Current Lists of Wine on Board (2022/23)

[federalexpress]

29 minutes ago, asnaleah said:

Thanks. We’re boarding February 25. I’m wondering if we should bring wine onboard. 

 

I am mixing and matching. I bought a few bottles onboard- a white and some dessert wine (my weakness and I didn't trust the ship to deliver). Tomorrow I go to Deicas winery in Uruguay and will pick up some bottles there, probably a couple of reds because that is their big claim to fame (one to take for curiosity value to the chef's table, the other probably on a verandah dinner when we depart Montevideo) and maybe another dessert wine or two. I've also bought the Ultimate package as you know.

 

If you start in Buenos Aires, I can suggest the wine shop I bought from. And maybe the absolutely gorgeous Chardonnay I'm currently drinking (for those who like those buttery, oaky chardonnay, one of the best I've had).

 

Incidentally I got the ultimate package because the 'wrap around' Indulgence package made sense for me and I had $1000 OBC to spend. If you don't need all the other bits included in the latter, I think other posters' suggestions of corkage is a fair call, if you mostly only drink wine.

[federalexpress]

14 minutes ago, wjfan417 said:

We were on 4 cruises on Quest in 2022-none had Sokol Blosser PN. 

 I think it is likely the dodo of the Ultimate wine list.

[asnaleah]

I do mostly drink wine but DH enjoys a tequila reposado. Is this available on board or should we get a bottle before we board in Buenos Aires?

[Mackdogmolly]

1 hour ago, federalexpress said:

And maybe the absolutely gorgeous Chardonnay I'm currently drinking (for those who like those buttery, oaky chardonnay, one of the best I've had).

Yes please!

[luv2travel90266]

2 hours ago, asnaleah said:

Thanks. We’re boarding February 25. I’m wondering if we should bring wine onboard. 

YES! Check out the wine shops in the local port and pay $10 corkage. You can find them easily on Google Maps

[federalexpress]

1 hour ago, asnaleah said:

I do mostly drink wine but DH enjoys a tequila reposado. Is this available on board or should we get a bottle before we board in Buenos Aires?

 

Can't help there, don't even know what that drink is!

[federalexpress]

1 hour ago, Mackdogmolly said:

Yes please!

 

The shop is Lo de Joaqin Alberdi (or JA! for short) which is in Palmero on Jorge Luis Borges 1772. Open every day till 9.30pm. They are maybe not the cheapest place to buy wine but they have a very big range and you can try some wines before you buy. Because I bought several bottles, they gave me a 10% discount which made the pricing more competitive. Staff are very nice and helpful.

 

The wine they recommended was Pascual Toso Alta Chardonnay Barrancas Vineyards 2021. It's quite an in your face oaky chardonnay but it also has gorgeous fruit and some acidity to bring some balance to the whole thing. Some might argue it is a bit too heavyweight for drinking without food but why should those wines be lightweights, when you can have this?

 

Remember that you now get the higher blue rate on your Visa and Mastercard so I picked this us for around £17- worth every penny.

[asnaleah]

49 minutes ago, federalexpress said:

 

Can't help there, don't even know what that drink is!

It’s just tequila, (NOT silver), on the rocks. DH prefers Casamigos or Patron. Don Julio is okay too. 

Edited January 26, 2023 by asnaleah

[federalexpress]

4 minutes ago, asnaleah said:

It’s just tequila, (NOT silver), on the rocks. DH prefers Casamigos or Patron. Don Julio is okay too. 

I'll see if I can check that out for you tomorrow. 

[federalexpress]

So here's a comprehensive update as to Ultimate wines on Pursuit. It might be different on other ships. Here is what was on the official list and remains available according to the sommelier, white, rose and red in that order:

 

Wairau River Sauv Blanc

Selbach Fish Label Riesling

Gerard Bertrand Reserve Viognier

Beringer White Zinfandel

Whispering Angel Rose Cote de Provence

Callia Alta Malbec

Poggio Tempesta Chianti

 

Now onto the wines that have changed, first the original, then the replacement, in order of champagne, white, then red:

 

Nicolas Feuillatte Brut replaced by Taittinger Brut FIFA edition

The Seeker Chardonnay replaced by Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay

Bertani Pinot Grigio replaced by Danzante Pinot Grigio

Penley Cab Sauv replaced by Tommasi Poggio al Tufi Cab Sauv

Matanzas Creek Merlot replaced by Francis Coppola Diamond Selection Merlot

Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir replaced by Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir.

 

This is based on a printed list provided by the sommelier. I can't vouch for availability as a result but I think this is accurate. I have not listed vintages as I don't think that could be relied upon. My observations follow below.

