Top-luxury cruise brand Silversea announced its new wine programme. Selected by company’s expert Wine Ambassador, Lawrence d’Almeida, nearly 160 different wines populate line’s wine selection, that is praised by wine experts for including one of the biggest choices of complimentary wines onboard any cruise ship, with about 70 different labels.
World's major wine regions are represented in Silversea's complimentary range, along with major wine grapes, yet Italian wines are well-represented as an homage to the heritage of the line.
When relevant to the visited destination, local wines are added to the wine selection, enabling passengers to sail deeper via sampling fine wines from around the world.
Departing on October 18 and arriving on October 31, 2018 Silver Whisper sails between Lisbon and Fort Lauderdale FL for Silversea’s next wine cruise, for which the line partnered with Comitato Grandi Cru d’Italia and American Fine Wine Competition.
The trip introduces passengers to both ‘new world’ and ‘old world’ wines, in line with the movement of the ship across the Atlantic. First, travellers are able to sample 33 varieties of high-class Italian wines, provided by Comitato Grandi Cru d’Italia committee that unites top Italian wineries to promote the prestige of country’s most illustrious wines.
Additional 19 varieties of the best wines in America are available, due to Silversea’s partnership with American Fine Wine Competition. Journalists, wine magazine publishers, co-founders of American Fine Wine Competition (AFWC), Vintners, Monty and Sara Preiser of Napa and Florida join the cruise as instructors and hosts. The Preisers are expected to present AFWC’s Double Gold Medal-winning wines and bottles from the ‘Winery of the Year’ to passengers of the trip.
Illustrious members of ASPI sommelier association, Gennaro Buono and Giuseppe Vaccarini, former best sommelier in Italy and best sommelier in the world respectively, each join a segment of the transatlantic cruise. Vaccarini is expected to accompany guests on wine-related shore trips, while Buono is to host an accredited propaedeutic sommelier course.
A further 4 wine cruises are scheduled for 2019:
- Departing from Auckland January 20-February 2, flagship Silver Muse hosts the first wine cruise of 2019. The trip, hosted by Lawrence d’Almeida, introduces passengers to a variety of wines and vintages in intimate environment. In New Zealand, passengers are able to enjoy half-day tour of Gisborne wine region, along with a tour of Marlborough region and trips to wineries in Picton. In Australia, they can experience a trip to Ghost Rock Vineyards.
- On February 2, Silver Whisper departs Sydney for Benoa (Bali), arriving February 16. Also hosted by expert Wine Ambassador, the 2-week trip visits Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Komodo. A variety of carefully selected Australian wines is added to Silversea's complimentary wine selection. Travelers can enjoy a private tour of Sirromet Winery, Queensland.
- Silver Cloud sails between Lisbon-Amsterdam (May 1-May 13) to some of the prime winemaking regions in Europe. Calling at Oporto, Gijon, La Coruna, Bilbao, Belle Ile, Bordeaux, Saint Malo, Douarnenez, Le Havre, the 12-day cruise incorporates opportunities to try fine gastronomy from across the continent. In Bordeaux, guests can enjoy an overnight stay. Silversea’s Wine Ambassador selects different wines from each of the countries on the itinerary.
- Between May 19-June 2, Silver Whisper sails between London and Barcelona, visiting Honfleur, Bordeaux, Le Verdon (Bordeaux), Saint Malo, Bilbao, Lisbon, Cadiz, Malaga. Along the way, passengers are able to participate in 2019 edition of line's onboard accredited sommelier course and leave with recognised qualification. Throughout the voyage, they can also partake in tours of prominent wineries.