spaswinefood

Dinner began with La Cala Vermentino wine paired with an antipasto plate.

Sella & Mosca, La Cala Vermentino Di Sardegna DOC, 2023

Sella & Mosca, La Cala Vermentino Di Sardegna DOC, 2023 © Spaswinefood

I loved the aromatic, crispness, and minimality of this 100% Vermentino from the Sella & Mosca estate vineyards in Alghero, Sardinia, Italy.

Antipasto Plate

Our antipasto plate options included:

1. Carpaccio di Mare Mediterrano

2. Bruschetta (Vegetarian Option)

Carpaccio di Mare Mediterrano and Bruschetta (Vegetarian)

Our next wine was a delicious rosé wine.

Frescobaldi, Tenuta Ammiraglia Alie Rosé Toscana

Frescobaldi, Tenuta Ammiraglia Alie Rose Toscana

This is an elegant, highly-acclaimed Italian rosé produced at Frescobaldi's coastal Tenuta Ammiraglia estate in Maremma, Tuscany. The wine is a blend of Syrah and Vermentino grapes.

Primi Piatti

Our first plate paired with the rosé wine included:

Polpo con Presto Rosso e Gnocchi di Spinoca

Tuscan Soup (vegetarian option)

I fell in love Tuscan soup during my first trip to Tuscan wine country in 2011. It is the soup made primarily with tomatoes, Italian bread and kale however, there are also heartier versions of this soup.

Secondi Piatti

Our second plate was paired with two wines.

1. Frescobaldi, Castello di Nipozzano Mormoreto IGT Tuscana

2. Frescobaldi Pomino, Castello Pomino Bianco DOC

Frescobaldi, Castello di Nipozzano Mormoreto IGT Tuscana

I loved the opportunity to taste both of these wines with my second plate.

These wines were paired with the following dishes:

Tagliata Di Manzo con Rucola e Scaglie Di Parmigano

Dolci

Our last plate was dessert. The wine was: Donnafrugata, Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria, Sicily.

Donnafrugata, Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria, Sicily

Pinolta Senese is a light tuscan pine nut cake with custard creme. It was paired with Donnafrugata Passito. Whenever I get the opportunity I always enjoy Donnafrugata's Ben Rye Passito. It brings me back to 2014, the first I had this Donnafrugata wine in Sicily.

They also served crunchy almond biscotti with Frescobaldi grappa.

Dinner was quite an awesome gastronomic adventure with Frescobaldi wines.

Of course the setting, the service, and the wine and food ensured a most delightful dinner. I would highly recommend doing a Tuscan wine dinner while cruising.

Amongst the wines offered at Sabatini's are Frescobaldi wines, which are on display as you enter the restaurant.

Years ago we first visited Tuscany and since then have enjoyed Tuscan wines over the years; so it was great to attend a wine dinner featuring Tuscan wines. We certainly enjoyed the Frescobaldi wines while cruising towards Casablanca, Morocco from the Canary Islands. Earlier while in the Canary Islands we went on Tenerife and Lanzarote wine adventures before we headed back out to sea. I invite you to join me in my Atlantic Ocean 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.