Created for wine connoisseurs, Seven Seas Explorer’s 12-night Taste of Tuscany, sailing from Barcelona to Venice (7-19 October 2019) will be hosted by multi-award winning wine expert Justin Baldwin. The voyage aboard the ‘world’s most luxurious cruise ship” will feature hosted dinners, wine tastings and many wine-themed shore excursions, carefully curated in consultation with the award-winning wine expert.
Justin Baldwin is a renowned wine expert and the founder of JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery – well known for its production of world-class Bordeaux-style blends, and one of the earliest producers of that style in the New World. He has received acclaim and recognition in the form of awards such as the coveted Pichon Lalande trophy for “World’s Best Blended Red Wine” and Wine Spectator’s Top 10 Wines of the World.
The 12 night Taste of Tuscany tour is one of Regent Seven Seas Cruise Spotlight Voyages, a series of specialist journeys hosted by international experts.
“Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ ethos and our Spotlight Voyages elevate the customer experience even further by providing exclusive access to renowned experts and activities,” said Felix Chan, Vice President of Sales Asia at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “This October, we are extremely pleased to have world-famous wine expert, Justin Baldwin join us onboard Seven Seas Explorer for a memorable time with our wine-loving guests.”
Apart from specialty wine tastings, meet-and-greet sessions with Justin and hosted dinners onboard Seven Seas Explorer, guests can also enjoy specially curated shore excursions that explore the region’s endless array of delectable cuisine and legendary wines on this special voyage.
Stopping by Tuscany, an Italian region that produces some of the best wines of the world, guests are able to embark on a Bocelli countryside escape by exploring medieval Volterra, browsing Andrea Bocelli’s theater and museum, sampling wines at the Officine Bocelli restaurant and visiting Pisa’s glorious Square of Miracles. With the rare opportunity to tour the vineyards on the farm that the Bocellis have owned since 1730, guests will also be treated to a three-course lunch, complete with a round of wine tasting in which they will sample a selection of characteristic wines including a lush Sangiovese and crisp, complex Pinot Grigio.
At Palma de Mallorca in Spain, guests will be driven through town to a family-owned vineyard, Tianna Negre for a tasting of wines made from indigenous Mallorcan grapes. During brunch, guests will be served a namesake Tianna Negre red blend made from Manto Negro and Syrah grapes, a Tianna Blanc with notes of ripe fruit from Giró Ros grapes, and a pink rosé with hints of grapefruit. Fresh-baked bread and extra virgin olive oil made from the estate’s olives will complement the wines. Following this eye-opening introduction, guests will then head for Gastroteca Mauricio to sample an array of representative Mallorcan foods where a selection of indigenous wines and liqueurs will also be served.
Cruising through the picturesque Mediterranean coastlines of Spain, France and Italy, Seven Seas Explorer brings travelers on an unforgettable trip with state-in-the-art teaching kitchens, classes teaching authentic local recipes coupled with onshore activities where guests can explore local markets, sip wine at renowned vineyards or savor a gourmet meal prepared by a Michelin-starred chef.