Calling all Oenophiles....

[curiouscat]

Went to a great tasting last nite....Krug

 

We got to taste Krug Clos de Mesnil Blanc de blanc 1998 vintage :D:p

 

CC

[wineluvr]

Here are two great Celebrity Cruises Wine Videos I found on You Tube:

 

Celebrity Cruises - Cork "Behind the Scenes" Wine Video:

 

http://www.youtube.com/celebritycruises#p/c/3E03BE48733A885C/8/QjtQUIfrxqk

 

Celebrity Cruises - Riedel Crystal Seminar Video:

 

http://www.youtube.com/celebritycruises#p/c/3E03BE48733A885C/5/UBVpRWRsvfU

[curiouscat]

Wineluvr....thanks.for posting...that is a great video..

 

 

Here is the announcement about the theme cruises for next year..highly recommend the Pacific Coastal Wine Cruise...it's wonderful:p

 

CELEBRITY CRUISES TO OFFER ENHANCED THEME CRUISE LINE-UP IN 2011

More than 60 sailings in the Caribbean and Europe to feature guest experts

and immersive onboard experiences

 

MIAMI – October 21, 2010 – Celebrity Cruises is expanding its line-up of theme cruises in 2011 to offer a total of 61 cruises that will feature immersive onboard art, food and wine based experiences.

 

“Celebrity Cruises strives to offer an array of enriching and fun experiences through our Celebrity Life onboard activities program,” said Celebrity’s Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “Our theme cruises are led by guest experts and combined with interactive activities and unique experiences for our guests’ special interests: fine dining with exceptional cuisine and service to enjoy, exquisite art to view and extraordinary wines to taste.”

 

Partnering with The Corning Museum of Glass, Celebrity will offer “Guest Glass Artist” theme cruises, each featuring an artisan glassblower. Five “Guest Glass Artist” cruises will be offered, on Caribbean sailings on the brand-new Celebrity Eclipse, which sets sail for the first time from Miami in November, and on Celebrity Solstice.

 

GUEST GLASS ARTISTS

During the Guest Glass Artist cruises, guests will have the opportunity to partake in a meet-and-greet cocktail reception with the guest artist, lectures and presentations about various glassblowing topics, live Hot Glass Show glassblowing demonstrations, exclusive trunk shows and book signings featuring the guest artist’s works, and an interactive session where guests design something the guest artist then creates out of glass.

 

GUEST CHEFS

Celebrity also will broaden the popular “Savor Your Destination” guest chef program introduced earlier in 2010 to include more sailings hosted by up-and-coming chefs. The “Savor Your Destination” series will be expanded in 2011 to include five winemaker-hosted cruises.

 

A total of 13 “Savor Your Destination” chef-hosted cruises will be offered on Celebrity’s Solstice Class ships, allowing travelers the opportunity to enjoy memorable experiences through food-and-wine-focused activities, among others. The “Savor Your Destination” cruises will complement the ships’ overall emphasis on the enjoyment of fine food and wine.

 

Savor Your Destination guest chef cruises offer guests the opportunity to take their culinary interests to new levels through activities such as a meet-and-greet cocktail reception, guest chef-led cooking demonstrations highlighting techniques and ingredients, book signings, a “Star Chefs” cook-off featuring an interactive cooking competition, and a hands-on cooking class led by the guest chef in the ship’s galley. Guests will receive a special recipe booklet featuring the guest chef’s creations, and enjoy an exclusive food-and-wine-pairing dinner designed and presented by the guest chef in one of the five specialty restaurants onboard.

 

GUEST WINE EXPERTS FOR OENOPHILES

Following the success of the 2010 Savor Your Destination guest chef cruises, Celebrity will offer five winemaker-hosted cruises in 2011. Experts from the world of winemaking will join guests for a meet-and-greet cocktail hour; wine, champagne, sparkling wine and port tastings; wine education sessions; and a “Connoisseur Wine Dinner” hosted by the winemaker. These cruises also will feature the Riedel Wine Glass Comparative Workshop, explaining how a wine glass’ shape affects the palate and flavors.

 

In 2011, Celebrity will continue its fall “Wine Harvest Celebration” theme cruises. More than 38 sailings are timed to coincide with the fall wine harvest season. On cruises departing between November 1 and December 10, guests can enjoy a variety of exclusive wine-related events, including those offered year-round through the “Celebrity Life” onboard activities program.

 

A “CelebrityVineyards Wine Harvest Exposition” will be open to all guests on embarkation day. Hosted by Celebrity’s certified sommeliers, the event will feature a complimentary glass of house wine and canapés, and an overview of the various wine experiences and packages available for guests, paired with the opportunity to make reservations for limited-capacity events. Additional activities will include “Wine Appreciation 101,” “The Art of Food and Wine Pairing,” and the Riedel Comparative Wine Glass Workshop; Celebrity’s “World Wine Tasting and Silent Auction”; and a jazz, port and chocolate tasting.