 

[federalexpress]

My take on the above is that

 

1) The offering is uneven in terms of pricing, more variance than seems sensible

2) The replacement wines are a step down in quality. Some not so much- the Coppola wine was OK. Others much more so. The Mondavi wines are their bottom range and bang average. It's a shame this is consistently so (almost). The original reds were really quite appealing in quality

3) The exception is the champagne. Assuming they actually do have it, what's all that about? Bargain leftovers after the world cup? Either way, it's likely a decent upgrade on that I've seen referenced on here before.

4) Despite the above, there is still some ok drinking here. It certainly won't spoil my cruise. The chianti is halfway decent, Tommasi generally make good wines and the Coppola Merlot was acceptable. And they have for now, Whispering Angel (and maybe I try the champagne)

5) My dessert wine conundrum is unresolved. The Errazuriz SB Late Harvest is not available. It seems I'm being offered a Sauternes as an alternative which is nice but actually I think the speciality restaurants might have options closer to the cost of the originally listed SB Late Harvest. In case anyone cares, I'll update if I manage to talk again to the sommelier.

[federalexpress]

On 1/25/2023 at 10:06 PM, asnaleah said:

It’s just tequila, (NOT silver), on the rocks. DH prefers Casamigos or Patron. Don Julio is okay too. 

I'm afraid I haven't got to any bars today. Long day out on sightseeing, then a veranda dinner. I'll check this out tomorrow, we're mostly at sea.

[lisiamc]

On 1/26/2023 at 1:06 AM, asnaleah said:

It’s just tequila, (NOT silver), on the rocks. DH prefers Casamigos or Patron. Don Julio is okay too. 

I saw some Don Julio on Onward in December. The shape of the bottle caught my eye.

Edited January 27, 2023 by lisiamc

[asnaleah]

Thanks @federalexpress. I appreciate your efforts! Enjoy your sea day.

[Mackdogmolly]

14 hours ago, federalexpress said:

My take on the above is that

 

1) The offering is uneven in terms of pricing, more variance than seems sensible

2) The replacement wines are a step down in quality. Some not so much- the Coppola wine was OK. Others much more so. The Mondavi wines are their bottom range and bang average. It's a shame this is consistently so (almost). The original reds were really quite appealing in quality

3) The exception is the champagne. Assuming they actually do have it, what's all that about? Bargain leftovers after the world cup? Either way, it's likely a decent upgrade on that I've seen referenced on here before.

4) Despite the above, there is still some ok drinking here. It certainly won't spoil my cruise. The chianti is halfway decent, Tommasi generally make good wines and the Coppola Merlot was acceptable. And they have for now, Whispering Angel (and maybe I try the champagne)

5) My dessert wine conundrum is unresolved. The Errazuriz SB Late Harvest is not available. It seems I'm being offered a Sauternes as an alternative which is nice but actually I think the speciality restaurants might have options closer to the cost of the originally listed SB Late Harvest. In case anyone cares, I'll update if I manage to talk again to the sommelier.

Thanks for taking the time for the extensive report! I’m guessing it could all change by the time I’m on board in 5 weeks. But save me some Whispering Angel! 😊

[federalexpress]

4 hours ago, Mackdogmolly said:

Thanks for taking the time for the extensive report! I’m guessing it could all change by the time I’m on board in 5 weeks. But save me some Whispering Angel! 😊

 

The impression I was given was that these replacement wines will be around for a good time, at least most of them. It was indicated to me that a refreshed wine offering may be appearing in 2024 and there was again a reference to the Sycamore owned wine brands, which is a considerable portfolio, especially if you include the Antinori partnership. 2023 may be a year of transition. But as I say, there is still some reasonable drinking there for the time being.

 

I'm more of a red and dessert wine drinker, so really I ought to be telling others to leave off the WA. You're safer with me.....

[federalexpress]

11 hours ago, asnaleah said:

Thanks @federalexpress. I appreciate your efforts! Enjoy your sea day.

OK so I hope I got this right, Tequila is not my specialist subject. It appears there is one on the included list, one on the premium list and several on the Ultimate package. In order they are:

 

Jose Cuevo Especial Silver

 

Jose Cuevo Especial Gold

 

Avion Reposado

Don Julio Blanco

Patron Silver

Avion Silver

Patron Reposado (currently OOS)

[asnaleah]

Thank you very much! The Patron Reposado would be great if it gets restocked before 2/25. I’m not familiar with the Avion. Will check with DH.

[federalexpress]

Some minor updates on the Ultimate wine list.

 

To my surprise, it turned out there was some of the Errazuriz dessert wine in the supplies they picked up in Montevideo. 18 half bottles apparently. Not sure how long that will last for. I imagine I might personally  account for a quarter or more of that during the remainder of the cruise.

