From the venerable, a 1982 Louis Roederer Brut Champagne, to the nouveau, a 2002 Shaw & Smith Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc, Crystal Cruises will celebrate treasured vintages when it debuts its Wine & Champagne Makers Dinners in the Vintage Room aboard the new Crystal Serenity debuting in July.


Historically hosted in fine restaurants throughout the world, Crystal Serenity's intimate Vintage Room joins an elite collection of venues -- from Miami's Norman's to South Africa's Stellenbosh -- to offer the ultimate gourmet experience on every cruise for just four to 14 guests. As the newest ship in Crystal's award-winning fleet embarks on a worldwide sojourn in search of rare vintages from famed wine-making regions such as Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Australia, and Italy, the Wine & Champagne Makers Dinners will be savored by connoisseurs eager to discover appellations not easily accessible in stores and restaurants, from a first-growth Bordeaux to a classic Spanish vega sicila.


"These dinners draw upon the rich tradition of wine makers to gather and showcase their most treasured vintages -- where the wine is in the spotlight and the cuisine is the complement -- in an intimate venue exclusive to friends and esteemed customers," says Toni Neumeister, Crystal's vice president, food and beverage operations. "We are creating the same privileged environment for our guests with a truly enriching event that reveals the historical, cultural and culinary nuances of wines."


Crystal Cruises becomes the first cruise line to offer the exclusive Wine & Champagne Makers Dinners at sea, going beyond mere lectures and tastings to create a total experience designed to enrich, educate and even surprise the most sophisticated aficionado. With participation from some of the world's most renowned winemakers including Frederic Heidsieck of the revered Louis Roederer Champagne House, guests will be intrigued by historical anecdotes -- how Roederer's Cristal became the Champagne of the Tsars -- and then enjoy the vintage later that evening with some Russian Beluga caviar.


Crystal's award-winning culinary team is working in tandem with the line's expert sommeliers to create tasting menus designed to showcase the unique attributes of each vintage. Menus will reflect the ship's cruising region and will feature between four to eight different wines or champagnes.


Crystal's Wine & Champagne Makers Dinners feature the added allure of the romance of sea travel and allow for creativity in constructing a menu. For example, an exotic five-course dinner exploring the Southern Hemisphere offers selections from South Africa to South America:


-- Sauvignon Blanc "La Escultura Estate" Errazuriz Estate, Casablanca
Valley Chile 2002. Supple and crisp, light citrus and mineral flavors
and refreshing acidity with lovely finish.
-- Paired with Peruvian Scallop Ceviche, with White Truffle Oil and
Roasted Pepper Vinaigrette.

-- Sauvignon Blanc "Buitenverwatchung" Constantia, South Africa 2002.
Medium-bodied, detailed, rich and intense, it displays a flavor
profile bursting with citrus fruits and minerals.
-- Served with Tortilla & Corn Bisque, Cream Fraiche & Lobster Salad.

-- Catena Alta Chardonnay, Adrianna Vineyard "Bodegas Catena - Zapata"
Mendoza, Argentina 2000. Boasting impressive aromatic depth, this
spicy pear-scented, medium to full-bodied vintage is oily-textured,
broad and expansive. Its luscious mouthful, while rich and supple,
retains admirable freshness and purity.
-- Served with candied white fruits, anise, and hints of butterscotch,
with Tamarindo Glazed Broiled Red Snapper, on Little Seafood Paella
with Tomato-Calamato Olive Coulis.

-- Cabernet Sauvignon "Almaviva" Concha y Toro & Baron Rothschild
Puente Alto Maipo Chile 1999. Dense, with roasted cocoa bean,
bittersweet chocolate, black currant and blackberry flavors, and a
long powerful finish held together by pounding tannins.
-- Served with Cross Grilled Baby Lamb Chops, with Mint Chimichurri,
Sweet Potato Gnocchi, and Roasted Beets.

-- Semillon Late Harvest Santa Rita Winery, Maipo Valley 2000. Super
concentrated, with aromas of honey, flowers, sweet fruit and a long
spicy finish.
-- Paired with Mille Feuille of Banana and Cuban Chocolate Creme
Brulee.


The Wine & Champagne Makers Dinners will be offered nightly and are by reservation only. Guests will be able to confirm their participation in advance of their cruise, or once onboard. The cost per person will vary depending on the menu of wines and may range from $50 to a few hundred dollars.


Neumeister adds, "Given the rarity of some of the selections, combined with the discovery of new vintages, the dinners represent tremendous value. More than any other drink across the world, wine fascinates, entices and seduces. It fosters new friendships with others who share the same passion. Combined with the destination, the cuisine, and the luxurious Crystal Serenity, these dinners will be treasured experiences for our guests."


The Wine & Champagne Makers Dinners are the latest addition to Crystal's progressive and sophisticated culinary program which includes its highly regarded "Wine & Food Festival." Now in its seventh year, the 2003 program features Lee Hefter (Spago, Beverly Hills), Serge Dansereau (Bathers' Pavillion Restaurant, Sydney), Suzanne Goin (Lucques, Los Angeles), Don Yamauchi (Food & Wine magazine's Best Chef of the Year), Angelo Auriana (Valentino's, Santa Monica), culinary icon Andre Soltner (formerly Lutece, New York) and some of the finest names in wine including Piero Selvaggio (Valentino's), Kevin Zraly (author and educator), Dan Berger (national syndicated wine columnist), Leslie Brocco (wine educator, The New York Times on-line) and Master Sommelier Jay James (wine director, Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas).


The line's devotion to the culinary arts is further evidenced by its unprecedented alliances with some of the world's most celebrated names in food, wine and hospitality -- Nobu Matsuhisa brings his legendary cuisine to the aptly-named "Sushi Bar" and "Silk Road Restaurant" aboard Crystal Serenity; Wolfgang Puck's acclaimed Santa Monica-based restaurant, Chinois on Main, is showcased at "Jade Garden," the intimate Asian specialty restaurant aboard Crystal Symphony; and famed restaurateur Selvaggio of Valentino in Santa Monica and Las Vegas showcases the cuisine of his revered restaurant at "Valentino at Prego" aboard both Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony.


The newest member of Crystal Cruises' Six-Star-rated fleet, at 68,000 tons, Crystal Serenity will feature a higher space-per-guest ratio than her sister ships, Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony, expanded areas for spa services and other athletic, cultural and intellectual pursuits, an increased number of penthouses, and enlarged staterooms.


Crystal Cruises currently operates the 50,000-ton, 940-guest sister ships, Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony, two of the most spacious and luxurious vessels cruising the world. Their unique size in the luxury market allows for smooth sailing and a wide range of innovative facilities, generous amenities and elegant accommodations.


Crystal has earned the highest ratings in its industry. For the seventh consecutive year, Crystal Cruises was named best large-ship line in the 2002 readers' surveys conducted by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines.