I was just writing a post about how I’m flying Korean Air A380 first class later this week in my quest to try all A380 first class products. I was writing about how one of the things I was most looking forward to about Korean Air first class is that they serve 1998 Laurent-Perrier Alexandra Rose, which I believe is the most expensive champagne served by any airline (someone correct me if I’m wrong).
Then I reviewed a Korean Air first class menu and realized that they only serve it on their routes from Seoul Incheon to New York and Paris. On their other routes to the US they serve Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle, the same “delicate” champagne that Stuart generously served me on my BA A380 flight from London to Los Angeles in December.
To put this into perspective slightly, here’s what I’d be drinking on Seoul Incheon to New York:
While here’s what I’d be drinking on Seoul Incheon to Los Angeles:
Multiply it by four bottles or so, and we’re talking quite a difference in “value” at retail. 😉
Perhaps the most first world question I’ll ever ask on this blog, but would you route the “long way” for better champagne? I can make the change, but need to do so by tonight. It would translate into a longer positioning flight home, but if it’s worth it it’s worth it. Not only is the 1998 Laurent-Perrier Alexandra Rose expensive, but it’s apparently quite tough to find as well.
Thoughts? 😀
Lucky,
Here is your To-Do-List for 2014/15:
With top-end travel an increasingly competitive business, airlines around the world spend millions of dollars each year polishing their wine lists in the hope of attracting more passengers. Their efforts are noted at the annual Cellars in the Sky awards, organized by U.K.-based Business Traveller magazine.
At this year's awards ceremony, Qantas once again topped the medal table, winning Best Overall Wine Cellar, Best First Class...
Lucky,
Here is your To-Do-List for 2014/15:
With top-end travel an increasingly competitive business, airlines around the world spend millions of dollars each year polishing their wine lists in the hope of attracting more passengers. Their efforts are noted at the annual Cellars in the Sky awards, organized by U.K.-based Business Traveller magazine.
At this year's awards ceremony, Qantas once again topped the medal table, winning Best Overall Wine Cellar, Best First Class Cellar, and Best Business Class Cellar. In addition, the airline – nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo" – was judged to serve the best sparkling and white wines in first class.
Two airlines won double awards: Emirates snatched the gold medals for best red wine in first class and best fortified/dessert wine in business class, while Taiwan-based Eva Air was honored for having the best business class white and sparkling wines.
The full list of winners is as follows:
Best Overall Wine Cellar
1. Qantas
2. Emirates
3. (JOINT) El-Al, Cathay Pacific
FIRST CLASS
Best First Class Red
1. Emirates – 2005 Clarendon Hills Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia
2. British Airways – 2007 Napanook, Napa Valley, California
3. Emirates – 2000 Château Cos d’Estournel, Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France
Best First Class White
1. Qantas – 2009 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia
2. TAM Airlines – 2009 Dr Bürklin-Wolf Pechstein Grand Cru, Pfalz, Germany
3. (JOINT) El-Al – 2012 Yarden Viognier, Galilee, Golan Heights, Israel; Malaysia Airlines – 2011 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, Mosel, Germany
Best First Class Sparkling
1. Qantas – 2000 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, France
2. (JOINT) Korean Air – 1998 Laurent-Perrier Alexandra Rosé, Champagne, France; Singapore Airlines – 2004 Dom Pérignon, Champagne, France
3. American Airlines – Gosset Grande Réserve NV, Champagne, France
Best First Class Fortified/Dessert
1. El-Al – 2011 Yarden Heights Gewurztraminer Late Harvest, Golan Heights, Galilee, Israel
2. Qantas – Seppeltsfield Paramount Rare Tokay NV, Australia
