Which classic wines are worth it?

[mevelandry]

Hello!

I've decided to order a package of classic wine for our cruise and from what I understand, you are allowed 1 bottle of wine per night from a list which is:


White Wines and Sparkling
Baccorosa Zonin Rose Piedmont, Italy
Beringer White Zinfandel California, USA
Tangley Oaks Chardonnay Napa Valley, USA
Pinot Grigio Albola Veneto, Italy
Selbach Riesling Kabinett Mosel, Germany
Zolo Torrontes Mendoza, Argentina
Hess Chardonnay Monterey California, USA
Kendall Jackson Chardonnay Vintner's Reserve California, USA
Castello del Poggio Moscato Lombardy, Italy
Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County, USA
Simi Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County, USA

Red Wines
Layer Cake Shiraz South Australia, Australia
Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles California, USA
Seven Daughter Pinot Noir California, USA
Centine Rosso Di Toscana Banfi, Italy
Tangley Oaks Merlot Coastal California, USA
Cune Crianza Rioja, Spain
Wolf Blass Cabernet Sauvignon South Australia, Australia
Zolo Malbec Mendoza, Argentina

I am from Canada (Quebec) and we don't have access to the same wines as the US, therefore it is hard for me to decide which wines in that list are worth it as I've never ever tried any of them.

Any kind of help from someone who knows their wine would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[MaleficentRN]

I think it's best if you ask the sommelier when you go to dinner. They can steer you in the right direction after inquiring about your taste preferences and your dinner order. Enjoy!

 

[mevelandry]

Oh, there's a chance I ask but I would really like to know a little bit more what to look for (or not).

The truth is, the other class of wine is probably better that the classics but I don't think we know enough about wine to make the difference.

 

[oumagic]

From that list, my wife and I like the Hess and Kendall Jackson Chardonnay's. We also like the Layer Cake Shiraz and Wolf Blass Cabernet. I have had that Pinot Noir and liked it, but my wife didn't but doesn't like a lot of pinot noir. I think I liked the Castle Rock, but am not positive that my memory is clear on that one.

 

[wilkeliza]

What do you like in a wine. That's the starting point many of us will need. Do you like smokey, fruity, flowery, dry, sweet, etc? Hard to say which wine is best for you with out knowing your preferences.

 

[phinz]

You can have as many bottles as you want from that list. They don't limit you to one bottle. We've had 2 in one sitting.

They're all worth it to me because I don't have to waste carry on space or pay a corkage on them.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

You can have as many bottles as you want from that list. They don't limit you to one bottle. We've had 2 in one sitting.

This is correct. While the wine packages are sold as as being for a certain number of nights, you are really purchasing that number of bottles. And you don't have to purchase the package that is the same number of bottles as nights of your cruise. You can purchase a "3 night package" on a 7 night cruise or a "7 night package" on a 4 night cruise, etc. If you want two bottles one night, that's fine. If you won't finish a full bottle in one night, your server can store the bottle or you can take the bottle back to your room with you.

A word of warning about the package, it's not necessarily a good deal depending on which bottles you pick. Some people find they save money buy purchasing bottles individually instead of the package. Also, by purchasing bottles individually, you have a lot more selection than what is on the wine package list. Just something to think about....

 

[OKW Lover]

My wife and I love our wines, but we're not so sophisticated that we can tell the subtle differences that are expected from the most expensive wines. I've made some notes below as to our favorites:

White Wines and Sparkling
Baccorosa Zonin Rose Piedmont, Italy --- Not a fan of Rose wines but Zonin is a good brand
Beringer White Zinfandel California, USA --- Pass on this one
Tangley Oaks Chardonnay Napa Valley, USA --- Nice Chardonnay
Pinot Grigio Albola Veneto, Italy --- A favorite.
Selbach Riesling Kabinett Mosel, Germany ---Good Riesling. Tends to be a bit sweet
Zolo Torrontes Mendoza, Argentina --- no experience
Hess Chardonnay Monterey California, USA ---pretty good
Kendall Jackson Chardonnay Vintner's Reserve California, USA --- pretty good
Castello del Poggio Moscato Lombardy, Italy --- no experience
Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County, USA --- no experien
Simi Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County, USA --- Good label, but we don't care for Sauvignon Blanc's.

Red Wines
Layer Cake Shiraz South Australia, Australia --- Shiraz is one of our favorite reds, Layer Cake is OK
Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles California, USA --- A good Cab
Seven Daughter Pinot Noir California, USA --- Pinot Noir is also a favored red. Give this one a try.
Centine Rosso Di Toscana Banfi, Italy --- no experience
Tangley Oaks Merlot Coastal California, USA --- no experience
Cune Crianza Rioja, Spain --- no experience
Wolf Blass Cabernet Sauvignon South Australia, Australia --- Good, not great.
Zolo Malbec Mendoza, Argentina --- no experience

 

[mevelandry]

What do you like in a wine. That's the starting point many of us will need. Do you like smokey, fruity, flowery, dry, sweet, etc? Hard to say which wine is best for you with out knowing your preferences.

