How Qantas, Etihad & Emirates choose their business class wine lists
From billion dollar wine cellars to five-day tasting odysseys, airlines are going to great lengths to serve us the best tipple in the skies, but which airline does it best?
“Would you like a glass of Champagne before take-off?”
There are few better phrases to hear when you settle into an international business class seat. That first sip of bubbly marks the start of a long-awaited holiday or whirlwind business trip, or, for us Aussies, the epic and often exhausting journey back home.
For airlines, the in-flight beverage selection is the culmination of hundreds of hours spent selecting and sampling plonk from vineyards around the world to curate a wine list which reflects its values, heritage and customers’ tastes.
For winemakers, it’s big business. Qantas is one of the most voracious purchasers of Australian wine, with its customers quaffing millions of bottles at its lounges and on its aircraft each year.
This week the national airline selected its offering for 2023, which for the first time included a selection of non-alcoholic spirits and sparkling wines to cater to the growing number of customers flying sober.
“We are seeing a trend all over the country for lighter and fresher styles, so in response to that, we are exploring newer and ‘cooler’ regions to include alongside the traditional regions of Australia,” says master sommelier Sebastian Crowther.
Selecting the right wines is an art, especially when considering factors such as pressurised air, low humidity, and altitudes of 10,000 metres.
“Taste and smell are probably the first things to go, based on pressure and humidity,” explains Laithwaites wine expert Daniel Parrott. He says with humidity sometimes dropping to less than 12 per cent, passengers will often travel in an environment drier than “most deserts of the world” and this could affect their ability to truly appreciate the subtle flavours of wine.
“It’s very important to airlines that customers have an enjoyable experience, and wine and food, as we know, is a big part of whether they enjoy the experience or not,” he explains, “so different airlines have done quite extensive studies in these areas.”
But if you’re worried that you won’t be able to fully appreciate the luxury plonk on your next flight, you can rest assured that unless you’re a sommelier or wine critic yourself, you probably will. A recent study conducted by The University of Copenhagen which assessed the subjective taste perceptions of 22 passengers found there was no statistically significant difference in enjoyment between those who tasted the wines mid-flight and control subjects who sampled them on ground.
Crowther agrees. “We taste such a diverse array of wines from all across the country and the philosophy is simple when it comes to selection, if it tastes great on the ground, then it will taste great in the air,” he says.
From gutsy chardonnay to complex shiraz, we’ve collated the wine and Champagne offerings currently available up the pointy end.
QANTAS
Selection process: For the airline’s annual blind tasting, Neil Perry’s team of sommeliers including Master Sommelier Sebastian Crowther sampled 1400 wines over five days from 300 different wine producers.
Current offering: Wines: (Reds) 2018 Paracombe Montepulciano, 2019 Penfolds Max Shiraz Cabernet, 2018 Credaro Kinship Shiraz, 2019 DJL Cabernet Sauvignon, (Whites) 2022 Jim Barry Assyrtiko, 2021 Howard Vineyard Block Q, 2021 The Other Wine Co, 2022 Tulloch Cellar Door Release Vermentino.
How often is it updated? Annually.
AIR NEW ZEALAND
Selection process: For the airline’s 2023 business premier wine selection, Wine Consultant Jim Harre and Master of Wine Sam Harrop blind sampled 350 New Zealand wines from 84 wineries over four days.
“We’re currently going through the final process and will have our 2023 Business Premier wines selected in the next few weeks,” says Jacqueline Carson, the airline’s Senior Manager, Inflight Products.
Current offering:
- Champagne: Laurent Perrier
- Wine: Rockburn Pinot Gris 2020, Clearview EST Chardonnay, Te Mata Sauvignon Blanc, Forrest The Doctors’ Riesling, Forrest Botrytised Riesling, The Raptor Pinot Noir and Babich Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot.
How often is it updated? Annually.
EMIRATES
Selection process: Wines are selected from the airline’s own wine cellar in France, which houses 6.5 million bottles. The company has invested more than a billion dollars into its wine program.
Current offering:
- Champagne: Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 2013
- Wine: Chablis Premiere Cru Les Vaillons William Fèvre chardonnay, Château Montviel Pomerol 2011 merlot/cabernet franc, Château La Louvière Blanc 2011 sauvignon blanc/ semillon, Tournon Shays Flat 2013 shiraz
- Fortified: 1995 Graham‘s Single Harvest Tawny Port.
How often is it updated? Monthly.
Etihad
Selection process: Etihad sources its wines from UAE-based alcohol supplier MMI. Its tasting panel shortlists a variety of new-world and old-world wines at its Wine Training Room before a final sampling is held in its ‘nosing room’ to select the top drops.
Current offering:
- Champagne: Duval-Leroy Brut Reserve Champagne NV
- Wines: The Witches Berry d’Arenberg Chardonnay, McLaren Valley 2020, Rarangi Single Vineyard, Wither Hills sauvignon blanc, Marlborough 2020, Merlot-Corvina, Passori, Veneto 2021, The Barossa shiraz, Peter Lehmann, Barossa Valley 2019La Perle d’Arche, Sauternes Semillon Blend, France, 2018
- Fortified: Graham’s 10 YO Tawny Port, Douro.
How often is it updated? For wines, every six months, and annually for Champagne.
BRITISH AIRWAYS
Selection process: Wine is selected by experts from parent company International Airlines Group, which announced this month the addition of new The Wine Flyer, a loyalty wine program which features wines served on flights and in the airlines lounges.
Current offering:
- Champagne: Canard-Duchêne, Cuvée Léonie Brut NV Champagne, Besserat de Bellefon, Grande Tradition Rosé Brut NV Champagne.
- Wines: Ventisquero, Queulat Gran Reserva sauvignon blanc, Limited Release Syrah from Swartland Winery and DeMorgenzon DMZ Chardonnay Stellenbosch.
- Fortified: Graham’s, Six Grapes Reserve Ruby Port NV
How often is it updated? Every three months, with monthly amendments.
Which airline has the best wine menu in your opinion? Tell us in the comments.