Best Wine River Cruise Regions

Each wine river tells a different story in the glass. Here are the regions worth sailing, and what to taste on each.

The Douro (Portugal)

Port wine country and Portugal’s most dramatic valley — terraced vineyards, family quintas and tastings of Port, Douro reds and whites. The most scenic wine cruise in Europe.

Bordeaux (Garonne, Dordogne & Gironde)

A round-trip from Bordeaux through the Médoc, Saint-Émilion and Sauternes — the world’s most celebrated châteaux and cellars, all reached by river.

The Rhine & Mosel

Riesling heartland — steep terraced slopes, storybook wine villages and crisp, aromatic whites from Germany’s finest vineyards.

The Rhône (Burgundy & Provence)

From Lyon south through Burgundy and the Côtes du Rhône — bold reds, France’s gastronomic capital and sun-drenched Provençal vineyards.

The Danube & beyond

Austria’s Wachau produces crisp Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, and themed Danube sailings add a wine dimension to the classic route.

Douro voyages start in Porto and Bordeaux sailings are round-trip from the city itself — see hotels in Porto and Bordeaux hotel options for a night among the wine bars before boarding.

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