My impressions of the new wine menu

[Steelers36]

2 minutes ago, CC Rider 69 said:

We'll doing the repo of the CB next week and have tours of Moosehead (St John), Alexander Keith (Halifax), & a can't remember pub/brewery in Sydney. Any recommendations on a good brew to try while we're in Canadian ports?

You will probably have fun at those.  They were originally small local breweries, but the "big boys" (Anheuser Busch - InBev via Labatt's) have bought them up.  However, I think they still go along with their original recipes.  Have not been to Maritimes in ages so not sure what local craft brews might be there.  Just inquire at bars or taverns where you might pop in.

 

(We don't have any major Canadian brewers actually owned entirely Canadian anymore.  Labatt's is part of InBev and Molson's merged with Coor's.  Many independent craft brewers across the country.  They are my go-to, along with international imports.)

 

[XBGuy]

13 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

It's a shame that Princess doesn't have sommeliers. Unfortunately the majority of the waiters on cruise ships don't know much about wine so you can't ask them for recommendations.

 

I agree that most of the servers are not terribly knowledgeable.  However, I have found that many of the headwaiters do have good knowledge.

 

On the Royal Princess, last month, we found an excellent headwaiter, Franco, in the Sabatini's restaurant.  He and I hit it off on our first visit.  He gave me some excellent guidance on picking a Super Tuscan wine on that visit, and on our second visit he gave my wife a recommendation on a Sardinian white wine that pleased her, very much.

 

I do not ask for help, very often, when reviewing a wine list.  The reason I asked for help that first night was because the wine I originally chose was not available (a lengthy and somewhat amusing story that I won't detail, here).  When informed of that, I asked for a recommendation for a similar wine.  The Sabatini's menu had quite a few Super Tuscans--most of which I had no familiarity.  I figured that asking for help would speed up the decision-making process.

 

I'll also add that on that first visit Franco made sure we were aware of the Super Tuscan wine dinner that was to be offered later in the cruise.  I had seen reports, here on Cruise Critic, where people had a Super Tuscan wine lunch on Royal class ships, and I was not interested in that.  However, we were all over the idea of the dinner.  It was amazing.  I wouldn't be surprised if this caused a dust up, but we enjoyed it much more that the Chef's Table experience that we had the previous evening.

[NSWP]

17 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Les, there are some differences between the Australian wine list and the US one but many of the wines are the same. Essentially they've removed some of the US wines on the Australian wine list and replaced them with wines from Australia and NZ. The variety is amazing. There is something there to suit everybody's palate (but maybe not their pocket).

 

Are the prices over the top? Personally I don't think so. I don't think it's fair to compare them with bottle shop prices. They have a similar markup to wines in reasonable Australian restaurants. For example their lower priced Italian wines are very similar prices to those at my local pizzeria. Although one Italian wine, the Prunetto Barolo, is actually cheaper than the single bottle price at Dan Murphys! We did enjoy a bottle or three of that one. 😄

 

And they aren't cheap wines. I recognised most of the Australian and New Zealand labels and they are all very good wines, certainly higher quality than Yellowtail, and some were probably cheaper than I could get them in a restaurant here. 

Thanks for your comment. However I would like to see some more affordable quaffer style commercial wines on the wine list instead of mostly premium ones. There would be a market on board for wines selling on board say at $25 instead of $50 ? 

Princess could put on the Yellow Tails, Wolf Blass etc for a reasonable price and they would sell more.

Edited October 19, 2019 by NSWP

[NSWP]

8 hours ago, steelers36 said:

You will probably have fun at those.  They were originally small local breweries, but the "big boys" (Anheuser Busch - InBev via Labatt's) have bought them up.  However, I think they still go along with their original recipes.  Have not been to Maritimes in ages so not sure what local craft brews might be there.  Just inquire at bars or taverns where you might pop in.

 

(We don't have any major Canadian brewers actually owned entirely Canadian anymore.  Labatt's is part of InBev and Molson's merged with Coor's.  Many independent craft brewers across the country.  They are my go-to, along with international imports.)

 

Which Canadian Brewer is brewing Fosters Lager under licence? 

[OzKiwiJJ]

22 minutes ago, NSWP said:

Thanks for your comment. However I would like to see some more affordable quaffer style commercial wines on the wine list instead of mostly premium ones. There would be a market on board for wines selling on board say at $25 instead of $50 ? 

