Which wines should you choose on an airline?

WHEN IT COMES to wines offered on board their flights, airlines are now thinking about the effect that the cabin environment has on wine, and have begun selecting those that are best suited for the change in palate we experience while at altitude.

So which wines should travellers opt for in order to get the most enjoyable experience? The judges of our annual Cellars in the Sky awards had some pertinent observations to make when it comes to choosing the right wines…

IN BUSINESS CLASS Avoid reds from Bordeaux

(also known as clarets)

“They are completely wrong for the air: tannic, too high in acidity and invariably young because the airlines can’t get the older vintages.” – Tim Atkin, MW

Opt for fruit-forward red grape varieties

“In business class reds, the three top wines were all shiraz/syrah.” – Peter McCombie, MW

IN FIRST CLASS Chardonnay is a safe bet for white wines

“Red is more difficult, so in first class go for whites, or for the Rhone grapes.” – Charles Metcalfe, head judge

Bordeaux reds performed better in first than in business

“There were two Bordeaux reds that came through in the final four – but the others were a northern Rhone and a malbec from Argentina.” – Charles Metcalfe, head judge