DESTINATIONS RHINE CRUISE | FOOD & DRINK
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: AmaWaterways’ AmaMora on the Rhine; wine tasting in a German vineyard; Würzburg; Amie Keeley (right) samples wine in the Bassenheimer Hof building in Mainz PICTURES: Shutterstock
taverns would be complete without a visit to a local cafe to try a traditional Rüdesheim coffee. Packed with sugar, brandy, whipped cream and hot black coffee, it was the perfect antidote to a long hike through the vineyards on a cold November day. Back on board, it was time for more wine tasting.
This time, our host had prepared a game for guests, comparing old world and new world wines. When asked for my preference, I had to confess I
favoured the French and Italian reds we had sampled over our host’s Californian varieties. He didn’t seem too offended and I promised to try one of his reds for our paired wine dinner that evening, which he had designed along with our onboard chef.
FINE DINING
Like all of AmaWaterways’ fleet, our ship, the AmaDante, had been inducted into the prestigious La Chaînes des Rôtisseurs culinary guild in recognition of its fine food. In addition to the main dining room, the Chef’s Table speciality restaurant also offers a tasting menu prepared right in front of you at the aft of the ship. This focus on culinary excellence extended to our daily list of excursions. A highlight was the Flavours of Miltenberg tour.
Our guide took us through the medieval streets of this charming town, which looked like it had stepped out of a fairytale. Along the way, we sampled regional treats from speciality shops, including sausages, marzipan and German cheesecake.
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As we continued our journey east, we stopped at Würzburg, the capital of Franconian wine
country. Adorned with baroque and rococo architecture, the city is also home to Germany’s second-largest winery. Set up in 1576, the Juliusspital wine estate was originally a hospital, which still functions today, and includes a vast winery. Huge wine barrels lined the long corridors of the cellar where riesling, Müller-Thurgau and the region’s prized silvaner can be sampled.
RIVERSIDE RIDES
Like many river cruise lines, AmaWaterways offers more active excursions for those up to the challenge, and carries bikes on board so guests can explore on two wheels. I took the opportunity to pedal along the south bank of the Main River from Eltmann to
Bamberg, sampling the area’s famous speciality – smoked beer. It seemed inappropriate to conclude my trip in an ale house, as cosy as it was, so I returned to a cold glass of riesling back on board as our journey came to an end. Following a partnership with Kent winery Chapel Down, AmaWaterways’ UK guests will now be able to combine and compare some of the best German wines with those made a little closer to home. A wine expert from the Chapel Down estate is due to join a seven-day sailing, Melodies of the Danube, departing on November 13 this year, as part of the line’s Celebration of Wine cruise programme.
As for Captain Brian Monster, he is rumoured to be working on a new entrance routine (with singing) ahead of a return to cruising.
TW BOOK IT
AmaWaterways is due to operate 60 Celebration of Wine river cruises through Europe this year, hosted by a range of wine experts, certified sommeliers and vineyard owners, and featuring lectures and tastings in addition to shore excursions. Normandy and Burgundy are among the new itineraries on offer. A Captivating Rhine Wine Cruise on AmaMora starts at £3,257 for a seven-night sailing from Amsterdam to Basel, including flights from selected UK gateways and overseas transfers, departing on November 11.
amawaterways.co.uk
8 APRIL 2021 29
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