If indulging a drop of red or a sip of bubbles is part of your ideal flying experience, then look no further. Here we explore some of the airlines offering travellers the most exquisite wine lists to elevate their in-flight experience.
As you settle down in your seat, take a breath and unwind. Take out your wine list and slowly peruse, here’s some of the delights you might just find onboard a business or first-class flight with:
Travellers onboard Emirates are treated to a decadently delicious French wine list, which if you’re flying first class, includes their signature glass of bubbles - Dom Perignon 2008.
With an extensive wine cellar, with some drops aged for 15 years or more, the Emirates Vintage wine collection’ business class offering includes:
• Champagne, Dom Pérignon 2008 – First Class
• Champagne, Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 2013 – Business Class
• Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2004
• Château Montrose 2005
• Château Léoville Las Cases 1998
• Château Cos d’Estournel 2005
• Château Margaux 2004
• Château Mouton Rothschild 2004
Etihad on the other hand has a wider variety of both old and new world wine varieties on offer in their business class cabins which includes:
• Vintage Brut and Rosé Champagne, Charles Heidsieck, 2006 – First Class
• Duval-Leroy Brut Reserve Champagne NV – Business Class
• 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 2019
• La Perle d’Arche, Sauternes Semillon Blend, France 2018
• Graham’s 10 YO Tawny Port, Douro
Matching all it’s wines to Neil Perry’s First and Business Class menu’s the Qantas sommeliers proudly present an exceptional selection of wine from boutique producers to iconic brands from across Australia, New Zealand and Champagne.
This includes:
• Charles Heidsieck NV Brut Reserve
• Paracombe Montepulciano, 2018
• Penfolds Max Shiraz Cabernet, 2019
• Credaro Kinship Shiraz, 2018
• DJL Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019
• Jim Barry Assyrtiko, 2022
• Howard Vineyard Block Q, 2021
• The Other Wine Co, 2021
• Tulloch Cellar Door Release Vermentino, 2022
2023 was the first time the inflight wine list from Qantas has included a selection of non-alcoholic spirits and sparkling wines to cater to the growing number of customers flying sober.
As you’d expect from an award-winning airline, the wine list onboard Singapore Airlines is one of the finest.
With a highly regarded panel of wine experts tasting up to 1000 wines a year here’s what you’re likely to find onboard:
• Krug Grande Cuvee – First Class
• Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs – First Class
• Dr Loosen Graacher Himmelreich Riesling, Mosel, Germany
• Chardonnay, Albert Bichot Premier Cru Montagny, France
• Château Cissac, Haut-Medoc, France, 2016
• Chardonnay, Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard, Adelaide Hills
• Grand Cru, Clos de Vougeot, Faiveley, France
An impressive selection awaits Q Suite guests flying onboard Qatar Airways. With some of the most interesting wines in the sky, guests will be delighted by a wine selection including:
• Vintage Brut and Rosé Champagne, Charles Heidsieck, 2015
• Krug Grande Cuvee
• Classic Claret, Pauillac
• Château Lynch-Moussas, 2014
• Chardonnay, Grosset Piccadilly
• Greco di tufo, Campania
• Syrah, Campo de Borja, Spain
• Pinot, Pepik label, Josef Chromy, Tasmania
• 20-year-old Tawny Port, Dow’s, Portugal
The fact that there is a ‘Cellars in the Sky Awards’ tells you how important getting the in-flight beverage selection right means to top airlines and their passengers. With brands spending hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars utilising the best sommeliers to curate exceptional wine lists that reflect their region, cuisine, identity, and customers changing tastes.
Ask the Apex Travel Team about booking your next first class or business class flight we’d be pleased to find something suited to your taste. Contact us below.
Note: Wine lists vary widely between flights and regions. Wines listed here are indicative of first and business class international flights, keeping in mind most wine lists are updated seasonally and are subject to change. This article is a guide only, please check at the time of booking.