3. (JOINT) All Nippon Airways – W.& J. Graham’s 30 Year-Old Tawny Port, Portugal; TAM Airlines – 2005 Croft Late Bottled Vintage Port, Portugal
Best First Class Cellar
1. Qantas
2. All Nippon Airways
3. British Airways
Best-Presented First Class Wine List
1. Qatar Airways
2. Qantas
3. Singapore Airlines
BUSINESS CLASS
Best Business Class Red
1. Cathay Pacific – 2008 Murray Street White Label Barossa Shiraz, Australia
2. Qantas – 2011 Best’s Great Western Bin One Shiraz, Victoria, Australia
3. (JOINT) Etihad Airways – 2010 Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz, Clare Valley, Australia; Finnair – 2012 Atteca Vieilles Vignes, Calatayud, Spain
Best Business Class White
1. Eva Air – 2010 Vincent Girardin Chassagne-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes, Burgundy, France
2. Cathay Pacific – 2009 Taylors Chardonnay, Clare Valley, Australia
3. Air Canada – 2013 Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
Best Business Class Sparkling
1. Eva Air – 2004 Dom Pérignon, Champagne, France
2. (JOINT) All Nippon Airways, Qantas, Singapore Airlines – NV Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, Champagne, France; Emirates – 2004 Veuve Clicquot, Champagne, France
3. American Airlines – 2008 Moutard, Champagne, France
Best Business Class Fortified/Dessert
1. Emirates – Graham's 20 Year-Old Tawny Port, Portugal
2. Qantas – 2008 Lillypilly Noble Blend Family Reserve, New South Wales, Australia
3. Austrian Airlines – 2010 Kracher Cuvée Beerenauslese, Neusiedlersee, Austria
Best Business Class Cellar
1. Qantas
2. Etihad Airways
3. Cathay Pacific
Best-Presented Business Class Wine List
1. Air New Zealand
2. Qatar Airways
3. Finnair
Best Airline Alliance For Wine
Oneworld
ummm--no. Get a job--or switch to writing for one of the airline "in seat" rags which is where your heading---alert--alert--(dream job)..lol
To expand a little on what marcus and others have said...price has very little to do with how good champagne can be. If you judge Champagne by its price only you are officially clueless.
If you want to try some amazing Blanc de Blanc Champagnes that don't cost a fortune, why not try Launois Champagnes? They are from Grand Cru vineyards in Le Mesnil (same as Salon) and have cult status in France, in part...
To expand a little on what marcus and others have said...price has very little to do with how good champagne can be. If you judge Champagne by its price only you are officially clueless.
If you want to try some amazing Blanc de Blanc Champagnes that don't cost a fortune, why not try Launois Champagnes? They are from Grand Cru vineyards in Le Mesnil (same as Salon) and have cult status in France, in part because the French (unlike us Americans) have zero desire to massively overpay for Champagne. Alternatively, Pierre Peters and Pierre Moncuit make outstanding grand Cru BdB champagnes.
Or if that doesn't float your boat, how about some Lallement, which typically compares favorably to Krug due to the Pinot Noir content and the intense toasted hazelnut notes?
Or if you want rose, why not give Marguet, Arnould, or Billecart Salmon a shot? All of these are way less expensive than the LP Alexandra.
But I suspect that for you, the fun is not in drinking the wine, but in bragging how much it costs, right?
Definitely make the change!!
four bottles? you're going to get a headache
but maybe a $1300 headache doesn't hurt as much as a $600 headache
You may drink a lot of champagne based on your numerous first class flights, but do you actually drink champagne off the planes. Considering you're judging champagnes based on price, I seriously doubt you really know anything about champagne.
Maybe it's coz I don't drink alcohol, and it's very Schadenfreude of me... but I would love if you changed the flight and hiked over to New York, got on the flight only for the flight attendant to say "Sorry, unfortunately we don't have that onboard today Sir." LOL!!
lol Every time I think you've topped yourself in "First World Problems" articles...I think this one must rank at the top of the list ;)
@Lucky-- I think they're still serving route-based selections. I'm flying SFO-ICN-MLE in F this week, so I can report back.
