Sample the Fine Wines on River Cruises in Italy

There are certainly few finer ways to see a country than from the comfort of a boat on luxurious river cruises. Italy is no exception: its River Po and Canal Bianco are splendid settings for a cruise, from the legendary city of Venice to villas, wine estates, fish markets and historic towns. The country is rightly renowned for its wines, which create a unifying theme: seeing the sights and sampling the wines! There are many stops and sights on such river cruises — Italy is a country rich in culture and viticulture — and what follows are only some of the highlights.

Venice

The city of Venice, mentioned 55 times by Marco Polo in Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities, is always a different city for every visitor. What will river cruisers find? The Giudecca Canal and the beautiful buildings lining its shore; St. Mark’s Square and its iconic Basilica; the Campanile and Doge’s Palace; and of course, fabulous wine, served in fine restaurants where visitors can enjoy the fruits of the sea and the fruits of the vine together. Venice is magnificent, yet it is only the beginning of river cruises. Italy’s waterways and wines await.

Venissa

The next stop is not far from Venice: the island of Mazzorbo and the walled, wine-producing estate of Venissa. Mazzorbo is within the northern Venetian Lagoon, with a history of agronomy and spiritual retreat. The walled estate of Venissa preserves the traditional architectural style of the rural lagoon and stands as a witness to the long history of lagoon farming. It is an unforgettable place to sample the locally produced wines.

Villa Widmann Borletti

The Villa Widmann Borletti is the 17th century work of the famous architect Baldassare Longhena, commissioned by Ludovico Widmann, and an excellent stop on river cruises. Italy’s nobility and artists have stayed in the Villa Widmann Borletti, and now guests can stroll through its spectacular Renaissance gardens — adorned with sculptures of Greek divinities and the Antonio Bonazza works of the Commedia dell'arte characters — and step into the old wine cellars. The Villa Widmann Borletti is a superb wine estate, whose wines will reward and delight.

Soave

The town of Soave is home to a long history, with roots in Roman times and a vibrant, if not always peaceful, medieval past. That history remains visible in its castle, which is a handsome building holding an impressive collection of portraits, artefacts and even a centuries-old fresco. It is an attractive sight for visitors to the town on river cruises. Italy’s wines are well-represented here: for wine-lovers the major draw of Soave is, of course, the Soave wines. The regional climate is affected by autumn mists, which would pose a threat to many grapes, but the Garganega grape — the primary grape of Soave wines — has a thicker skin than many. The Soave is a dry white, light-bodied with fresh, fruity notes.

Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, a provider of luxury, all-inclusive barge holidays. If you're looking for river cruises, Italy has some of the world's most picturesque waterways. We also offer experiences in France, Holland and the UK.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.