Hi Rick, do try wines from New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Chile, South Africa as well as the European ones when you travel, I forgot California might stick to its own wines.
Yes, on the river cruises you will have regional wines available. At dinner red and white wine will be offered automatically. However, you can request the wine menu and order something different (and in my and my husband's experience) perhaps more upscale and to your liking. Also, you can ask them to decant the wine. We are not wine professionals, but we know a fair amount about wines (particularly French and Italian). We generally were impressed by the selections on the wine menu and the opportunity to try something we cannot get at home.
Thanks for this info! Were the wines on the wine menu an upcharge? I know everything is supposed to be covered but it would make sense if the wines on the list came with an additional price.
We, as well, never paid for any wine. Several times I requested a glass (or two) of wines served at one of the wine pairing dinners and never had to pay.
If you have the opportunity to have some German pinot noir, be sure to get it. It rarely is imported to the US because not much is produced. However, it is a great wine.
On our River Cruise there were usually two new wines introduced with dinner. On one occasion a gentleman at our table told our waiter that he preferred the wine served on the previous evening. Within minutes, a bottle of that wine was brought to our table. It was very good service, with a smile.
We had a very similar experience, Alina. And yes, the service has always been impeccable.
To hopefully dispel some misinformation/differing opinions, in the 2026 River Cruising brochure Tauck reiterates that beverages, including all wines, are complimentary. Skål.
Comments
Hi Rick, do try wines from New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Chile, South Africa as well as the European ones when you travel, I forgot California might stick to its own wines.
Yes, on the river cruises you will have regional wines available. At dinner red and white wine will be offered automatically. However, you can request the wine menu and order something different (and in my and my husband's experience) perhaps more upscale and to your liking. Also, you can ask them to decant the wine. We are not wine professionals, but we know a fair amount about wines (particularly French and Italian). We generally were impressed by the selections on the wine menu and the opportunity to try something we cannot get at home.
Thanks for this info! Were the wines on the wine menu an upcharge? I know everything is supposed to be covered but it would make sense if the wines on the list came with an additional price.
Yes an upcharge
There was no extra charge for the wines on the wine menu. All drinks are included in the river cruise tours.
We, as well, never paid for any wine. Several times I requested a glass (or two) of wines served at one of the wine pairing dinners and never had to pay.
There is no extra charge for wines in the river cruises, whether you drink the ones offered at the table or order a different one.
If you have the opportunity to have some German pinot noir, be sure to get it. It rarely is imported to the US because not much is produced. However, it is a great wine.
Going through my photos and found this from our recent Ponant cruise of wines by the dining room
On our River Cruise there were usually two new wines introduced with dinner. On one occasion a gentleman at our table told our waiter that he preferred the wine served on the previous evening. Within minutes, a bottle of that wine was brought to our table. It was very good service, with a smile.
We had a very similar experience, Alina. And yes, the service has always been impeccable.
To hopefully dispel some misinformation/differing opinions, in the 2026 River Cruising brochure Tauck reiterates that beverages, including all wines, are complimentary. Skål.
Great picture, British! We are going on a Rhine River cruise in a couple of months. I may to ask to see the wine cooler/cellar.
We have seen wine bottle displays at the back of the Compass Rose by the elevator. I can’t recall if they are on every boat—those we have been on.