Vino lovers, rejoice! Today is National Wine Day, a day that recognizes the historical and cultural significance of wine and winemaking. As an international cruise brand with Italian heritage, Costa Cruises takes great pride in ensuring each ship carries the finest selection of wines on board — from renowned Italian vintners and acclaimed wineries across the world.
Costa Cruise’s partnership with the Ferrari label gives guests a reason to toast all cruise long. Since 1902, Ferrari has been Italy’s premier metodo classico sparkling wine producer. Their expansive collection of award-winning wine can be found on every Costa ship, including a Ferrari-themed wine bar on Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana. At the Ferrari Spazio Bollicine, guests can sip on Ferrari bubbles paired with gourmet tapas.
“As one of the leading cruise lines in Europe, Costa takes pride in our long tradition of featuring an extensive wine list on board with some exceptional vintages for wine lovers and connoisseurs, alike,” said Scott Knutson, vice president of sales and marketing for Costa Cruises North America. “With our new food and wine outlets, our partnership with Ferrari and Frescobaldi, and incredible wine-themed shore excursions, there’s no better way to celebrate National Wine Day than on a Costa cruise. Salute!”
On Costa Smeralda and Costa Firenze, guests also can learn how to taste wine like a pro during an exclusive Frescobaldi wine experience onboard. This tasting of five elegant Frescobaldi wines, each boasting distinct flavors and aromas, is guided by an expert sommelier and includes a virtual visit to the family’s gorgeous Tuscan estates.
Another novelty onboard Costa Smeralda is Osteria Frescobaldi, the first Frescobaldi restaurant at sea. Guests can transport their taste buds with a glass of the finest red wine and a dinner of traditional Florentine recipes, such as Trippa alla Florentina (Florentine-style tripe) or Pici alle Briciole (pici pasta with breadcrumbs).
History of Frescobaldi
The Frescobaldi family has been pioneering the production of wine in Tuscany for over 700 years, beginning in the early 1300s. As one of the oldest wine-making families in Italy, they introduced new wine varietals, such as chardonnay, cabernet, and merlot, to the region in 1855. Today, Frescobaldi owns eight estates throughout Tuscany.
The world of Italian vino is vast, and on a Costa shore excursion in the Mediterranean and Europe travelers can visit well-known wineries and vineyards, such as the Barolo winery in Savona; the historic Cantine Russo winery at the foot of Mount Etna; the Yedibilgeler vineyard in Turkey; the famous Audarya winery in Serdiana; and the Santo Wines, Artemis Karamolegos and Anhydrous wineries in Santorini. This is an incredible opportunity to enjoy a guided tour of a vineyard, see the grapes up close, walk through the wine cellar and taste and compare local wines.