National Drink Wine Day: A Toast to Wine at Sea with Oceania Cruises

Every Wine Deserves a Day

Is there anything more agreeable in life than a quiet moment and a superb glass of wine? We don’t think so, either. That’s why we celebrate National Drink Wine Day on February 18. It’s not just rankings or dictating what wine goes with what cut of meat. It’s a reminder that whether enjoying a simple home-cooked meal with family, a sunset gathering with friends or a romantic dinner at a specialty restaurant on an Oceania Cruises ship, wine makes everything better.

It’s Wine O’Clock Somewhere

Aboard Oceania Cruises, wine can easily become part of every day, without the need for a special occasion. You’ll find it at lunch, at dinner and in between, chosen with care but never presented with fuss. It’s part of the everyday pleasure of life on board, where the elegant setting and the wine simply feel in sync.

Wine also becomes a kind of journey in its own right. Each glass offers a sense of place, whether you’re sipping a crisp 2023 Villa Maria sauvignon blanc from Marlborough, bright and refreshing, or settling into a glass of 2022 Poesie Valpolicella DOC from the Veneto, lively and reliably food-friendly. While you’re busy discovering the world aboard Oceania Cruises, the wines have already done some traveling of their own, arriving from vineyards near and far to meet you right at the table.

The Perfect Marriage of Food and Wine

A glass of wine may be heaven, but pair it with the right menu and it becomes absolute perfection. Food and wine simply go together, and Oceania Cruises celebrates that marriage with unforgettable onboard pairing experiences.

Sommelier-led pairing meals reward your curiosity more than deep-rooted expertise. Champagne dinners feel celebratory rather than stuffy. Instead of a formal lecture on the nuances of soil conditions in wine-growing regions, stories shared tableside become the door to understanding what makes each pairing perfect. Along the way, you might discover how acidity brings balance to a rich, creamy pasta dish or why a dry, light white wine matches a bold and spicy entrée.

The emphasis is always on the fun of discovery and wine appreciation without intimidation. After all, it is a casual atmosphere that best creates the sense of ease and camaraderie with your fellow diners that invites you to explore, ask questions and enjoy the experience together.

Wine Takes Center Stage

One can’t talk about wine without talking about Champagne. Available on board Oceania Marina, Oceania Riviera, Oceania Vista, Oceania Allura and the upcoming Oceania Sonata, The Dom Pérignon Experience pairs the world’s finest Champagne with carefully crafted food pairings that elevate both in a way that is always surprising. Indulge – there is no other appropriate word – in a six-course menu with multiple Dom Pérignon vintages, matching dishes such as scallops with mole negro, black truffle risotto and roasted Chilean sea bass with sought-after bottles like the outstanding Dom Pérignon 2012. The result is eye-opening, revealing Champagne’s remarkable range across savory, layered flavors.

The Odyssey Menu, found aboard Oceania Marina, Oceania Riviera, Oceania Vista and Oceania Allura, takes a broader, more exploratory approach to wine pairing. Dishes such as Maine lobster cassolette paired with a Californian Mer Soleil Reserve 2021 chardonnay show how body and freshness can work together, while portobello mushroom risotto with smoked ricotta and black truffle finds an easy partner in Tenuta Guado Al Tasso Il Bruciato from Bolgheri.

Beyond these classic experiences, Oceania Cruises offers additional pairing events that showcase iconic producers and regional perspectives. The Moët & Chandon Champagne Experience, available aboard Oceania Marina, Oceania Riviera, Oceania Vista and Oceania Allura, presents a fun, food-forward look at one of Champagne’s most storied houses. The Gérard Bertrand Food and Wine Pairing Experience, currently offered aboard Oceania Marina, Oceania Riviera, Oceania Vista and Oceania Allura as well as Oceania Sonata debuting in 2027, focuses on biodynamic wines from southern France, paired with dishes that emphasize a bright Mediterranean influence.

Classic French cuisine takes the spotlight with La Cuisine Bourgeoise by Jacques Pépin, available aboard Oceania Riviera. Inspired by the comforting, ingredient-driven cooking of Pépin’s childhood, the menu showcases classics such as Roasted Beef Tenderloin paired with a 2014 Château Lynch-Moussas 5ème Cru Classé Pauillac.

Looking ahead, Oceania Cruises’ culinary program will expand with La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, debuting aboard Oceania Sonata in summer 2027. The Maîtres Cuisiniers de France is an illustrious association of chefs dedicated to preserving traditional French techniques and regional cooking, with membership limited to the best of the best. This exciting new dining experience will reflect that philosophy, pairing classically rooted cuisine with carefully selected wines.

Plenty to Pour Over

With food and, naturally, wine, at the heart of everything we do, Oceania Cruises cultivates wine lists that routinely offer not just the better-known vintages but some surprising hidden gems as well. Specially chosen wines are available with every meal, and knowledgeable sommeliers are always nearby to provide guidance.

As you might expect, Oceania Cruises’ wine list is curated by seasoned experts with a genuine passion for wine. A bottle such as Chile’s 2019 Errazuriz La Cumbre syrah brings depth and structure to the table, while a glass of 2020 Léon Beyer gewürztraminer from Alsace offers aromatic spice and rounded texture.

Oceania Cruises’ cellar depth becomes especially apparent when rare and revered bottles appear, such as a 2017 Château Margaux Premier Grand Cru Classé, representing centuries of refinement in Bordeaux, or a 2019 Harlan Estate red blend from California, intensely vivid and challenging to source. Whether enjoyed on their own or thoughtfully matched to the cuisine, the available wines span a range broad enough to suit every taste and style of dining.

Understanding Place through Wine

When exploring on land, Oceania Cruises’ Food & Wine Trails shore excursions uncover destinations through local gastronomy, offering a satisfying way to understand the culture of a destination. Led by knowledgeable culinary and wine guides, these full-day outings combine estate visits, historic settings and relaxed meals, where a glass of wine becomes a window into local history and tradition.

Across the Mediterranean, for example, the experiences vary in character and setting. In southern France, visits to Provençal estates and historic châteaux pair tastings with leisurely lunches and time to explore nearby fairytale villages. In Greece, Santorini’s volcanic landscape shapes the earthy undertones of the wine, with a cellar visit followed by time to wander whitewashed towns like Oia and Fira. Sicily’s excursions balance cultural exploration with vineyard visits on the slopes of Mount Etna, where Etna DOC wines are served alongside multi-course meals featuring homemade pasta and sauces.

Raise Your Glass, Your Way

Of course, one’s appreciation for wine is as varied as the many vineyards we visit. If you choose Wine & Beer by the Glass with the Your World Included value promise, you can enjoy select wines during lunch and dinner, while the Prestige Select Beverage Package allows you to sample unlimited wine by the glass, along with Champagne, cocktails, beers and spirits, across onboard venues and through room service. The freedom to follow your preferences, lingering over a familiar favorite or trying something new when the mood strikes, is all part of the experience.

And as wine culture continues to evolve, Oceania Cruises embraces that evolution. For guests who prefer non-alcoholic options, selections like Pierre Zéro sparkling wine provide participation without compromising taste. These selections are crafted to feel inclusive, allowing everyone at the table to partake fully in the moment.

A Toast to National Drink Wine Day

Wine has always been about more than what’s in the glass. It’s about nurturing a warm atmosphere, lasting memories and deeper connections. At Oceania Cruises, we extend a simple invitation on National Drink Wine Day. Raise a glass wherever you are and treasure the company you keep.

Cheers to that!

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