Find the best wines in the sky

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oz_mark

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I am sure this is a topic that would generate a lot of debate, but some have had a go at choosing the best wines in the sky. From a NZ article:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/7/story.cfm?c_id=7&ObjectID=10370046

If you're looking for the best wine in the sky - and especially if you like local wine - you'd probably be better off flying Singapore Airlines or Air New Zealand. Or, if you don't mind drinking Australian wines, maybe Qantas.

In the latest Cellars in the Sky Awards, run by Business Traveller magazine, the best white served in business class was judged to be the St Clair Marlborough sauvignon blanc offered by Singapore. And the best red was the Pegasus Bay pinot noir served by Air NZ.

The same two airlines were also joint runners-up for the best sparkling wine with French champagnes.

Of other airlines flying here, Cathay Pacific picked up a second-place for the Monterey chardonnay it serves in business class, Emirates got a couple of mentions for the wines enjoyed by its first class passengers and Qantas got a stack of awards.

Qantas was judged to have both the best business class cellar overall - with Air New Zealand runner-up - and the best first class cellar. The wines served in economy class were not considered.
 
Qantas was judged to have both the best business class cellar overall - with Air New Zealand runner-up - and the best first class cellar. The wines served in economy class were not considered.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't really enjoy any of the QF wine selection.

A steward recently made a big deal out of giving me a bottle of red from the first class cabin after he split my beer on me. I saved it to share with friends, and we were incredibly disappointed with it.
 
Damien said:
Maybe it's just me, but I don't really enjoy any of the QF wine selection.

If you didn't like the Qantas selection, do not fly United. Their idea of a good Aussie wine in Business Class is Wolf Blass Red Label. :shock:
 
Good to see some wines that don't come from the Fosters Wine Estates "glue & screw" factories.

Bring on variety - you sure as hell won't get it at Liqourland.....
 
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There is actually scientific research that argues that wine tastes (albeit slightly but often noticeably) different onboard a plan, rather than down here on the ground.
 
odoherty said:
There is actually scientific research that argues that wine tastes (albeit slightly but often noticeably) different onboard a plan, rather than down here on the ground.

Research? More research to demonstrate the blingingly obvious.

You don't need James Halliday's pallete to work that out!
 
I agree that the best reds are wasted on anybody at 35,000 feet - one's taste buds are not at their best, neither is the wine...

I'm happy to drink anything that doesn't make me want to spit it out :p or create a bile rush back up my throat :shock: .

Having said that, my wife just went and bought a rough red - a sparkling one at that. But she likes it, so who am I to complain :roll: - didn't last night when we polished off a bottle :p .

For those that insist that they can't drink anything less than Krug or Chateau Rothschild...well there's the SQ queue. Off you go...
 
odoherty said:
There is actually scientific research that argues that wine tastes (albeit slightly but often noticeably) different onboard a plan, rather than down here on the ground.

I agree, and would like to add that the Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise in Y at present on intl routes is fantastic, wnet and brought a case when I got back from SIN last week.
 
Lindsay Wilson said:
Having said that, my wife just went and bought a rough red - a sparkling one at that. But she likes it, so who am I to complain :roll: - didn't last night when we polished off a bottle :p .

Sometimes your best course of action is to go with the flow.
 
Lindsay Wilson said:
For those that insist that they can't drink anything less than Krug or Chateau Rothschild...well there's the SQ queue. Off you go...

SQ now has Chateau Rothschild?! :? :roll:
 
Lindsay Wilson said:
I agree that the best reds are wasted on anybody at 35,000 feet - one's taste buds are not at their best, neither is the wine...
How would the same wine compare if at, say, 8,000 feet? Would it taste any different if consumed while enjoying the view at the north rim of The Grand Canyon rather than inside a pressurised tube flying high above it?

Is it the altitude that makes it taste different? Or is it the lack of humidity? Of the movement?

All I can say is that its a god thing that scotch is not similarly affected. The difficulty is getting a decent whiskey in business class (BA and CX seem to lead the way here).
 
JohnK said:
NM said:
All I can say is that its a god thing that scotch is not similarly affected.
And beer. :D
Nahh, I tend to avoid beer on long flights. It goes through me too fast and I spend too much time congregating in places the US authorities tell us we are not permitted to congregate.
 
NM said:
Lindsay Wilson said:
I agree that the best reds are wasted on anybody at 35,000 feet - one's taste buds are not at their best, neither is the wine...
How would the same wine compare if at, say, 8,000 feet? Would it taste any different if consumed while enjoying the view at the north rim of The Grand Canyon rather than inside a pressurised tube flying high above it?

Is it the altitude that makes it taste different? Or is it the lack of humidity? Of the movement?

All I can say is that its a god thing that scotch is not similarly affected. The difficulty is getting a decent whiskey in business class (BA and CX seem to lead the way here).

I don't think I have ever seen ratings of Airlines Whiskey's and how they compare. But I certainly can see merit in there being such a ranking.
 
I may need to revise my thoughts about the QF selection, as I had a very pleasing Chardonnay yesterday at 35,000 feet. It was pleasing enough to have a couple of glasses, which is more than my taste buds usually allow me.
 
JohnK said:
NM said:
All I can say is that its a god thing that scotch is not similarly affected.
And beer. :D
Actually, Beer is affected by cabin pressure. In in a self appointde task in relation to public interest, I have done considerable analysis on this over the years. :twisted:

I have come to the conclusion that beer appears to froth more and have a larger head at altidute than it does at sea level. This is at any given temperature that it may be served. (hic)
 
serfty said:
JohnK said:
NM said:
All I can say is that its a god thing that scotch is not similarly affected.
And beer. :D
Actually, Beer is affected by cabin pressure. In in a self appointde task in relation to public interest, I have done considerable analysis on this over the years. :twisted:

I have come to the conclusion that beer appears to froth more and have a larger head at altidute than it does at sea level. This is at any given temperature that it may be served. (hic)
Yes! But it still tastes great. :D

Now to convince the airlines to stock bottled beer instead of cans. :(
 
serfty said:
Actually, Beer is affected by cabin pressure. In in a self appointde task in relation to public interest, I have done considerable analysis on this over the years. :twisted:

I have come to the conclusion that beer appears to froth more and have a larger head at altidute than it does at sea level. This is at any given temperature that it may be served. (hic)

serfty, it looks like you were at altitude (and/or under the influence of your subject matter), when you wrote this. :D :oops:
 
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