Princess could put on the Yellow Tails, Wolf Blass etc for a reasonable price and they would sell more.

True and they could do it with the Australian wine list. 

 

Part of the problem with the price of the European and US wines is the exchange rate unfortunately.

Edited October 19, 2019 by OzKiwiJJ

[NSWP]

2 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

True and they could do it with the Australian wine list. 

Indeed they could, many commercial wine drinking quaffers on the Australian Princess ships.  Who knows, dare I say it put on some 'giraffes of 'chateau cardboard.'   Perhaps that is taking affordable wine a little far.🤣  Although in the past I have seen carafe wine served on P&O UK, 500ml carafes of probably Spanish descent , enough for 2 at a very affordable price from memory.

[Tak8]

XBGUY:  Can you describe the Tuscan Wine Dinner more?  Sounds like a good option.

[Cruise Raider]

On 10/18/2019 at 2:42 PM, steelers36 said:

@XBGuy and @Cruise Raider - like your posts.  On Cali Chard's, if there is one thing to say about them, many are OVER-oaked, so I agree should be no problem finding that.  IMO, the new wine list is far superior over-all to the old one.  That said, I still prefer to bring my own when at all possible.

 

When we sail out of our home port of San Francisco, I also like taking my own wine and paying the corkage ... but on longer cruises, I may take a couple / few of my own bottles and then just buy a wine bottle package.  

And yes, I agree, many of the California chardonnays are significantly oaked....something I have really acquired a taste for.  I always try to support our local economy so, these wines make it very easy for me to do so!  😉 

[richstowe]

Does anyone have a link to the wine package selection's . Someone posted only a "gold" package is available . What are the details?

I will be on a Sapphire cruise out of Singapore . Will my cruise have the Australian version of the wine list ? Anyone have any info ?

thanks

On 10/19/2019 at 7:31 AM, ProfMHC said:

I actually saw the Princess award in the August 2019 “dining” issue of Wine Spectator. (We have been subscribers for years). I then found the Princess press release from which I extracted my post. Another quote: “The Award of Excellence recognizes restaurants whose wine lists feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Wine Spectator began its program to recognize the world’s best wine lists in 1981. There are three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award.” That being said, I have watched folks pick a “Two Buck Chuck” over a Chateau Margaux at a blind taste testing!

People choose and prefer wine based on their eyes and egos ($$$'s is better because I'm better) . I was once with a crowd of self-proclaimed vinophiles . We were served a high end wine that they oohed and aahed about . I tasted it and it was seriously corked . Perhaps the emperor has no clothes . 

Edited October 20, 2019 by richstowe

[XBGuy]

19 hours ago, Tak8 said:

XBGUY:  Can you describe the Tuscan Wine Dinner more?  Sounds like a good option.

 

I can.  I've been chastised once before by Cruise Critic for trying to hijack a thread.  So, I will present a brief summary without the pictures.

 

The dinner was held in the Sabatini's space.  The room was open only to those who had signed up for the event, and it was completely full.

 

As we entered the room we were handed a glass of Prosecco and a nice piece Parmigiano Rieggiano that Chef sliced off a block.  Franco, the Sabatini's headwaiter, escorted us to our two-top table.  I have to say, we were given a primo table in the corner next to a starboard side window.

 

The Maitre d' and Chef made some opening comments after everybody settled in.  As you might imagine, the dinner consisted of multiple courses--each of which was accompanied by a glass of wine.  There was commentary on each of the wines from Franco or Davide, one of the dining room headwaiters.

 

The first course was an Octopus Carpaccio with 2017 La Cala Vermentino di Sardegna.  OK, that was not a Super Tuscan wine.  I should mention that Franco is from Sardinia and is very proud of Sardinian wines.  I am sure that he had some influence, there.

 

The second course was a Clam and White Bean soup and it was accompanied with 2015 Il Borro Toscana IGT.  I was completely unfamiliar with this wine but was very pleased with it.

 

The third course was a Risotto with 2016 Tignanello Toscana IGT.  This is the wine that was unavailable when I ordered it on our first visit to Sabatini's early in the cruise.  To shorten the long story, on our first visit, they had not, yet, found the pallet that was loaded in San Pedro with the Tig.  So, the wine had not, yet been delivered to the Sabatini's storage.

