Explore to inspire, a PONANT podcast
PONANT's cruises
PONANT embraces the finer things in life on our luxury small-ship cruises. Indisputably, one of those things is sipping a refined vintage at the close of an unforgettable day of discovery and exploration. In that spirit, we’re proud to highlight three of the most celebrated wine destinations in the world – France, Italy, and New Zealand – and the PONANT luxury small-ship cruises that deliver you to their doorsteps.
France’s Classic Wine Regions
France produces some of the world’s finest wines. Connoisseurs know that French wines are known for their distinct local flavors, each of which is influenced by the unique terroir in which the grapes are grown. In all, the country boasts some 17 wine regions. Within those, there are hundreds of delineated AOCs – or Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée, a strict system that classifies wines by geography and production techniques.
Bordeaux is one of the most famous, renowned for its red blends made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and often Cabernet Franc grapes. Though most people associate Bordeaux with red wines, it produces plenty of white, too. The Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes, for instance, are grown in the regions of Sauternes and Graves (meaning “gravel,” so named for the quality of its soil).
The Côtes du Rhône in the Rhône River Valley produces its own style of red that showcases Syrah and Grenache grapes. Because the region is hotter and sunnier than Bordeaux, the grapes produce more sugar, adding a sweet touch to a typically big, bold flavor profile – creating a complex wine-drinking experience. These vineyards are also far more mature than those in the rest of France; some have been here for upwards of 2,000 years!
Here’s how to discover the wines of France with PONANT, with port calls in Bordeaux or Southern France.
Italy: The World’s Largest Producer
Italy’s history of viticulture dates back some 3,000 years, so it’s no surprise that it is the world’s largest wine producer, with more than 2,000 different labels being bottled in 20 regions. Its output is equal parts red and white, with the most familiar and renowned regions being Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto. Like France, Italy monitors wines’ authenticity through the Denominazione di Origine Controllata, the DOC.
As in any country, Italian wines vary in flavor and body, from fruity and light to complex and full-bodied. The most famous wines are produced in Tuscany; of these, the most celebrated is Chianti. The DOC requires this type of wine to be made with at least 80% Sangiovese grapes, though Chianti Classico producers may use 100% of the grape. Only one-fifth of Chianti is classified as the more complex “Riserva,” which means it has been aged at least 27 months.
Meanwhile in Piedmont, the Nebbiolo grape produces two “heavyweight” wines – Barolo and Barbaresco. Barolo holds more body, thanks to its three years of aging (one of them in wood), whereas Barbaresco is light and elegant after its aging time of two years (also one in wood). It’s been said that wine drinkers with a less refined palate are wise to “graduate up” to a Barolo – called by some the “wine of arrival.”
Among Italian white wines, Piedmont produces some fine, crisp, and fruity Pinot Grigio, which is also produced in French Alsace as Pinot Gris. In the Veneto region, thanks to a cooler climate, some of Italy’s best sparkling white wines and Proseccos are produced.
Sample Italy’s finest during a luxury Mediterranean small-ship cruise.
The Younger Wines of New Zealand
New Zealand may not have the same long history of winemaking as France and Italy; viticulture began during the country’s colonial era when a British resident who had previously established vineyards in Australia’s Hunter Valley started making wine for British soldiers here. That was in 1836. Since then, New Zealand has quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality wines. The country’s industry has grown rapidly over the last few decades, with a Geographical Indication in place, or GI – a loose equivalent to France’s AOC and Italy’s DOC.
Many vineyards specialize in Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. The Wairau and Awatere Valleys of the Marlborough region, located in the northern reaches of the South Island, produces 75% of the nation’s wines; its Sauvignon Blanc has been described as the best in the world. It also produces sparkling Chardonnay and Pinot Noir following the traditional methods used in the Champagne region of France.
Central Otago is the world’s southernmost wine region. This is where many of the country’s finest Pinot Noirs are made. The grape accounts for 70% of vineyards while the other 30% consists of white-wine grapes like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. And, because Otago experiences greater temperature extremes between daytime and evening, its conditions are ideal – like Germany and Austria – for the Riesling and Gewurztraminer grapes.
Witness the beauty of New Zealand – and its award-winning wines – with PONANT.