@Marcus-- Clearly, you don't enjoy Bordeaux
YES! I would do it in a heartbeat....As long as I didn't have the wee ones with me.
Seems the article was really just a lead-in to Lucky's KA A380 trip. No reactions to the 3 comments pointing to Salon and his "most expensive airline champagne" claim.
If you can change with no cost, then do so. But like Marcus above, there is so much more to Champagne, than the cost. Take a trip to Champagne, hire a driver, and go tasting! It will be so much more fun then what specific prestige cuvee that a certain airline serves in 1st Class.
@eggss4 a simple rule is to avoid 2003 vintage of any wine from france including champagne. The heatwave killed all the grapes and consequently the wine.
I'd just pay $100 for a bottle of J Schram.
My last experience on OZ first class was pre-opened champagne (flat). Many bottles are also wasted by not chilling them properly.
I would prefer to buy a bottle myself and have it at home with family and friends. That's more enjoyable that sitting in an A380 for four more hours and a x-country trip to position a flight.
Most champagne houses buy 85% of their grapes from multiple villages and blend these grapes across multiple vintages to produce a consistent taste.
What you are seeking is actually terroir specific champagne. This is best done from grower champagne houses i.e. those who grow their own grapes. Grower champagne houses have a RM on their bottles while those who buy their grapes will have an NM inscribed on the bottle the bottle.
To get the...
Most champagne houses buy 85% of their grapes from multiple villages and blend these grapes across multiple vintages to produce a consistent taste.
What you are seeking is actually terroir specific champagne. This is best done from grower champagne houses i.e. those who grow their own grapes. Grower champagne houses have a RM on their bottles while those who buy their grapes will have an NM inscribed on the bottle the bottle.
To get the terroir specific champagne you are also looking for single village champagne. And if you are looking for the very best then you are looking for a Grand Cru, Single village, grower champagne. A Grand Cru single village could be Clos De Goisses or Aine etc...
While you may debate the quality of a Dom Perignon vs a Laurent Perrier or Jouet, that misses the point of champagne entirely! Its roughly like deciding which carrier's F service to try based on the fast food served in the food court in the home airport.
Unfortunately, just as in travel there is much to learn about champagne and I would encourage you to try the grower champagnes which will be much better and cheaper than the "famous names" you keep hearing about. To continue with my analogy everyone has heard about McDonalds but I am sure we can all agree it would be better to dine where Gary is dining. Cheers!
why do they need to separate this service ? the LA Hollywood crowd must be a smuck in their eyes ?
I'm usually fine with something really basic like Piper-Heidsieck. I have a bottle of Dom Perignon and a bottle of Krug for special occasions but it's not something I drink regularly. I draw the line of reason at the $150 mark so beyond that I really don't care because I won't be buying it. Everyone has their own idea of what makes a great champagne, but can we at least agree that Veuve Clicquot is absolutely terrible?
I read a couple of you bloggers, mainly to get idea's and help with this hobby. Now I'm not too sure what you for your main source of income, if you have time to fly the new York flight then do it, so it can be another notch on your belt. But I think for most of us working stiff who can't get away like you and who are stuck traveling domestic flights on a...
I read a couple of you bloggers, mainly to get idea's and help with this hobby. Now I'm not too sure what you for your main source of income, if you have time to fly the new York flight then do it, so it can be another notch on your belt. But I think for most of us working stiff who can't get away like you and who are stuck traveling domestic flights on a weekly basis I could care less what kind of Champaign is being served for me, I'm more interested in, a comfortable lounge, How are the seats in FC, and how fast can I get through customs. The meal is secondary as we all know that food is a hit or miss...
I read all the travel report on Milepost and FT and hear people rant and rave about one airline over another, people complain like they actually PAID for those tickets... Most are well written, and most people take the attitude too seriously...