 

The fourth (entree) course, was a sliced grilled Sirloin Steak with 2015 Luce della Vite Toscana IGT.  Not surprisingly, the wine just kept getting better.

 

Dessert was some sort of cake with a glass of Limoncello and, if desired, coffee.

 

The cover charge was $60 pp.

 

I'd do it, again, in a heartbeat.

[gotta cruise again]

Thank you XBGuy for the description of the Super Tuscan dinner. I personally do not consider it a highjack of this thread as the thread is about the new wine list, which may/may not include the Super Tuscans and/or any other wines that could be served at this dinner. Similarly, if anyone described any other special dining experiences onboard and included the wine(s) that were served, those descriptions only enhance the discussion about the wine list as they may highlight some other wine options that are available yet not on the current wine list.

[OzKiwiJJ]

9 hours ago, richstowe said:

Does anyone have a link to the wine package selection's . Someone posted only a "gold" package is available . What are the details?

I will be on a Sapphire cruise out of Singapore . Will my cruise have the Australian version of the wine list ? Anyone have any info ?

thanks

 

There are no specific wines associated with tbe wine package. You are free to choose any wine on the wine list up to the maximum, which I thknk is $45 per bottle, without incurring any extra charge, or you can choose a more expensive wine and pay the difference ie price less $45.

 

You will get the US wine list on cruises out of Singapore, and the price listed does not include the 18% gratuity. When you buy the wine package you do pay the gratuity on that, I think.

[c-boy]

4 hours ago, XBGuy said:

 

I can.  I've been chastised once before by Cruise Critic for trying to hijack a thread.  So, I will present a brief summary without the pictures.

 

The dinner was held in the Sabatini's space.  The room was open only to those who had signed up for the event, and it was completely full.

 

As we entered the room we were handed a glass of Prosecco and a nice piece Parmigiano Rieggiano that Chef sliced off a block.  Franco, the Sabatini's headwaiter, escorted us to our two-top table.  I have to say, we were given a primo table in the corner next to a starboard side window.

 

The Maitre d' and Chef made some opening comments after everybody settled in.  As you might imagine, the dinner consisted of multiple courses--each of which was accompanied by a glass of wine.  There was commentary on each of the wines from Franco or Davide, one of the dining room headwaiters.

 

The first course was an Octopus Carpaccio with 2017 La Cala Vermentino di Sardegna.  OK, that was not a Super Tuscan wine.  I should mention that Franco is from Sardinia and is very proud of Sardinian wines.  I am sure that he had some influence, there.

 

The second course was a Clam and White Bean soup and it was accompanied with 2015 Il Borro Toscana IGT.  I was completely unfamiliar with this wine but was very pleased with it.

 

The third course was a Risotto with 2016 Tignanello Toscana IGT.  This is the wine that was unavailable when I ordered it on our first visit to Sabatini's early in the cruise.  To shorten the long story, on our first visit, they had not, yet, found the pallet that was loaded in San Pedro with the Tig.  So, the wine had not, yet been delivered to the Sabatini's storage.

 

The fourth (entree) course, was a sliced grilled Sirloin Steak with 2015 Luce della Vite Toscana IGT.  Not surprisingly, the wine just kept getting better.

 

Dessert was some sort of cake with a glass of Limoncello and, if desired, coffee.

 

The cover charge was $60 pp.

 

I'd do it, again, in a heartbeat.

sign us up... appreciate  specific wine and  dish pairings.  

[NemoCrownie]

1 hour ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

There are no specific wines associated with tbe wine package. You are free to choose any wine on the wine list up to the maximum, which I thknk is $45 per bottle, without incurring any extra charge, or you can choose a more expensive wine and pay the difference ie price less $45.

 

You will get the US wine list on cruises out of Singapore, and the price listed does not include the 18% gratuity. When you buy the wine package you do pay the gratuity on that, I think.

Our first Princess cruise is coming up and this is the first I have heard about the wine package. Do you have information on number of bottles and cost, please? I assumed we would have to bring on (and pay corkage) or pay the full bottle prices. 

 

I see nothing about this in the cruise planner and I would appreciate more information. If it matters, I prefer Zinfadel, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cab, Burgundy's, etc. and we are not connoisseurs by any stretch of the imagination. We can almost always find nice $15 bottles that are in our everyday wheelhouse.

