British Airways is now serving English sparkling wine in business class, which is kind of fun.
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British Airways showcasing English sparkling wines
For some business class passengers, a glass of sparkling wine is a celebratory part of the travel journey. On a vast majority of airlines, that comes from France’s Champagne region, given that it’s best known for its bubbly.
For the first time ever, British Airways will be mixing up its selection in Club World business class, and will be introducing English sparkling wine to its drink lineup. First of all, worry not, as nothing is being taken away. British Airways will continue serving Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Silver Top Non-Vintage Champagne in Club World, just as before.
For those looking for something a bit more local, British Airways will be working with four local wine producers from across England to showcase some English sparkling wines. The first wine to be featured as part of this rotation is the Digby Fine English Brut NV, which is now available onboard in Club World.
Previously the airline has only served English sparkling wine in first class, in the form of Hattingley Valley from Hampshire.
British Airways isn’t the first airline in the UK to be serving English sparkling wine, as this is something that Virgin Atlantic has been doing for years. Personally I love when airlines showcase local products, and English sparkling wine has been growing in popularity in recent years.
I’d love to do a side-by-side taste test of the English sparkling wine and Champagne on my next British Airways Club World flight.
The English sparkling wines that British Airways is serving
British Airways will be rotating four different English sparkling wines every three months. As mentioned above, there will be two sparkling wines on every flight, as you can still enjoy the standard Champagne. Here’s how British Airways describes the four English sparkling wines that will be served onboard:
The first English Sparkling wine will be the Digby Fine English Brut NV, which has over three years’ maturation, giving it great complexity and finesse for customers to savour. This wine pairs well with delicate dishes on the airline’s Club World menu, such as the grilled cod with sweet potato mousseline, mozzarella mezzaluna or an after-dinner selection of cheeses.
From July, the airline will serve the Balfour Rosé de Noirs, grown on the Balfour Hush Heath Estate in Kent, and made only from red grapes. This lighter rosé sparkling wine is an exclusive blend for British Airways, making it only available at 35,000ft for customers in the airline’s Club World cabin.
Later in the year, Simpsons Chalklands Cuvee Brut NV, from Kent will be available from October for three months. This epitomises English elegance and is pale gold in colour, with delicate notes of crisp green apple. Finally, Wiston Estate Brut NV from the South Downs, is refreshing in flavour, with citrus and toasty notes and available for customers to try in the airline’s Club World cabin from January 2024.
Bottom line
British Airways is adding English sparkling wine to its Club World wine list, with the selection rotating every three months. Nothing is being taken away, as British Airways will continue to serve the same Champagne as before. I look forward to giving this a try on my next British Airways flight.
What do you make of British Airways introducing English sparkling wine in Club World?
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.
Digby is quite good! We do a quarterly shipment. Don’t know the other two.
Hard pass.
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.
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!
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.
BA got a great deal on local leftovers because of the import consumptions.
The Heidsieck Silver Top is a cheap champagne under $30 and the sparklings are all $40-range. Hardly an upgrade.
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...
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.
Yes !
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.
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.
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!