Red: Fruity, sweety, not too acidic or dry. We usually like Pinot Noir. And Shiraz.

Rose: Fruity & sweet (don't like it dry)

White: I like riesling, pinot grigio and chardonnay.

 

[mevelandry]

You can have as many bottles as you want from that list. They don't limit you to one bottle. We've had 2 in one sitting.

They're all worth it to me because I don't have to waste carry on space or pay a corkage on them.

I picked a 3 bottles package? (3 nights)

And if you don't drink one night, you can have two the next day?

 

[mevelandry]

My wife and I love our wines, but we're not so sophisticated that we can tell the subtle differences that are expected from the most expensive wines. I've made some notes below as to our favorites:

Thank you, reviews like yours is exactly what I was looking for!

 

[OKW Lover]

I picked a 3 bottles package? (3 nights)

And if you don't drink one night, you can have two the next day?

Exactly! Although I will say the concept of "leftover wine" is a bit foreign to us.

 

[phinz]

I picked a 3 bottles package? (3 nights)

And if you don't drink one night, you can have two the next day?

Yep. Or you can drink all three on the first night and spend the next 6 recovering.

The service staff (especially your assistant server, who handles all the wine) is more than willing to serve you everything you want.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

My wife and I love our wines, but we're not so sophisticated that we can tell the subtle differences that are expected from the most expensive wines. I've made some notes below as to our favorites:

We love our wines as well and I agree with everything for these recommendations. Great summary!

 

[Flossbolna]

I think it's best if you ask the sommelier when you go to dinner.

I don't think there is a sommelier in the normal dining rooms. Not even sure if there is one at Palo? There obviously is one at Remy.

 

[MaleficentRN]

I don't think there is a sommelier in the normal dining rooms. Not even sure if there is one at Palo? There obviously is one at Remy.

That may be, but the serves are, or should be, familiar with the wines they are serving.

 

[crainbow]

Hello!

I've decided to order a package of classic wine for our cruise and from what I understand, you are allowed 1 bottle of wine per night from a list which is:


White Wines and Sparkling
Baccorosa Zonin Rose Piedmont, Italy
Beringer White Zinfandel California, USA
Tangley Oaks Chardonnay Napa Valley, USA
Pinot Grigio Albola Veneto, Italy
Selbach Riesling Kabinett Mosel, Germany
Zolo Torrontes Mendoza, Argentina
Hess Chardonnay Monterey California, USA
Kendall Jackson Chardonnay Vintner's Reserve California, USA
Castello del Poggio Moscato Lombardy, Italy
Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County, USA
Simi Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County, USA

Red Wines
Layer Cake Shiraz South Australia, Australia
Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles California, USA
Seven Daughter Pinot Noir California, USA
Centine Rosso Di Toscana Banfi, Italy
Tangley Oaks Merlot Coastal California, USA
Cune Crianza Rioja, Spain
Wolf Blass Cabernet Sauvignon South Australia, Australia
Zolo Malbec Mendoza, Argentina

I am from Canada (Quebec) and we don't have access to the same wines as the US, therefore it is hard for me to decide which wines in that list are worth it as I've never ever tried any of them.


Any kind of help from someone who knows their wine would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

This problem with a generic wine list like this is that there are no vintages given. That said, you can always Google the wines that you are interested in and see what is being said about them. Zolo is a very cheap wine label. They go for less than $10 a bottle online. And the reviews are not that good. Kendall Jackson and Hess are middle of the road wines. Good with food, but nothing to wow you. Layer Cake is one of the better Shiraz's on the market right now, again nothing fancy. the Wolf Blass is getting middle of the road reviews also.

Chuck

 

[mevelandry]

Yep. Or you can drink all three on the first night and spend the next 6 recovering.

The service staff (especially your assistant server, who handles all the wine) is more than willing to serve you everything you want.

It's for a table of 4 adults... We should be fine with 3 days of recovery.

 

[mevelandry]

This problem with a generic wine list like this is that there are no vintages given. That said, you can always Google the wines that you are interested in and see what is being said about them. Zolo is a very cheap wine label. They go for less than $10 a bottle online. And the reviews are not that good. Kendall Jackson and Hess are middle of the road wines. Good with food, but nothing to wow you. Layer Cake is one of the better Shiraz's on the market right now, again nothing fancy. the Wolf Blass is getting middle of the road reviews also.

Chuck

What I am getting so far is:

Rosé: Zonin
White: Kendall Jackson Chardonnay (...and maybe the Riesling since I'm usually a fan)
Red: Layer Cake, Castle Rock or Seven Daughter

 

[hoffman1]

I like the Selbach but I like sweet wines.