Emirates first class is one of the best first class products in the world. In particular, the airline invests an incredible amount of money in its first class soft product, ranging from “unlimited” caviar, to endless wines.
While Emirates is known for serving Dom Perignon in first class, the airline is upping its game even more. I first wrote about this several months ago when it was first announced, but it looks like this is now starting to be available on select routes.
In this post:
Emirates serving 2004 Dom Perignon P2 in first class
Over the past 18 years, Emirates has invested more than a billion dollars in its wine program, and as part of that, the airline procures the best vintages up to a decade before they’re ready to be consumed. That’s some serious effort, and Emirates invests more in wine than any other airline in the world (and it’s not even close).
In first class, Emirates typically serves Dom Perignon champagne, which is fantastic, among the best you’ll find on any airline. Emirates usually serves whichever vintage is most common at that time. For example, this year Emirates has been serving 2013 Dom Perignon on most flights.
However, the airline is now upgrading champagne on many routes. Specifically, between now and the end of the year, Emirates is serving 2004 Dom Perignon Plenitude P2 on some routes. Since it’s not available on all flights, you can go to this page to look up the wine offering for each flight, based on the date and route. I’m now seeing plenty of routes showing the P2 available, effective immediately.
Emirates has served Dom Perignon P2 a few times in the past, including the 1998, 2000, and 2003 vintage. This is the first time Emirates will be serving the 2004 P2 vintage.
For what it’s worth, for the past several months, Emirates has been serving 2008 Dom Perignon Rose on select routes, in addition to the standard 2013 Dom Perignon. However, now we’re seeing the airline move from the Rose to the P2.
For those curious about the cost, the 2013 Dom Perignon typically retails for around $300 per bottle, the 2008 Dom Perignon Rose typically retails for nearly $500 per bottle, and the 2004 Dom Perignon Plenitude P2 typically retails for nearly $600 per bottle.
What is Dom Perignon P2 champagne, anyway?
For those not familiar with P2, the term is short for “second plenitude.” The idea is that the P2s have undergone much longer lees aging than vintage equivalents, resulting in additional freshness and complexity. Significantly less P2 champagne is made and it takes longer to produce, and that’s also why it’s significantly more expensive.
Here’s how Emirates describes the 2004 Dom Perignon P2:
Presenting an affirmed and precise minerality, the second plénitude of this excellent vintage offers citrusy notes of pink grapefruit and blood oranges, that gently cede to figs. Its’ 20 years on the lees elevates the minerality with the sublime maturity that is Dom Pérignon’s signature, featuring rich notes of cocoa, mocha, roasted nuts, brioche, honey, and licorice.
Bottom line
Through the end of 2024, Emirates is upgrading its first class Dom Perignon selection. On some routes, we’re starting to see 2004 Dom Perignon P2 served. This follows the airline serving 2008 Dom Perignon Rose on many routes over the past few months.
Emirates’ alcohol selection is great under normal circumstances, though this certainly takes the champagne options to the next level.
Anyone looking forward to sampling Dom Perignon P2 in Emirates first class?
I was fortunate to try P2 a few years ago. It is excellent. But Dom is typically over rated in my opinion. Yes, it's subjective. For me it has to do with the combination of grapes. I despise any blanc de blanc as 100% chardonnay is just too heavy. I much prefer pinot noir as the predominant grape along with some chardonnay... a 70/30 ratio is my ideal. Maybe a splash of meuniere... not too...
I was fortunate to try P2 a few years ago. It is excellent. But Dom is typically over rated in my opinion. Yes, it's subjective. For me it has to do with the combination of grapes. I despise any blanc de blanc as 100% chardonnay is just too heavy. I much prefer pinot noir as the predominant grape along with some chardonnay... a 70/30 ratio is my ideal. Maybe a splash of meuniere... not too much, though as it can over power the palate. If I'm going grande dames, I prefer Krug or Cristal. But kudos to Emirates for expanding their offerings.
The Louis Latour 2012 on the ATH - EWR flight last week was extraordinary! The Dom rosé was less interesting.
Ah, the airline 'champagne' wars ... EK vs SQ and even on the same day !
On a broader note, I'd be interested in your views on Business Traveller's "Cellars In The Sky" awards which have run annually for the past 35 years ?
https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2024/02/12/cellars-in-the-sky-2023-best-airline-wines-revealed/
Also of note is the list of 2023 winners, where QF continues to regularly win 'Best Cellar' and a slew of individual red, white, sparkling, desert awards, competing against carriers...
Ah, the airline 'champagne' wars ... EK vs SQ and even on the same day !
On a broader note, I'd be interested in your views on Business Traveller's "Cellars In The Sky" awards which have run annually for the past 35 years ?
https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2024/02/12/cellars-in-the-sky-2023-best-airline-wines-revealed/
Also of note is the list of 2023 winners, where QF continues to regularly win 'Best Cellar' and a slew of individual red, white, sparkling, desert awards, competing against carriers such as QR, SQ, LH,CX etc. It also might surprise readers on OMAAT that US carriers including AA, UA, DL are also winning limited awards. See :
https://www.businesstraveller.com/awards/cellars-in-the-sky-2023/
Whilst EK is somewhat admirable in investing a billion dollars plus in their wine program which also seeks to lock in wine producers into 'exclusive' contracts (gee, that seems slightly like an attempt at restricting trade in the name of competition, doesn't it?), it is curious that EK - despite its collection of 'name' brands, has apparently never entered this well-regarded competition?
For those seriously interested in airline wine offerings, the list makes fascinating reading. Disclaimer: I am not associated with the cited website, but have followed it for many years.
How long do we think the P2 will be served for? The Rose went many months past what was in the press release…have a February flight and hoping it will still be on board!
Mrs Doubt and I flying in F on the A380 in February. 15:45 of potential champagne time.
See you on the other side.
Whatever. Call me when it goes to 11.
But it only goes to 10.
Whatever. Call me when emirates starts serving P3.
I'll wait for Jacques Selosse Substance Blanc de Blanc to show up, although that seems unlikely.