 

The Chianti given on the list of a day or so ago has already changed to Frescobaldi Castiglione. They are a decent producer but this is their entry level wine and again it seems to be if anything a step down on the current offering.It also makes me less confident in the veracity of the wines I listed previously, even though it was apparently provided by the sommelier. I think one needs to think 'indicative' not ;definitive'. That said, the Tommasi Cab Sauv, the replacement for the Penley Phoenix, was served last night in Aqualina and that was perfectly palatable, though I would have much preferred all 3 of the previous reds to the new options.

 

Apparently we have also taken onboard a selection of extra wines from the local areas, Argentina and Chile. Not sure if these are for the included package (which would be nice) or further replacements on Ultimate. We'll see over the coming days.

[lisiamc]

2 minutes ago, federalexpress said:

Apparently we have also taken onboard a selection of extra wines from the local areas, Argentina and Chile. Not sure if these are for the included package (which would be nice) or further replacements on Ultimate. We'll see over the coming days.

I like the idea of picking up extra wines in suitable ports and having something new to try rather than always having exactly what’s on the Ultimate Package list, month after month, no matter how good they are. I’ve really enjoyed some of the post-Covid substitutions, and hope to drink a few of them again.

[JM0115]

21 minutes ago, lisiamc said:

I like the idea of picking up extra wines in suitable ports and having something new to try rather than always having exactly what’s on the Ultimate Package list, month after month, no matter how good they are. I’ve really enjoyed some of the post-Covid substitutions, and hope to drink a few of them again.

@lisiamcDo you do a combination of picking up wines and the Ultimate Package? 

[luv2travel90266]

3 hours ago, JM0115 said:

@lisiamcDo you do a combination of picking up wines and the Ultimate Package? 

 

3 hours ago, JM0115 said:

@lisiamcDo you do a combination of picking up wines and the Ultimate Package? 

You can buy wines by the bottle superior to the ultimate package and I believe azamara  discounts them It would seem if you already paid for the ultimate package and then chose to drink a bottle purchased on shore they would wave the corkage but not so. 

[lisiamc]

5 hours ago, JM0115 said:

@lisiamcDo you do a combination of picking up wines and the Ultimate Package? 

Sometimes, but mostly I’m lazy/cheap and I want the ship to pick up the nice new wines, and save me the hassle of carrying bottles back to the ship. I’m in favour of sometimes bringing back what I’d term as a good balcony wine - lovely for sitting and sipping one afternoon, but not worth the effort of bringing back more than a bottle or two, and not worth paying corkage. We have occasionally been ashore and run into the sommeliers visiting the same wineries that we are visiting. That’s always a nice feeling.

[JM0115]

1 hour ago, lisiamc said:

Sometimes, but mostly I’m lazy/cheap and I want the ship to pick up the nice new wines, and save me the hassle of carrying bottles back to the ship. I’m in favour of sometimes bringing back what I’d term as a good balcony wine - lovely for sitting and sipping one afternoon, but not worth the effort of bringing back more than a bottle or two, and not worth paying corkage. We have occasionally been ashore and run into the sommeliers visiting the same wineries that we are visiting. That’s always a nice feeling.

Sounds like a good strategy!

[federalexpress]

A further update. It seems we did indeed take on some additional 'local' wines at our recent port stop. Some of them appear to be for the included package. I haven't tried these but I imagine they would be an improvement on current offerings. The only included wine I have tried so far was an Italian Merlot(I think produced by Zonin) which I tried against the Coppola Diamond Selection Merlot on the Ultimate list. No contest and I'd suggest steering clear of the Italian Merlot, it wasn't good.

 

For the Ultimate package, I believe they have added a Malbec, which I haven't yet tried and also a new Merlot from Rutini. They are a good Argentinian producer and this was a very pleasant wine, maybe better than the Coppola (which remains available). It will likely be my new 'go to' red.

 

Although I don't drink it much, I did ask for a glass of champagne for 'research purposes'. This is indeed the Taittinger FIFA edition I mentioned earlier, so that wasn't a mirage. It was clearly a World Cup wine, which I suspect they had stocks remaining after the event and maybe AZ got it cheap. Nothing wrong with the wine, it's pretty good, as you'd expect from Taittinger. That said, it may not be more than a temporary fixture, there can't have been that much stock of it. Given it would likely cost $50 upwards, it does seem to be an anomaly on the Ultimate list.

 

I had hoped that I'd be able to provide a definitive Ultimate list here but I think the reality is, it is fluid and I'd expect there to be changes throughout the year. My hunch is that 2023 will be a year of 'tactical buying' while in 2024, I suspect there will be a more stable list based around some of the Sycamore wines, and probably proper longer term supply agreements.