Would you rather get champagne from a plastic cup or sparkling wine in a proper glass?

[Mattg]

I ponder this question as I sit in Singapore Airlines premium economy drinking champagne out of a plastic cup.

In premium economy, some airlines offer premium drinks including real champagne and coughtails - but serve them in plastic cups.

Other airlines (e.g. Lufthansa) serve exactly the same menu as economy - so, no champagne - but upgrade the crockery and glassware in premium economy so you get your cheap sparkling wine in a proper wine glass.

Which would you prefer? The obvious answer is probably “champagne”, but I do think there is something about serving in plastic cups that cheapens the experience - even if only slightly.

 

[goldenhorn]

Definitely champagne wins every time. I agree the plastic cup dampens the experience but as long as it’s cold that’s fine. There’s nothing worse than warm champagne in business class.

I complained on my SQ flight last week because they just put the bottle of champagne on the trolley and after two hours it was warm and undrinkable when I asked for a top up. When I asked if they had any cold champagne, she looked at me like I was mad.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm ambivalent to Champagne, but alcoholic drinks should be served in glassware, except at the top of descent when they usually tip the drink into a plastic cup anyway (if you want to keep going).

 

[Stealthflyer]

Depends on the champagne and sparkling wine. There are some fine Tasmanian sparkling wines that I would pick over champagne any time.

I think serving either in a plastic cup is just rude. Reminds me of my art school days: art openings with cheap wine in plastic containers.

 

[dajop]

Can I say depends on the type of plastic cup? And the type of Champagne or Sparking wine?

 

[Rich]

I do think there is something about serving in plastic cups that cheapens the experience - even if only slightly

"only slightly" - I don’t think so.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Depends on the champagne and sparkling wine. There are some fine Tasmanian sparkling wines that I would pick over champagne any time.

I think serving either in a plastic cup is just rude. Reminds me of my art school days: art openings with cheap wine in plastic containers.

Sacrilege!

I used to defend Australian sparkling wine against what I saw as wine snobbery.
Then I learned about the Champagne terroir and how to recognise its subtle aromas and flavours.
Australian sparkling wines tend to use high acidity to try to emulate the taste of the Champagne terroir.
If I drink Australian sparkling throughout a QF flight PER-SYD, for example, I'll need to take antacids before landing.
Whereas I could (and did) drink Krug on EK all the way from MAD to DXB to PER without a care in the world.
So now I only drink champagne.

Plastic cups, however, are only acceptable if you are drinking in a swimming pool.
I have often thought that PE packages offer a product closer to economy standards for a fare closer to business prices.
This is another data point to confirm that they are not a good value proposition.

All in my own very humble opinion, of course.

 

[lahlee]

Depends on the champagne and sparkling wine. There are some fine Tasmanian sparkling wines that I would pick over champagne any time.

I think serving either in a plastic cup is just rude. Reminds me of my art school days: art openings with cheap wine in plastic containers.

Absolutely! And us poor art students thought it was just brilliant

 

[kookaburra75]

Depends on the champagne and sparkling wine. There are some fine Tasmanian sparkling wines that I would pick over champagne any time.

I think serving either in a plastic cup is just rude. Reminds me of my art school days: art openings with cheap wine in plastic containers.

I agree, and there's also a few sparkling a from the mainland that meet the grade. Try Brown Brothers Patricia NV as a well priced/quality example.

And this might sound very Kath & Kim, but it depends on the type of plastic cup. One of the thin/floppy things are right out. But if it's the harder acrylic types, made for around the pool, they're ok as long as they have been chilled or filled with ice beforehand (and tipped out). Sometimes one just has to make do.

 

[MELso]

Depends on the champagne and sparkling wine. There are some fine Tasmanian sparkling wines that I would pick over champagne any time.

I think serving either in a plastic cup is just rude. Reminds me of my art school days: art openings with cheap wine in plastic containers.

Absolutely - I'd happily take a glass of Arras late disgorged (in a plastic cup if I absolutely must) over the average non-first class champagne in a glass any day!

This reflects that, as with all wine (and as you note), there's champagne and champagne. A $35 bottle of Henri Laurent from Liquorland (which was probably sold to the importer for $5) and Dom P2 are very different beasts indeed.