An exceptional saloon boat deserves exceptional wine

Imagine: you are gliding silently through the Amsterdam canals, the sun is setting slowly behind the historic facades, and in your hand, you hold a glass of perfectly chilled wine. At Classic Boat Dinners, we believe that a culinary cruise in a classic saloon boat is only truly complete with a wine as exceptional as the surroundings. That is why we have curated our wine list with as much care as a Michelin-starred restaurant. Whether you are a lover of an accessible glass or a connoisseur searching for that one rare bottle: on board, you will find a selection we are genuinely proud of.

Famous names and proven quality

When you step on board with us, we present you with our standard wine list. But for us, ‘standard’ is a relative term. We work exclusively with renowned wine houses because we know that quality should be recognisable. We notice that our guests appreciate seeing names they know and trust. From a refined Chardonnay Baronne L to our carefully selected house wines; we always have about 24 different bottles of white and red ready on board. Space on a saloon boat is precious, so every bottle we carry must earn its place. Additionally, we always have a fine selection of champagnes chilled, from our house champagne Veuve Clicquot to the absolute top tier, such as Louis Roederer’s Cristal.

The treasure chamber: Our cellar list

For guests looking for something truly unique, we have our cellar list. These wines are not kept on the boat as standard but are stored in our own wine cellar at canal level. Here, in a perfectly controlled climate, lie the pearls of our collection. Think of iconic bottles like a Petrus, which can cost thousands of euros per bottle. The beauty is that you can make it as extravagant as you wish. Do you have a specific vintage or a rare wine house in mind? Let us know in advance, and we will ensure the bottle is ready for you on board in perfect condition. It is this level of service and variety that ensures even the most well-travelled guests are often pleasantly surprised by what we can serve from our ‘floating wine cellar’.

A personal bond with the grower

Our love for wine goes beyond simply purchasing beautiful labels; we want to know the story behind the bottle. A great example of this is our Brunello di Montalcino. After a short interruption in supply — because the winemaker in Italy actually wanted to stop commercial sales — we did everything possible to get this wine back on our list. Thanks to a recommendation from a local neighbour, the grower understood how proud we are to serve his product in Amsterdam. To seal that bond, we travelled to Italy ourselves. We literally drove back to the Netherlands with a car, including a roof box full of bottles of Rosso and Brunello, to restock. That connection with the product, knowing where it comes from and how it is made, allows us to advise you with much more passion.

Dutch pride on the water

Although classic European wine houses form the foundation, we are increasingly looking at what our own soil has to offer. Dutch viticulture has grown enormously in quality in recent years, and we are happy to support that. For example, we proudly serve wines from the Apostelhoeve in Maastricht, one of the biggest names in the Netherlands. But we also let ourselves be surprised by vineyards from Zeeland, where the many hours of sunshine produce wonderful results. For guests seeking a ‘local experience’, a Dutch wine on the Amsterdam canals is the ultimate combination.

Let us advise you

Because all our skippers have a background in the hospitality industry, we are more than just your captain; we are your host. We know which wine best suits the Dover sole from Restaurant Johannes or the côte de bœuf you have ordered. We understand that not every guest is a sommelier; sometimes you just want a wine that is ‘delicious’ and suits the moment. Whether you choose based on your budget or a specific grape: we are ready to help you make the perfect choice, so all you have to do is enjoy the view and the company.