Experiencing a River Cruise in France’s Lovely Bordeaux Region
Scenic Diamond
The 149-guest Scenic Diamond takes guests throughout the Bordeaux region of France. Guests embarked Scenic Diamond in Bordeaux and overnighted in the beautiful city, before sailing to Libourne the next morning.
Charming St. Emilion
Guests took a guided walking tour of the charming town of St. Emilion, home to a bustling cafe in a plaza. The tour included a visit to the town’s claim to fame – the Monolithic Church, an underground structure dug out in the early 12th century underground. (Sorry, no photographs allowed in the church.)
Let the Wine Tasting Begin!
Our first wine tasting was at this chateau, which raises 160 acres of grape vines. Bordeaux is home to acres of vineyards, which produce excellent red wines using cabernet and merlot grapes, as well as a few white varietals.
The Dordogne Valley in France
The endless view from Chateau de La Riviere overlooking the Dordogne Valley. The chateau offers five rooms as a bed-and-breakfast – wouldn’t this view (and the wines) help you relax for a few days?
Wine Tasting and Classical Music
The next evening, guests visited Chateau D’Agassac – which was surrounded by a water-filled moat! – to taste sparkling wine and its renowned red wine. Afterwards, they enjoyed a string quartet playing classic music.
Tasting Reds in the Medoc Region
Chateau Gruaud-Larose produces Grand Cru wines with the St. Julian appellation using merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot grapes. Such a beautiful building and clock tower.
Getting Ready for Harvest
Winery workers prepare the production facilities in readiness for the harvest, which was expected to start in early or mid September.
In the Heart of Small Towns
Scenic Diamond docked in many small towns along the way so guests could easily walk into and explore the villages, either in lieu of or before or after an organized excursion. The vessel also carried electric bikes, which many rode for further explorations.
French Cooking Lessons!
The chefs onboard Scenic Diamond held numerous cooking classes during the week, most limited to 10 people. I attended a lesson on French onion soup with Executive Chef Normen Wolf. Of course, we ended the class with a tasting of the delicious soup, complete with a crouton and gooey Gruyere cheese.
Two Specialty Dining Experiences
Scenic Diamond has two specialty dinner options. One is La Rive, with seating for 10, held a few nights during the cruise, primarily for suite guests. The six-course degustation menu includes sommelier-paired wines. The other option is L’Amour, limited to several tables in the back of the lounge, near the windows. Every passenger will be invited to the five-course dinner at least once during the cruise. But I must point out that all the meals on Scenic Diamond were excellent. The dining room menus offer healthy, low-fat and low-carb options, as well as vegetarian selections. The chef makes a recommendation of three courses that are local favorites and regional dishes – foie de veau or duck breast confit, perhaps – and there are always-available choices like salmon, sirloin and chicken breast.
Fresh Oysters from the Bay
One lovely surprise was the serving of fresh oysters on the half shell shortly after they were pulled from the Bay of Arcachon, which has two dozen oyster farms. Served with a mignonette sauce, lemon wedges and hot sauce, they tasted briny and fresher than any oyster I’ve ever tasted.