We paid an additional $135 to participate in the Sommelier's Lunch, the best we'll have on this trip.  I showed up early, so got the best seat in the house.  Started with Moét & Chandon Champagne and a 2008 Dom Perignon, to accompany scallops and caviar appetizers. The next course was Breaded Sweetbreads, artichoke hearts and truffle dressing, with a Meursalt Dessus 2019 White Burgundy. A pause with raspberry sorbet Moet splash, There were three main courses.  We selected the Lamp Loin with a 2018 Opus One. The dessert was Lemon Tart and Mango Gelato with a Far Niente Dolce 2018, ending with petit fours. Formal night, so I wore a tux. Two reds and a white. Caviar appetizer. Dinner of truffles risotto, Beef Wellington and pasta.  Then cheeses (with chocolate sauce), dessert and petit fours. I did nothing much else today.  Went to bed early.  Only walked 1737 steps.  Got to do better. Tomorrow we have another wine tasting. -

Just about everything is free on the Regent Seven Seas Explorer, even tours.  However, you can pay more for more expensive alcoholic drinks and even certain meals.  We each paid $179 for a special lunch with expensive wines and fine cuisine.  The menu. It all started with a Kir Royale, followed by a Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc from Malborough, New Zealand.  This is the wine that first made a world impression.  Now most of the really good white ones come from this region of the country.  We had a Tuna/Avocado Poke with this wine. Then another breakthrough wine, a 2016 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California.  The 1973 version in 1976 won the  Paris Judgement , when nine French judges blind tasted white and red wines, and this Napa Valley wine came out with the highest score, red or white.  There was a 2008 film,  Bottle Shock .  The reputation of California wines thereby made a spectacular leap. Served with seared sc...