[Cruise Raider]

15 hours ago, NemoCrownie said:

Our first Princess cruise is coming up and this is the first I have heard about the wine package. Do you have information on number of bottles and cost, please? I assumed we would have to bring on (and pay corkage) or pay the full bottle prices. 

 

I see nothing about this in the cruise planner and I would appreciate more information. If it matters, I prefer Zinfadel, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cab, Burgundy's, etc. and we are not connoisseurs by any stretch of the imagination. We can almost always find nice $15 bottles that are in our everyday wheelhouse.

 

Unfortunately, they will not sell these or even tell you about the wine packages on the personalizer.  And, they are supposedly only available for purchase on a 10 night cruise or longer but I've purchased one on a 7 night sailing in the past.  Then again, I've heard of other sailings over 10 nights where they weren't available.  It would be great if they offered them on our personalizers so at least we know for sure if they are available or not on our sailings.  I would gladly save myself all the hassle of doing the heavy lifting and bringing my own if I knew for sure they are going to be available on my cruise.  On my last sailing, I brought some as well as buying a package. 

Attached below is a copy of the wine list from 2018, which seemed to be the same one we had been given in the MDR on our cruise a couple of weeks ago.  

 

I can tell you that the price, with gratuity added for a case (12 bottles) came to just under $400 (approx $396) so, $33 a bottle.  The discount is a bit smaller with the 10 bottle package and smaller yet with the 7 bottle package.  Sorry I can't remember the exact pricing of the smaller packages but think each bottle is a couple bucks more with 10 bottles and a couple bucks more than that with the 7 bottle package.  And, as others have noted, there is only the one package available now.  

 

Also, if you purchased a bottle that was over the limit, let's say $55, you would be charged $55 on your folio, followed by a $45 credit ... so that $33 a bottle, assuming you purchased the 12 bottle package, would now be $43 cost to you. 

 

Lastly, there are different wine lists in the specialty restaurants and Vines than you will see on the attached menu.  With the wine bottle package, you are only allowed to get your wine bottle in one of the dining rooms, including the specialty dining rooms (and Alfredos, if there is one) but not at the buffet, at any of the bars or lounges or at Vines.  That was my experience, anyway.  However, if you are in the one of the places where they offer the bottles of wine from the package, you are always welcome to take a bottle or two, opened or unopened, back to your cabin.  

 

 

 

 

 

Wine-Menu Princess 2018.pdf

[KeepCalmBearOn]

On 10/18/2019 at 3:11 PM, c-boy said:

well shoot this is depressing lol 😄. I'm headin' out next month and was looking forward to this vast selection from all over the world.  What do you suggest in the red wine offerings ?

 

I would take note of the differing opinions of the Aussie OP and responses in #18 & #19, both from California.

 

I was going to respond, but both said it better than I could and both mentioned my favorite wine at the moment, Rombauer Chardonnay, which is the best chardonnay I've had in a very long time.

[NemoCrownie]

1 hour ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

Unfortunately, they will not sell these or even tell you about the wine packages on the personalizer.  And, they are supposedly only available for purchase on a 10 night cruise or longer but I've purchased one on a 7 night sailing in the past.  Then again, I've heard of other sailings over 10 nights where they weren't available.  It would be great if they offered them on our personalizers so at least we know for sure if they are available or not on our sailings.  I would gladly save myself all the hassle of doing the heavy lifting and bringing my own if I knew for sure they are going to be available on my cruise.  On my last sailing, I brought some as well as buying a package. 

Attached below is a copy of the wine list from 2018, which seemed to be the same one we had been given in the MDR on our cruise a couple of weeks ago.  

 

I can tell you that the price, with gratuity added for a case (12 bottles) came to just under $400 (approx $396) so, $33 a bottle.  The discount is a bit smaller with the 10 bottle package and smaller yet with the 7 bottle package.  Sorry I can't remember the exact pricing of the smaller packages but think each bottle is a couple bucks more with 10 bottles and a couple bucks more than that with the 7 bottle package.  And, as others have noted, there is only the one package available now.  

 

Also, if you purchased a bottle that was over the limit, let's say $55, you would be charged $55 on your folio, followed by a $45 credit ... so that $33 a bottle, assuming you purchased the 12 bottle package, would now be $43 cost to you. 

