I love wine and I love travel, so that's one reason I absolutely love cruising with Viking since they are one of the few major cruise lines that allows you to both take wine on board the ship at embarkation as well as being able to bring local discoveries back onto the ship where you can enjoy them anywhere from bars and lounges to dinner - including at the more fancy plated restaurants like Manfredies and The Restaurant. The same is true on Viking Ocean and Viking River cruises as well.
On this cruise though it was extra special because we were doing a two week Great Lakes Collection exploring all five of the Great Lakes and so I wanted to curate a selection of vintages that both reflected the luxury vibe - pairing with lobster, prime steaks, sushi etc. but then also others that while still fine wines would be perfect for relaxing on the back deck or enjoying in our Nordic Balcony while cruising on a hot summer day.
I'm happy to report that because they were protected by our VinGardeValise wine suitcase we didn't have any troubles transporting them by plane, shuttle bus, porters etc. and despite the heft of having 12 bottles of wine it also rolled extraordinarily well so it was easy to move around.
If you are interested in getting your own please check out our VinGardeValise review or you can buy your own right now:
The VinGardeValise Grande 12-Bottle Wine Suitcase is available directly from the manufacturer's website at $395, with free shipping on orders over $200. Use promo code MANTRIPPING20 for exclusive savings when purchasing from the official VinGardeValise store. You can also purchase it on Amazon.com with Prime delivery options.
We kicked things off with the Piper-Heidsieck to celebrate this bucketlist voyage and also because this was actually Heather and I's first vacation in more than 2 years so we were pretty excited to spend some time together doing something amazing.
NOTE: just to clarify, these are not wines from Viking's cellar, while they have a fabulous wine collection on all of their ships ... and an assortment with close to zero markup - these are ones that we brought on board for our personal consumption.
Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut
Champagne, France | $69
From the most awarded Champagne house of the century and the first to become B Corp certified, Piper-Heidsieck continues to uphold its legacy of excellence since 1785. This multi-vintage blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay offers elegant notes of pear, white peach, citrus, and orange blossom, with toasted bread, fresh almonds, and mint on the palate.
Santiago Ruiz 2023
Rías Baixas, Spain | $21
An O Rosal blend from one of Spain's premier white wine regions, showcasing the minerality and freshness that Rías Baixas is renowned for. This was a really surprising wine that I didn't expect to enjoy as much as I did (and my mom who was with us ... normally only drinks reds because she says she doesn't love white wine was genuinely disappointed when we told her the bottle was finished). It just goes to show how good Spanish wines are and at the price point that most are available at - it is a shame that more people aren't promoting them.
Pazo Señorans 2023
Salnés, Rías Baixas, Spain | $29.95
From the prestigious Salnés subregion of Rías Baixas, this Pazo Señorans albariño demonstrates the refined character that has made this producer a benchmark for the varietal. Known for its mineral complexity and bright acidity.
Pazo de Lusco 2023
Rías Baixas, Spain | $24.99
Another excellent expression from Rías Baixas, the Spanish destination known for growing fabulous Albarino grapes. This Pazo de Lusco presents the characteristic saline minerality and citrus-driven profile that makes these Spanish whites perfect companions for seafood and coastal dining.
2021 RISE
Early Mountain Vineyards, Virginia | $150
A 93-point James Suckling-rated powerhouse representing Virginia's emerging wine scene from Early Mountain Vineyards. This reserve bottling showcases dynamic aromas of Damson plum, wild blackberries, and cassis, layered with cedar, cacao, and forest floor notes. Dense structure with persistent tannins and well-integrated acidity. Comes in a collector's pinewood box.
I deliberately wanted to include wines from places like Virginia because of the fact that it defies conventional wisdom that you can have really good quality wines from this part of the country but that fits with our experience exploring the Great Lakes too. Frankly when we first started talking about Viking Great Lakes cruises several years ago the attitude from people we spoke with was to dismiss the region "who would want to cruise to Detroit?!" ... the same reaction that we get when talking about wines from Virginia but once people give it a chance they tend to reconsider and that was certainly true for this Great Lakes cruise ... just as it was for this bottle from Virginia.
Luce 2022
Tuscany, Italy | $149
A prestigious Sangiovese-Merlot blend from one of Tuscany's most celebrated estates, Tenuta Luce displays a shimmering ruby color with aromas of red berries, redcurrant, and pomegranate, infused with delicate floral essences. The palate offers ripe, supple tannins with a crisp, vibrant mid-palate and full-flavored, near-endless finish.
Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Marlborough, New Zealand | $36
Intense aromas of grapefruit and blackcurrant buds lead to a rich, salty, mineral palate in this expressive offering from Saint Clair. This Sauvignon Blanc boasts concentrated flavors of passionfruit and crushed herbs, accompanied by a generous, weighty finish that showcases Marlborough's distinctive terroir.
2024 BY.OTT Côtes de Provence Rosé
Provence, France | $27.99
I'm a sucker for Provence-style Rose's and this one from the world's most famous rosé producer, Domaines Ott did not disapoint! The pale crystal pink wine offers delicate notes of white peach, apricot, passion fruit, and mango. The palate is full, fresh, and crisp with citrus zest and sweet spices like cinnamon and cardamom. Made from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah.
Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma County 2024 Sauvignon Blanc
Sonoma County, California | $25
From the esteemed Russian River Valley region, this sustainably certified Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma-Cutrer offers a pale lemon color with aromas of tropical flowers, pomelo, and bergamot. Fresh pineapple and white flower notes are accented by basil leaf and lemongrass, creating a polished wine with vibrant character and finesse.
Donnafugata Lighea 2023
Sicily, Italy | $20
A unique Zibibbo (Moscato di Alessandria) from Pantelleria Island, Donnafugata's Lighea features a bright straw yellow color with greenish hues. The aromatic bouquet combines classic orange blossom with citrus hints of cedar and bergamot, plus exotic lychee notes. The palate resurfaces fruity and floral notes with marked freshness and a pleasant mineral finish.
2023 DAOU Reserve Chardonnay
Edna Valley, California | $60
Sourced from old vines in the cool-climate Edna Valley, this elegant Chardonnay from DAOU Vineyards offers lush aromas of pineapple, golden apple, and jasmine. The palate unfolds with creamy layers of melon, citrus, and pear, complemented by hints of vanilla and rosehip. A streak of crisp acidity delivers a refreshing, mouthwatering finish that pairs beautifully with seafood.
Lemon Creek Great Lakes Rosé
Southwest Michigan | Local Purchase
An off-dry Chambourcin rosé from Lemon Creek Winery featuring raspberry aromas with dark cherry and pomegranate flavors. With 0.8 residual sugar, this rosé offers more fruit-forward sweetness compared to their bone-dry Compass Rosé, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a touch of sweetness with their wine.
The contrast between Lemon Creek's two rosés perfectly demonstrates the versatility of Southwest Michigan winemaking. While the Compass Rosé (0.3 RS) showcases a traditional French Saignée method using a Meritage blend with crushed strawberry and raspberry notes and a refreshingly dry finish, the Great Lakes Rosé takes a different approach with single-varietal Chambourcin grapes and a slightly sweeter profile.
The Great Lakes Rosé's off-dry character and deeper fruit flavors - think dark cherry and pomegranate versus the Compass's lighter strawberry and currant - made it particularly enjoyable during our afternoon deck time when we wanted something a bit more fruit-forward and approachable. Both wines represent the genuine, unpretentious spirit that drew us to Southwest Michigan wines in the first place, but they serve different moments and moods throughout a cruise day.
Having both on board gave us options depending on what we were pairing them with or the time of day - the Compass for more serious wine moments and food pairings, the Great Lakes for casual sipping while watching the shoreline roll by.
Lemon Creek Compass Rosé
Southwest Michigan | Local Purchase
A Meritage blend crafted using the traditional French Saignée method from Lemon Creek Winery, representing the local terroir of Southwest Michigan. Features crushed strawberry aromas with raspberry and currant flavors and a refreshingly dry finish.
This wine comes from our new hometown, where our condo and office is located in St Joseph, Michigan, located just across from Chicago, Illinois. We love this area since it's where Heather and I learned to really enjoy wine. While our tastes have continued to evolve over time, Lemon Creek in particular continues to be a special place for us and a reminder that while France, Italy, California etc. might sound fancier and bottles might be more expensive - wine is special for the craftsmanship, the people who work to transform it from vines that bear fruit to blending and packaging and telling the story through a bit of magic and blessings by what god and nature deliver that year.
It's also a reminder that wine is meant to be enjoyed! While the Southwest Michigan wines aren't expensive, they are always enjoyable, fun, and drinkable, reflecting an attitude about life that I enjoy.
So drink up, share a bottle with someone special and enjoy life a bit!
