Pauillac, France

The Wines: Wine practically flows from every corner of Pauillac. Even at the simplest café, the menu will feature more vins than you ever thought imaginable. What might surprise you, however, is that wine can be — and frequently is — cheaper than soft drinks if ordered by the glass. France introduced a tax on soft drinks in 2012, boosting the price of sugary beverages beyond their lower-end alcoholic counterparts.

Les Châteaux: Surrounding Pauillac are more châteaux than you could ever hope to visit during a single trip. These wineries have been here for generations and continue to produce some of the Bordeaux region’s best bottles. Note: A number of the more prestigious wineries, such as Château Mouton Rothschild, require advance reservations.

Truffles: What goes great with wine? Truffles — and the region surrounding Pauillac is known for both the white and black varieties. For something different, book a truffle hunt with a local farmer.

Wine Lovers: If you're a fan of the grape, you’ll fall in love with this remarkable French town and the surrounding Aquitaine region.

Tastings Might Make You Tipsy: After several tastings in a row, don’t be surprised if you find yourself beginning to stumble. Pauillac isn’t the place to rent a car; arrange for a car service to pick you up from tasting events, or take advantage of the excursions planned by your river cruise ship.