 

Lastly, there are different wine lists in the specialty restaurants and Vines than you will see on the attached menu.  With the wine bottle package, you are only allowed to get your wine bottle in one of the dining rooms, including the specialty dining rooms (and Alfredos, if there is one) but not at the buffet, at any of the bars or lounges or at Vines.  That was my experience, anyway.  However, if you are in the one of the places where they offer the bottles of wine from the package, you are always welcome to take a bottle or two, opened or unopened, back to your cabin.  

 

 

 

 

 

Wine-Menu Princess 2018.pdf 604.53 kB · 3 downloads

Perfect and I see acceptable Reds on the list.  We are doing the 15 day Hawaii cruise on the Star and it sounds like there is no way to know if this will be offered, correct?

[Cruise Raider]

5 hours ago, NemoCrownie said:

Perfect and I see acceptable Reds on the list.  We are doing the 15 day Hawaii cruise on the Star and it sounds like there is no way to know if this will be offered, correct?

 

My guess is that it will be offered as Princess says they are available on all sailings 10 or more days.  What made me nervous was that someone on the Caribbean Princess noted that it wasn't available on their longer sailing but I bet you could have also asked people on our cruise and they would have said the same thing ... and we got it.  It is just not  advertised anywhere and they don't seem to be pushing it either.  

My only concern for you is that Princess changes their policies often.  I think you will just have to wait until your sailing gets closer before you can know for sure.  

[OzKiwiJJ]

7 hours ago, scottca075 said:

 

I would take note of the differing opinions of the Aussie OP and responses in #18 & #19, both from California.

 

I was going to respond, but both said it better than I could and both mentioned my favorite wine at the moment, Rombauer Chardonnay, which is the best chardonnay I've had in a very long time.

Please don't take the OP's comments as being representative of all Australian wine drinkers. I'm from Australia and my opinion of the new wine list is diametrically opposite the OP's. 

[NSWP]

The wine list posted above would be in US Dollars, so the same wines on the Australian based Princess ships would have the price tag increased by some 40% on conversion from USD to AUD.  Which for us makes it mighty expensive vino.i.e. from US$40 to AU$56.😮

[Aus Traveller]

46 minutes ago, NSWP said:

The wine list posted above would be in US Dollars, so the same wines on the Australian based Princess ships would have the price tag increased by some 40% on conversion from USD to AUD.  Which for us makes it mighty expensive vino.i.e. from US$40 to AU$56.😮

On the Australian-based cruises wine starts at AUD$42, then the next dearest one at AUD$45 per bottle, but that's the amount we pay - there is no 18% gratuity added. 😊

[subaru94]

On 10/19/2019 at 6:31 AM, greenie082756 said:

Is my understanding of the wine menu correct? That if it does not have a glass price you can only

purchase by the bottle?

I saw a few that interested me but I do not want to buy the whole bottle and find out it is not 

what I thought it would be.

You can buy a bottle and have it saved until the next day/night, we do that quite often works out cheaper, although our next cruise we intend taking 4 bottles on board, and paying corkage for 2 of them, I really like the wine menu, maybe not the pricing when it is converted to Australian hence taking our own wine onboard.

[Cruise Raider]

On 10/18/2019 at 1:01 PM, greenie082756 said:

Is my understanding of the wine menu correct? That if it does not have a glass price you can only

purchase by the bottle?

I saw a few that interested me but I do not want to buy the whole bottle and find out it is not 

what I thought it would be.

 

I think it depends on who is pouring the wine.  I've seen them give tastes by the glass for wines that were only sold by the bottle.  Sure hope that doesn't get anybody in trouble for posting this but how are you  to know if you like it or not unless you taste it.  

 

[USCcruisecrazy]

I really can't comment on too many of the wines on the new wine list, because we generally bring a bottle per day with us for however many days the cruise is.  In fact, our last 7 day cruise we brought 8 bottles (1 Champagne) in order to have mimosa's in the morning.  Wine tastes vary between regions, but I have found very few reds I don't like, whether from California, Germany, Australia, or anywhere in between!

[amypete]

We just got off the Caribbean in New England and spent a lot of time at Vines. Wished I could say what brand some wines were but we like dry wines - my husband the rich dry reds and I like chards, roses and reds a long as they are dry.  We had no trouble finding wine to drink (and had the sip & sail) . I did ask about some wines we had had the previous year on a California cruise and the Vines bartender said they will sometimes get different wines on the California side versus the east coast. We had some good blends (one in particular on the Vines menu) and there was a really good buttery chard I had as well.