 

Also, Celebrity will expand the availability of “Beaujolais Nouveau” across the fleet. Beaujolais Nouveau, a red wine that symbolizes the new grape harvest in France, has gained widespread popularity worldwide. By law, all the grapes used in the production of Beaujolais Nouveau must be “gamay” grapes, and must be hand-picked.

Hosted by a guest speaker and Celebrity’s own Cellar Master, a “Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration” event will offer guests the opportunity to sip the eagerly-anticipated wine from oak casks and commemorative bottles, while enjoying live music and dancing, canapés, a gourmet French cheese pairing and a roast carving station.

 

Celebrity Cruises plans to unveil the names of guest chefs, winemakers and glass artists in the weeks and months to come.

 

Sail dates for Celebrity’s 2011 Guest Glass Artist cruises are January 2, January 22, and April 2, 2011 on Celebrity Eclipse, and November 13 and December 11, 2011 on Celebrity Solstice.

 

Celebrity’s 2011 Savor Your Destination guest chef cruises will be offered on Celebrity Solstice on January 9, May 14, June 7, August 1 and October 11, 2011, on Celebrity Eclipse on January 29, March 12, March 26 and December 10, 2011, and on Celebrity Equinox on April 1, April 11, April 22 and December 12, 2011.

 

Celebrity’s 2011 Savor Your Destination winemaker cruises will take place on Celebrity Mercury on January 15 and February 5, on Celebrity Summit April 30 and October 23, and on Celebrity Century on September 18.

 

Although Celebrity hasn’t yet announced its full 2012 theme cruise lineup, it has opened an eight-night Pacific Northwest wine cruise for booking, taking place on Celebrity Century on May 5, 2012.

 

An additional charge applies for participants in certain events, including wine tastings, wine pairing dinners and hands-on cooking.

 

Celebrity Cruises is designed for discerning cruisers, with modern, sophisticated environments, impeccable service, enriching and inspiring onboard programs, and award-winning cuisine. The ultimate in premium cruising, Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Bermuda, California, Canada/New England, Europe, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South America, and year-round in the Caribbean and the Galapagos Islands. Celebrity also offers immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Europe and South America. Celebrity’s mega-series of honors include being named the top mega-ship line in Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards (November 2009). Celebrity’s fleet currently consists of 10 ships. Its $3.7-billion investment in building five stylish Solstice Class ships between 2008-2012 represents the largest five-year investment in premium cruising. For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit www.celebritycruises.com.

[chamima]

We just got this email from Celebrity about this year's fall cruises.

 

Wine Harvest Celebration

Bon voyage. Bon Beaujolais. Bon Bordeaux. Bon Burgundy. bon appétit

 

It's the 2nd Annual Celebrity Cruises Wine Harvest Celebration.

 

Employer of the world's largest staff of sommeliers. Purveyor of up to 480 different wines per sailing. It’s clear we understand the appeal of a great glass of wine. And in celebration of the seasonal grape harvest, we’re enhancing our already robust wine program on all our ships with some additional exciting activities.

Wine Harvest Exposition & Wine Events

 

Step aboard for the Celebrity Vineyards Wine Harvest Exposition where you'll enjoy a complimentary glass of wine with hors d'oeuvres. And you'll meet our ship's Cellar Master and the sommeliers. While you're mingling, why not register for all the special events to come? You can enjoy wine tastings. Surrender your senses to our new Jazz, Port and Chocolate Tasting Seduction. And that's just the beginning. There's our ever-so-popular Celebrity's World Wine Tasting and Silent Auction. Plus, exciting seminars including, "The Art of Food and Wine Pairing" and "Wine Appreciation 101," and take part in our Riedel® Comparative Wine Crystal Workshop. It's true. Every cruise from November 1 to December 11, 2010, will hear the popping of more wine bottles than usual.

Wine Harvest Celebration Voyages

 

For an even more perfect pairing of premium cruising and premium wine, join us during the initial voyages of our Wine Harvest Celebration, November 1 to November 19, 2010. In honor of our partnership with the French Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, we'll focus our attention on French food, wine and spirits. All sailings will feature seminars from a guest winemaker, speaker or one of Celebrity's certified Cellarmasters. And if you sail with us over November 18 (November 19 on Celebrity Century®), you can participate in the world-famous Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration. Be one of the first to savor this year's Beaujolais. À Votre Santé

[curiouscat]

We just got this email from Celebrity about this year's fall cruises.

 

 

Wine Harvest Celebration

Bon voyage. Bon Beaujolais. Bon Bordeaux. Bon Burgundy. bon appétit

 

It's the 2nd Annual Celebrity Cruises Wine Harvest Celebration.