Expensive =! better. Out of Krug, Dom and LPGS that I was served on NH, SQ and LH, I liked the LPGS the most. Maybe I'm not in the same world, but I'd prefer to take the direct flight and drink a $5 bottle (provided everything else is the same)
Look at this article:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2515716/40-Mumm-champagne-beats-400-Perrier-Jouet-blind-taste-test.html
the reality that in blind tests most people cannot differentiate between one and the other.
Yes
The Cellars in the Sky Award winners are out: http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-wins-big-at-inflight-wine-awards?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=flipper&utm_campaign=home-flipper
would you really be asking if you hadnt already decided to make the change?
For most mortal men, I would answer "no". But in your case, "yes" because of the value you'll get out of it as a reviewer with your blog
No not with it. It's about the destination.
I don't care about the Champagne, but I always go for the longer flight in F if I can.
Save yourself the time and hassle of changing your flight, but buy yourself a bottle here for $290:
http://www.finewinespirits.com/
Why not? Go for it!
You're really running out of stuff to talk about, aren't you? What's next, an in-depth review of the linen napkins and which thread count best serves your delicate complexion?
This is important to whom, exactly?
Is the rose also served in the LH FRA FCT? If so, that stuff rocked!
yeah, why not? do it.
What a great country we live in!
Half of the world population (3 billion) live on less then $2.50/day.
If you change your flights lets donate the difference in price between the two bottles to our local food banks. I also live in Washington state Easter side and will match your donation to our local food bank here.
Deal??
Do it!
@ acs -- More sleep=less drinking :D
Sounds like you are getting bored with your "routine" of first class air travel. Your time, your miles, your cash, your choice. I do question whether you run the risk of becoming more of a novelty entertainment blog if you do too much of this sort of thing. It is fun to read about your adventures, but most of us don't have the luxury of selecting our flights based on the champagne served. With the...
Sounds like you are getting bored with your "routine" of first class air travel. Your time, your miles, your cash, your choice. I do question whether you run the risk of becoming more of a novelty entertainment blog if you do too much of this sort of thing. It is fun to read about your adventures, but most of us don't have the luxury of selecting our flights based on the champagne served. With the big United devaluation, there will be fewer who even use miles to travel in first class - so I suspect that its not the kind of info that's all that useful to most of your readers. (But I agree it would be a fun read.)
Again, your choice.
The longer the flight the more to experience. Definitely go for the most out of the way one.
Longer flight in F = more sleep. I'd do it.
DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!
Under no circumstances would I do this. As Michael T pointed out, expensive does not equal better. This is especially true with wine. Wine Spectator (the best ranking magazine out there)rated this champagne a 93. While that is pretty good, that is not mind blowing. For example, I would not spend any more than $50 for a 93 rated wine. In fact you can usually find them for $30 a bottle or less. Anyone who...
Under no circumstances would I do this. As Michael T pointed out, expensive does not equal better. This is especially true with wine. Wine Spectator (the best ranking magazine out there)rated this champagne a 93. While that is pretty good, that is not mind blowing. For example, I would not spend any more than $50 for a 93 rated wine. In fact you can usually find them for $30 a bottle or less. Anyone who would spend $350 on this doesn't know much about wine. Do yourself a favor and go to a wine bar with the time you saved, and drink something good.
Furthermore you lose 20-30% of your taste in the air. You wouldn't be able to fully enjoy this.
How about JAL?
They serve Salon.
I think it is more expensive.
Salon is not only (generally) more expensive but also better by a wide margin.
I know this post was tongue in cheek at least partially, but I really would love to read a post on what champagnes I should order in premium cabins. I have absolutely no idea whether 2002 Dom is better than 2003 and how Dom differs from Krug, or whatever. Anyone know a good website with guidance?
You may finally have lost your mind - and I didn't comment at all about Hello Kitty, but yes, of course, make the switch.
YESSS DO IT ABSOLUTELY!!!
