I’m probably not the target audience for this class on the Disney Wish. I signed up for the Stem to Stern Wine Tasting class with the assumption that perhaps it was Wine Tasting for Dummies. Intro to Wine For People Who Don’t Drink Wine. Hi, that’s me.
Now, imagine self-declared wine dummy (again, me) sitting in a lounge surrounded by people who know a thing or two. So glad I’m in the corner. That was my experience in a nutshell for the wine tasting. Thank you all for reading! We’ll see you nex….you want to hear more about it, don’t you? Fine.
Stem to Stern Overview
Stem to Stern is a wine tasting class on Disney Cruise Line. The exact location is unknown when booked in advance, but on the day of the class, in the DCL Navigator app, you’ll find the location details. During my particular cruise, the class was held at Nightingale’s. At the time of writing, the class is $50 and lasts an hour. You will be given 6 samples of wine to try; 3 white and 3 red. You will also receive a special pin for attending. Between glasses, feel free to clear your palate with some bottled water, also provided.
The instructor of the class, typically one of the higher ranking sommelier’s on the ship, will discuss the intricacies of each wine chosen and provide various details about that specific brand and general wine facts.
White Wine Number 1: Riesling
The first wine is a Riesling from Mosel Germany named Selbach Oster Mosel Riesling Spatlese. Passion fruit and lemon candy on the nose. Pineapple and lime on the pure, refreshing palate. I already knew that I prefer Riesling, so this one would end up being my favorite of the six. (retail $30)
White Wine Number 2: Sauvignon Blanc
The second wine is Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, which is made in Marlborough New Zealand. Stone fruit and citrus stand out, while minerality (think rain on river stones) provides balance. (retail $40)
White Wine Number 3: Chardonnay
Wine number 3 is a Chardonnay from Burgundy France named Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuisse. This wine has aromas of fresh red apples, honey and white flowers with elegant and rich flavors of toasted nuts and citrus. Fun fact: this wine is grown in limestone. (retail $34)
Red Wine Number 1: Pinot Noir
The first red wine we tried is King Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. This wine, believe it or not, comes from Willamette Valley in Oregon. Several people in class guessed Washington or California. The official description is quite impressive! Classic Pinot Noir aromas and flavors of dark fruit – black raspberry, marionberry, blueberry and ripe dark cherry – are joined by accents of black tea, clove, vanilla, toast, orange zest and forest floor. Meanwhile, I just smelled grapes. (retail $30)
Red Wine Number 2: Chianti
The second red wine we tried is a Chianti named Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva from Tuscany Italy. It is described as deep ruby-red with rich notes of cherries, plums and iris. (retail $20)
Red Wine Number 3: Red Blend
The third and final red wine we tried was from the vineyard of a famous Disney/Pixar producer. Unfortunately not George Lucas and not from Skywalker Vineyards. Instead we traveled to Sonoma Valley California to John Lasseter’s vineyard to try his Lasseter Family Winery Paysage Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is a blend of 3 reds: 69% Merlot, 29% Malbec, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. (retail $62)
I included retail price simply for reference. It was pointed out in class that more expensive wine doesn’t necessarily mean a better wine. It’s all personal preference to what you like.
A Free Gift!
Also included with the Stem to Stern Wine Tasting is this exclusive Disney pin only available by attending the class! It’s already been added to my special pin collection. I didn’t know a pin would be included, and so far this has been the only tasting class I’ve attended where a pin was given out. Take that, Mixology class!
Was It Worth It?
So was the class worth the time and $50? You’re probably asking the wrong person that question. I learned that I prefer Riesling over the other wines I tried. I didn’t learn too much because I think this class is for people who already know some things about wine and like I said at the top, I’m a wine dummy. However, I did get a pin out of it, though, so there’s that.
Was it a waste of time? No, I wouldn’t say that, but I don’t plan on taking this class in the future. If you’re curious to try a variety of wines, give it a try. If you’re a wine novice, I’d say give it a try but expect most of the information to go right over your head. Sit in the corner like I did, take pictures of the bottles afterwards, and then look each one up on a wine website. You know, like I did for this article.
Tune in next time where I attend a Champagne Tasting…and it goes pretty much like this one did, except there was no pin.
Disney Rover 