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River cruise wine guide
Wine Guide to the Main River Cruise
Curated by Michele Edington, Certified Sommelier
The Main winds through Germany, and for wine lovers it's one of Europe's great cruising routes. Along the way you'll pass 3 wine stops across regions like Rheingau and Franken (Franconia), where the glasses fill with grapes such as Riesling, Spätburgunder / Pinot Noir, Weißburgunder / Pinot Blanc, Grauburgunder / Pinot Gris and Müller-Thurgau / Rivaner. Here's what to drink at each stop.
The full guide
Everything to drink on the Main, in your pocket
For travelers sailing Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Scenic, Tauck, or Uniworld-style Main cruises.
- ✓What to drink — and the must-try bottle
- ✓Local food & cheese pairings
- ✓Nearby vineyards & winery picks
- ✓What to bring home
- ✓Cruise timing & shore-excursion tips
- ✓Download the whole guide — no ship Wi-Fi needed
Wine regions along the way
Stops along the Main
1RieslingSpätburgunder / Pinot Noir
2SilvanerRieslingWeissburgunderGrauburgunder
3SilvanerRieslingWeissburgunderGrauburgunder
4BambergRead the guide →SilvanerMüller-ThurgauBacchusRiesling
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Common questions
- What wine should I drink on a Main river cruise?
- A Main cruise passes through Rheingau and Franken (Franconia), so expect wines from grapes like Riesling, Spätburgunder / Pinot Noir, Weißburgunder / Pinot Blanc, Grauburgunder / Pinot Gris and Müller-Thurgau / Rivaner. Each stop guide lists the must-try bottle and food pairings.
- Which towns are the best wine stops on the Main?
- Frankfurt, Würzburg and Volkach are the wine-focused stops along the Main.
- How many stops are on a Main river cruise?
- This guide covers 4 stops along the Main, 3 of them in a wine region.