The Tasting Panel magazine

EXCURSIONS Rivers of Riesling T CRUISING THROUGH GERMAN WINE COUNTRY WITH AMAWATERWAYS by Anthony Dias Blue he re-opening in 1981 of the enhanced and upgraded canal that connects Amsterdam with the shipping lanes of the Rhine River was intended to provide a major boost to European commerce. The new wider, deeper chan- nel did achieve that goal, but it also had a dramatic impact on tourism in the area. The 45-mile waterway has become the most heavily used canal in Western Europe and has helped create a booming river cruise industry in the region. In the fall of 2011, I hosted a week-long cruise on the MS AmaLegro from Amsterdam to Luxembourg, with stops along the Rhine and Mosel rivers. The ship is owned and operated by AmaWaterways, an award-winning leader in river cruising. The ten-year-old company operates twelve luxurious, modern ships on rivers around the world. Our ship had a capacity of 150 passengers (there were 110 aboard) and carried a large, friendly, professional and energetic crew. Staterooms were spacious, comfortable and provided high-speed internet and on-demand television. Wi-Fi was available throughout the ship and there was also a gym and an active bar that featured a special creative cocktail each day of the cruise. The food—at breakfast, lunch and dinner—was unexpectedly top-notch. Our cruise stopped at Cologne, Rüdesheim, Koblenz and Cochem along the Rhine and—after turning at Koblenz onto the Mosel—Zell and Bernkastel-Kues, ending just outside of Luxembourg City. There were opportunities at each port to tour the main attractions, including the stunning Gothic cathedral at Cologne, Siegfried's Music Cabinet, a museum in Rüdesheim displaying an impressive collection of antique musical instruments, the spectacular imperial castle at Cochem as well as an impressive assortment of wine cellars. In Zell, we were greeted by the mayor and the lovely Wine Queen and treated to a tasting of the famous Zeller Schwartze Katz Riesling and a concert by a very serious band which launched into a rousing Germanic version of "YMCA." I gave a series of lectures and wine tastings on board in the comfortable main salon. One featured the wines of the Rhine and another focused on Mosel wines. I even led a tasting of German beers and gave a lecture about the red wines of the world. There was also a formal wine dinner that paired local wines—both red and white—with an impres- sive five-course meal. Many of Germany's best wines were always available to guests during the week. Our cruise offered the matchless opportunity to sip lovely Rheingau and Mosel wines while the ship sailed gracefully past the remarkably steep and picturesque vineyards where they were grown. It was a delightful experience which I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys fine wine, good company and a unique travel experience. To learn about AmaWaterways' itineraries for 2012, visit www.amawaterways.com, call 1-800-626-0126 or consult your travel agent. The on the Mosel River. PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAWATERWAYS 122 / the tasting panel / january/february 2012 MS AmaL egr o

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