I waited with bated breath as the expert looked down and studied the evidence. After a few seconds he declared “you are strong and vivacious”, before turning to my friend with the verdict “rebellious, just like a teenager”. It was akin to fortune telling, and while I would have been quite flattered by the description, he was actually reading the label on a bottle rather than my palm.

A trip to France is invariably a treat on the food and wine front, but the informative and fun-filled visit to a Cognac house took things a step further. Instead of exiting through the obligatory gift shop to purchase liquid souvenirs I came back with a unique memento – a personalised bottle of the famous brandy that I’d blended myself.

We had spent the morning at Camus, founded 150 years ago and the largest house to still be run by the founding family, now with fifth generation Cyril Camus at the helm. Breakfast was only a relatively distant memory, but encouraged by our affable and humorous tutor Frederic Dezauzier, we dutifully swirled, smelled and sipped the contents of the four glasses set in front of each participant.

Produced in four of the six strictly controlled zones or “crus” that make up the Cognac region, and all with very different characteristics, these formed the building blocks for our finished bottle.

Using a totally unscientific system, based largely on Frederic’s lyrical descriptions, I went over to the barrels and filled a measuring cylinder with different quantities of each Cognac, gently spun them around in a flask and funnelled the contents into a bottle. Then we queued up to write the labels and have the bottles sealed.

Clutching our precious cargo we made our way back to Viking Forseti to continue the new Heart Of Bordeaux itinerary launched this year by Viking River Cruises. Starting and finishing in the epicentre of one of the world’s greatest wine producing regions, it was a wonderful way to get a real taste – in every sense of the word – of this scenic and cultural corner of south-west France.

River cruising is one of the most relaxing ways to travel. You unpack once, arrive in a new place each day and there’s always something to see, unlike days at sea on ocean cruises. It’s also easy to explore under your own steam, as river ships moor in city and town centres, so shops and sights are usually only a short walk away.

Our journey took us along the Garonne and Gironde rivers, the latter technically an estuary. They wind their way through picturesque landscapes lined with towns and regions that read like a wine list – Medoc, Sauternes, Margaux, Saint-Julien and Pauillac, to name just a few.

In between vineyard visits and tastings, our excursions included the charming UNESCO-listed town of Blaye, where we scaled the cobbled streets to take in panoramic views from the top of the 17th-century citadel.

That evening the Forseti’s chef made use of Blaye’s springtime seasonal treat – asparagus – and menus throughout the week offered the chance to sample themed regional cuisine.

But whenever you visit you can always pick up a box of Blaye’s other speciality to take home. Although whether the delicately flavoured almond pralines make it back is another matter (and I’m not talking about them breaking!).

The next day we arrived in the fortified port town of Libourne, on the confluence of the Isle and Dordogne rivers, and spent the afternoon in nearby Saint-Emilion, exploring the small town’s big surprise, a cavernous underground church that’s the largest of its kind in Europe. Afterwards there was time for another wine tasting and by now we were getting pretty well acquainted with the attributes of the cabernet sauvignon and merlot grapes, which are the main driving forces behind Bordeaux wine.

A daily excursion is included in the price of the cruise and there are also optional paid-for trips, such as a visit to Bergerac, renowned for its truffles, and the Cognac blending masterclass.

Life onboard is equally enjoyable. Viking’s elegant Scandinavian-designed longships are tastefully decorated and cleverly designed. The comfortable cabins have plenty of storage, wide-screen TVs and a fridge – useful if you want to bring back some sauvignon blanc or semillon to enjoy on the ship. Unlike seagoing cruises where there are strict rules about smuggling drinks on board, there’s no danger of having to do the walk of shame and see your wine confiscated on a Viking cruise.

The Argus:

Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks are provided with lunch and dinner, making mealtimes very convivial, and with no fixed seating you can move around and make new friends. The food throughout was excellent, with plenty of choice and attentive service.

One of my favourite times of day was the early evening, when we’d gather on the open-air Aquavit Terrace, a standout feature on the Viking Longships. With a suitable cocktail to hand, we’d chat about the day and watch the blood-red sun dip behind the vineyards before heading in to dinner.

The last day was spent wandering around Bordeaux, stopping to admire the “water mirror” that reflects the grand 18th-century royal square.

I returned home with my prized consignment of Cognac packed safely in a wooden box in my suitcase. Now I just have to wait three months for the flavours to develop before I can drink it. And if my “own label” is winner, I can re-order the exact blend from Camus. That really is a way for holiday memories to last a lifetime.

  • Viking River Cruises offers the eight-day Heart Of Bordeaux itinerary from £2,495 per person, based on two sharing, including flights, all meals, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, and daily excursions. The cruises run from March to December. Check the website for special offers and early booking deals.
  • Call 020 8780 7900 or visit www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk