British Airways is now serving English sparkling wine in business class, which is kind of fun.
Continue reading: British Airways Adds English Sparkling Wine In Club World
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Given how unpopular the English sparkling wine is in First, it'll be interesting to see how popular this is in Club. I can't remember the last time someone ordered the English Sparkling in First.
I recall a couple of years ago being at the T7 JFK BA lounge and getting some English wine (don't recall exactly whether it was white or sparkling) from the self-serve bar. I would consider myself someone that is tolerable of pretty much all types of wines from all types of price ranges (I've had my fair share of tetrapack wine as a student) and even if something isn't to my taste, I tend to have a pretty mild opinion about it.
I don't think I have ever tasted such a hideous wine than I did that day on the BA lounge.
Ever since, I have been very reluctant of English wines as a whole and I really hope that the partners they have selected, offer at least a decent product. I don't know about you guys, but to me if I am exposed to a certain dish/drink from a flag carrier's country, that leaves a lasting impression on said item, for the better or worse.
The Heidsieck Silver Top is a cheap champagne under $30 and the sparklings are all $40-range. Hardly an upgrade.
Well yeah when your other option is LPGS fat chance many will try out the local swill. Now in J I could see some people giving it a go, but in F no way I'm not going to stick with the far superior LPGS.
With the UK ranking second after France in the global consumption of Champagne you would think our flag carriers would use that purchasing and influencing might too regularly rotate onboard offerings from all regions at home and abroad.
I've flown BA J class twice in the past year. I cannot recall the exact name of the champagne served--it wasn't Monopole, but an obscure house I hadn't heard of--but it was practically tasteless and pretty flat by the time it reached my seat. On that basis, I would say the English sparkling could be an improvement. However, I fear it will be like the English claim for the superiority of their contemporary food over the French. Wrong!
I work quite a lot in First, and if someone wants the English sparkling they tend to be alone and the bottle is tipped at the end of the flight because they rarely go more than two glasses.
several champagne growers have invested heavily in the british countryside and are lobbying that a percentage of grapes can come from outside of Champagne. The reason for choosing the UK is that the soil is similar and through global warming it will resemble Champagne sooner than later.
also, some years ago Nyetimber beat all Champagne vintages in a French contest!
Wine tasting and ranking is one subjective thing.
But even giving you the benefit of doubt, does BA serve Nyetimber?
Some of the best French restaurant is in UK. No reason to bring that up since BA wouldn't be serving from them.
Exactly, the reason English sparkling wine doesn't go down as well in F is it's not pitched at the same level as the champagne on offer. Same reason BA sometimes get through all the bottles of LPGS and probably one bottle of rose on a flight. If BA offered $200 a bottle Nyetimber 1086 in First, I can guarantee there would be a lot more demand for English sparkling wine from F passengers!