Champagne

Which airline serves the best Champagne?

When you fly often, it’s the little things that make a difference. Extra legroom, a personalised service, and, perhaps most importantly, the onboard food and beverage offerings.

Therefore, when you fly premium class, the chance to sample a variety of fine alcohols, especially Champagne, becomes one of the highlights of the journey.

But the best bubbly when grounded is not necessarily the ideal choice at 30,000 feet, as our taste buds and sense of smell are strongly affected by the air pressure within the cabin. Particularly, our perception of saltiness and sweetness is diminished. However, sour, bitter and spicy flavours are almost unaffected. Consequently, a Champagne with strong flavours and significant spiciness tends to be better suited to conditions up in the air.

Here, we take a look at six of the world’s best airlines and the bubbly they serve on board. Cheers!

British Airways
Recently named the best airline for First Class service in Europe in the World Travel Awards 2016, British Airways’ premium cabin on board the 787-9 Dreamliner is reviving the historic airline’s reputation for glamour in the skies. This is aided by serving the often underrated Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle at the front of its aircraft.

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Also served on-board Swiss and sometimes Lufthansa, this cuvee is a blend of three of Laurent-Perrier’s previous vintages, resulting in a rich, honeyed, hazelnut flavour. It is also available in BA’s Concorde Room lounge at Heathrow.

Singapore Airlines  
Singapore Airlines have one of the finest premium offerings in the world, and this is reflected in their onboard champagne. It is the only airline to offer both Dom Perignon 2004 and Krug Grand Cuvee, two of the most celebrated and highly-rated champagnes.

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Aged in oak barrels, giving it unique richness, Krug Grand Cuvee, and the ever-vogue Dom Perignon 2004, can be enjoyed along with caviar in the comfort of SIA’s leather-clad Suites on its A380, or on a 35’ by 82’ bed in First Class, as well as on the ground at lounges in Heathrow and Changi. SIA also serve the fine Charles Heidsieck Champagne, winner of ‘best non vintage champagne in the world’ at the recent Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championship in London.

Qatar Airways
When it comes to in-flight drinking, Qatar Airways has raised the bar, quite literally. The wonderful champagne bar on the upper deck of its A380 is sleek, stylish and one of the most spacious bars in the air. Available to both First & Business Class passengers, the bar serves Krug Grand Cuvée, as well as Taittinger, Billecart-Salmon and Drappier Rose.

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With only eight seats, Qatar’s is First Class cabin is the smallest of any aboard an A380. Its overhead bins have also been removed, making the space feel extra roomy and uncongested. Qatar Airways also serve Krug Grande Cuvée on the ground at the Al Mourjan Lounge in Doha.

Etihad
Although the UAE is an Islamic country with stricter alcohol regulations than Europe, Etihad has a complimentary top-shelf with a wide choice of good wines and champagnes, including Billecart-Salmon and Mumm Cuvee R. Lalou.

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However, the highlight of Etihad has to be their inflight service. A highly attentive Savoy-trained butler is on hand to serve in Etihad’s opulent three-roomed “The Residence” and private “First Apartments” on the A380. Although it has no bar, you can also enjoy your glass of champers in the onboard lounge known as “The Lobby”, offering comfortable seating, a central table, and large TV screen. Etihad has also joined Emirates by introducing onboard showers.

Emirates
You’ve probably seen Emirates’ First Class offering in their ongoing advertising campaign featuring Jennifer Aniston. The highlights of their A380 premium cabin are the perfectly private “First Suites”, a lively onboard bar, and showers.

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Freshen up with Bvlgari toiletries before getting yourself perched at the bar to sip a glass of Dom Pérignon Vintage 2005, Dom Pérignon Vintage Rosé 2003, Moët Hennessy, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, or Bollinger La Grande Année Vintage whilst soaring through the clouds. Emirates also offers an exclusive Moët & Chandon champagne lounge at their reinvented Business Class Lounge in DXB’s Concourse B, with Moët Impérial, Moët Rosé Impérial, Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage and Moët Nectar Impérial all available.

Qantas
Relax on a reclining fully-flat bed in Qantas’ stylish First Class on board its A380, where you can treat yourself to such bubbly delights as Taittinger Comtes, Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill.

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Additionally, Qantas serve Laurent-Perrier Brut along with Nicolas Feuillatte Rose in the their swanky First Class Lounge at LAX.

Although taste, and ultimately perception, are largely subjective, the fermented grape juice from a tiny region of France, home to 320 villages and just 500 growers, has been sought after by the wealthy for centuries. 

What’s your favourite Champagne?

 

 

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