Unless you are connoisseur of champagne, I don't think I would be able to tell the difference.
do it, looking forward to your pic & review. longer route should not be an issue unless your pressed for time/schedule.
Other wines are better on the New York/Paris routes, as well, not just the champagne. If memory serves when I flew ICN-IAD, had I been flying to JFK I could have had a very nice sauternes to accompany my dessert...
You only live once so why not.
Last April, I routed my return from Asia via JFK to try the Champagne. There were 7 passengers in First and they loaded 1 bottle. Luckliy only 3 passengers were drinking so I got to try couple glasses. FA apologized for running out just as meal service was beginnig.
I guess that's better than not having any Champagne from NRT to ICN in First. I was told they had 2 wines on board, a white...
Last April, I routed my return from Asia via JFK to try the Champagne. There were 7 passengers in First and they loaded 1 bottle. Luckliy only 3 passengers were drinking so I got to try couple glasses. FA apologized for running out just as meal service was beginnig.
I guess that's better than not having any Champagne from NRT to ICN in First. I was told they had 2 wines on board, a white and a red. White turned out to be a sweet plum wine.
KAL First is a decent product but wine service was subpar.
I'd say go for it except Murphy's law states it won't be available that day and you'll have made the extra effort for nothing.
I'd call this nonsense, but haven't you flown Ana just for the Rimowa amenity kit?
If you drink a Rose, go for it!!! It is considered more exclusive. BTW, I've found the routes including NY as the ones that offer more exclusive touches in terms of food and beverage on business and first class. It means, NY is a top and competitive route where all airlines try to offer their best to get a customer.
@Lucky Ethan's link seems to indicate all Korea to US and Europe flights will be serving "Belle Époque" in first. Wine searcher is pricing it at $85 at the Belmont Wine Exchange.
Talk about a "devaluation", from 1998 Laurent-Perrier Alexandra Rose, down to
Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque. :(
Go for it!! (but skip kuwait airways!)
Oh, I'm a total champagne snob. Go for the more expensive one! It's not like you have to be somewhere for a meeting!
go for it! the expensive one i mean
As long as you admit that you're nuts, I don't think this makes you any MORE nuts :-D
If you go ahead with it, you'll have to review the full range of offerings from all airlines. I'm pretty sure Spirit is serving Boone's Farm Tickle Pink…for $15/bottle.
I'm quite sure you're mostly being facetious, but no, I would never go out of my way for that.
I like and respect wine and champagne, but my palate is not sophisticated enough to notice the differences between two bottles of that caliber.
Now, the difference between a $5 bottle and a halfway decent bottle? That's something even my classless taste buds can comprehend.
I would think this would be a no-brainer, since I would guess the longer positioning flight is a feature, not a bug. More EQMs!
I'd do it but only if after I got off the plane -- there was a man in a black suit holding a small sign with my name on it.
Do it!!!!
@ Blandon -- It's intended to be (at least mildly) tongue in cheek, for what it's worth. The difference between the top first class products are ultimately really small touches, and hey, this is potentially one of them!
If you are asking probably yes.
Love reading your blog, Lucky, but it's stories like this that make me feel like I'm completely out of your demographic.
@ Djuha -- I've rated the best hot beverages in the sky:
https://onemileatatime.com/best-hot-beverages-sky/
Does that count? :D
Japan Airlines serves 1999 Champagne Salon which seems to be more expensive based on your source.
Has anyone done a ranking of airline drinks offerings?
A top producer Rose champagne is always going to be a more exclusive wine (and in my opinion, better wine).
@ Ethan -- Woah, that's news to me! Do we know which type of Perrier-Jouët they serve on which route?
Didn't they switch away from Laurent Perrier?
http://www.businesstraveller.asia/asia-pacific/news/korean-air-introduces-perrier-jouA-t-champagne
DO IT! No-brainer. And yes, pleeeeease review Kuwait Airlines. Can't wait to read it.
More expensive doesn't necessarily equate with better champagne.