 

Employer of the world's largest staff of sommeliers. Purveyor of up to 480 different wines per sailing. It’s clear we understand the appeal of a great glass of wine. And in celebration of the seasonal grape harvest, we’re enhancing our already robust wine program on all our ships with some additional exciting activities.

Wine Harvest Exposition & Wine Events

 

Step aboard for the Celebrity Vineyards Wine Harvest Exposition where you'll enjoy a complimentary glass of wine with hors d'oeuvres. And you'll meet our ship's Cellar Master and the sommeliers. While you're mingling, why not register for all the special events to come? You can enjoy wine tastings. Surrender your senses to our new Jazz, Port and Chocolate Tasting Seduction. And that's just the beginning. There's our ever-so-popular Celebrity's World Wine Tasting and Silent Auction. Plus, exciting seminars including, "The Art of Food and Wine Pairing" and "Wine Appreciation 101," and take part in our Riedel® Comparative Wine Crystal Workshop. It's true. Every cruise from November 1 to December 11, 2010, will hear the popping of more wine bottles than usual.

Wine Harvest Celebration Voyages

 

For an even more perfect pairing of premium cruising and premium wine, join us during the initial voyages of our Wine Harvest Celebration, November 1 to November 19, 2010. In honor of our partnership with the French Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, we'll focus our attention on French food, wine and spirits. All sailings will feature seminars from a guest winemaker, speaker or one of Celebrity's certified Cellarmasters. And if you sail with us over November 18 (November 19 on Celebrity Century®), you can participate in the world-famous Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration. Be one of the first to savor this year's Beaujolais. À Votre Santé

 

 

OK... your killing me... you know our cruise leaves DEC 12th

 

CC

[chamima]

OK... your killing me... you know our cruise leaves DEC 12th

 

CC

 

SORRY!!!!! :o

Meanwhile ours looks half empty ( every category has cabins left) - maybe it'll get low enough that you can do both!

[curiouscat]

SORRY!!!!! :o

Meanwhile ours looks half empty ( every category has cabins left) - maybe it'll get low enough that you can do both!

 

 

Back to back not possible till retirement or corporate america cooperates... can't get that much time off....:p

 

We made our reservations for dinner in Ft.Lauderdale... Johnny V's on Las Olas and Grill 66.... yumm... can't wait. I better start exercising now !!

 

CC

[chamima]

Back to back not possible till retirement or corporate america cooperates... can't get that much time off....:p

I think we're older than you so time off has become much easier. Tolerance to winter has become much less though! ;)

 

We made our reservations for dinner in Ft.Lauderdale... Johnny V's on Las Olas and Grill 66.... yumm... can't wait. I better start exercising now !!

 

CC

 

Are those two restaurants or is Grill 66 inside Johnny V's ?

Does either place serve a lot of fish? (We only eat fish)

I saw a place named "Fish" on 17th street and was thinking of eating there.

[curiouscat]

Grill 66 is steak/seafood restaurant next to Pier 66... it is awesome...we try to go there when we're in town.

 

grille66and bar dot com

 

Johnny V's is on Las Olas blvd and has fish

 

http://www.johnnyvlasolas dot com

 

A typical seafood place that has been around forever is 15th st Fisheries... I don't know about "Fish".... I lived in ft.laud for 13 yrs but a lot has changed since I moved in '96!!!!

 

Dont' forget Stone crab claws will be in season!!!!

 

 

CC

[spookwife]

Wine O...... We didn't get that far up to that area but want to do that area next time I visit via a land trip. I have some contacts there that own a winery. He was a retired dentist who bought a vineyard. Very small production vineyard.

 

What programs did they have on board? was it still sponsored by kendall jackson? I would love to do it again but hubby is not a wine O like me. He would be bored.

 

CC

 

 

what's the name of the winery? when we lived in Monetery one of our FAVORITES was a guy who was a dentist by day and made wine out of his garage on the weekends

 

I currently have 2 bottles of Bernardus Marinus 2001 that made me swoon with delight when it was first released. we were lucky enough to be at Taste of Monetery the day the winemarker delivered it.. and he promptly told us to save it for another 5 years. so they are written in bright silver sharpie to not open til 2012.. which coincidently will be our next cruise...

[Hlitner]

The wine pricing discussion is interesting. It is true that the higher priced wines ($50 and up) seem to be marked-up about $25 over retail. But, a majority of cruisers that drink wine tend to order lower priced wines in the $30 dollar range and this is where the mark-ups are more severe. For example, a simple Kendall Jackson Vintners Reserve Chard shows on the MDR wine list at $38. This wine generally retails for approximately $16 (and less when on sale). When you consider that X adds 15% to the price of any wine that $38 wine will end up costing you $43.70 or a 173% mark-up. Now you must consider that X can buy their wine tax-free so their cost for that $16 bottle (at retail) is probably in the range of $11 - $12. So the real mark-up is actually in excess of 300%. This is still better than in many restaurants, but a bargain it is not!

 

Hank