Lufthansa seems to have upgraded its first class champagne selection for the time being, which is exciting, though I’m also a bit confused (thanks to FrankfurtFlyer and YHBU for flagging this).
In this post:
2013 Dom Perignon in Lufthansa first class
As of the month of November, Lufthansa is pouring 2013 Dom Perignon in first class (on routes where that cabin is offered). Lufthansa hasn’t put out a press release about this, or anything, but Lufthansa publishes its menus online, and the wine list shows the Dom Perignon being served. It’s not yet known for how long the Dom Perignon will stick around, though it’s at least showing through the end of the month.
While Lufthansa has often served good champagne in first class, historically the airline hasn’t had much consistency. Instead, the airline serves a selection that seems to rotate every couple of months or so. As you’d expect, some months have a better selection than others.
I don’t want to suggest that Dom Perignon is the world’s best champagne, or anything, but in terms of name recognition and reputation, I think it goes without saying that this is superior to anything that Lufthansa has served in a very long time. So if you’re flying Lufthansa first class anytime soon, make sure you have a glass or three. It’s certainly more competitive to some of the champagne being served by other airlines.
Is Emirates’ Dom Perignon exclusivity over?!
No airline in the world invests as much in alcohol as Emirates does. It’s not even close. In late 2022, Emirates announced exclusive agreements, whereby it would be the only airline in the world to be serving Moet & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Dom Perignon onboard.
These agreements were supposed to be in place until 2024, for a period of around two years. This had quite some implications for other airlines, which had to switch up their champagne selection, given this exclusivity.
So, with Lufthansa now serving Dom Perignon in first class, what does that mean regarding Emirates’ exclusivity? It’s certainly possible that the exclusive agreement is now over (as of November 2024), and we could see other airlines serving Dom Perignon once again.
Or I suppose it’s also possible that Lufthansa found some sort of creative way to source Dom Perignon through a supplier, since that’s not something that can necessarily be controlled as easily. Honestly, that all sounds a bit creative for Lufthansa, so I suspect the answer is simply that the exclusive agreement is over.
Personally I welcome Emirates’ exclusive agreement being over. That’s because it should lead to an improvement in the champagne selection on some other airlines, while not taking anything away from Emirates (other than bragging rights).
Bottom line
Lufthansa is currently serving Dom Perignon in first class, which is arguably the best champagne that we’ve seen on the airline in a very long time. This should be a treat for those flying Lufthansa in the near future. For the past couple of years, Emirates has had exclusivity when it comes to Dom Perignon, so I’m happy to see it available on another airline once again.
What do you make of Lufthansa’s first class champagne change?
Interesting development. Remember last year Laurent Perrier cancelled deals for LPGS with airlines (BA, LH, LX etc) saying it wasn’t interested in the market anymore?
Well, LH earlier this year resumed serving Grand Siècle while LX is still serving sth else.
Listen, Please spell Champagne with a capital C if you’re talking about real Champagne from the Champagne region. It is a place name and therefore should be capitalized. Not capitalizing it implies other sparkling wines that are not from this region but pretending to be. This is pretty basic don’t you think?
@Chris, When talking about the Champagne region it is spelled with a capital C but the drink is always spelled with a small c. Only sparkling wine from the Champagne region can be called champagne. ( except for 3 sparkling wines from California that can be called California champagne as they are grandfathered in before the laws were established. Korbel , Andre and Cook).I am a certified champagne master and this was part of the curriculum. Cheers, Dennis
Just flew LH F a few days ago from SF to FRA and while Dom Perignon was listed on the menu, they still served the usual Grand Siecle from Laurent Perrier.
Flown yesterday to Boston and confirm Dom 2013 served and of course appreciated altough in general food lacking flavour, caviar including:(
No discerning traveler will choose an airline purely because of the label on a bottle.
The two year exclusivity clause is coming to an end with EK and Dom Perignon, Möet, and Veuve Yellow Label Champagnes. Prior, Champagne demand has outpaced supply, however the environment has changed. While LVMH isn't struggling drastically. However, there is a sales decline, and the wine and spirits business is a volume game. I recon, LVMH is going to be more and more willing to have contracts again with other airlines to gain volume distribution,...
The two year exclusivity clause is coming to an end with EK and Dom Perignon, Möet, and Veuve Yellow Label Champagnes. Prior, Champagne demand has outpaced supply, however the environment has changed. While LVMH isn't struggling drastically. However, there is a sales decline, and the wine and spirits business is a volume game. I recon, LVMH is going to be more and more willing to have contracts again with other airlines to gain volume distribution, and brand exposure. This is just a supply and demand thing.
LH found a 3rd party supplier to go around the Ek exlusivity deal. Dom stays till end of the year in LH F, due to my information. Actually all airlines can do the same, it just cost them extra on sourcing the LVMH stuff :-)
In most markets grey market sourcing for wines and spirits isn't a allowed. Case in point, alcohol distributors must be licensed in the jurisdiction they operate in ( in USA it varies state. by state.) Most major companies opt for one distributor to cater to a class of customers. In USA the its a Duopoly between Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits, and Breakthrough Beverage. It's similar in EU, India, China so on and so fourth....
In most markets grey market sourcing for wines and spirits isn't a allowed. Case in point, alcohol distributors must be licensed in the jurisdiction they operate in ( in USA it varies state. by state.) Most major companies opt for one distributor to cater to a class of customers. In USA the its a Duopoly between Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits, and Breakthrough Beverage. It's similar in EU, India, China so on and so fourth. So your grey market sourcing anecdote for a product controlled isn't entirely relevant in this context.
Robert is actually right, it is really easy to trade alcool in EU, it is a total different market than the USA. LH is for sure getting supplied by a trader and not by LVMH directly, they just started their contract...
I wonder if they actually serve Dom Perignon or only list it on the wine list. LH is “famous” for not serving what is on the F wine list, but some cheap supermarket alternatives …
They actually do! I flew RUH-FRA on Friday in F and was quite surprised when the actually poured the 2013 Dom Perignon.
A shit hard product and shit food can’t be redeemed with mediocre upper tier champagne
The caviar LH serves is pretty terrible and the Laurent Perrier is J champagne. Dom isn’t anything to get too excited about but it’s at least a step up from what they serve now.
@Prart
Laurent Perrier and Dom Perignon are stellar . I consider any champagne with 1er cru or premier cru blend exceptional . The closer to room temperature the better.
I can’t believe 8 yrs ago before I got into champagne that American served Lanson in J. Good stuff.
I always wondéred if all people drinking champagne on planes and lounges really do like champagne....I say It because the ''demograph analysis' and the 'leg crossing position' of these people is quite homogeneous...looks like atrezzo
I don‘t fully understand your comment (english is not my first language). Can you please help me to parse it: what is meant with „leg crossing position“ and „atrezzo“? Thanks in advance!
@Max - English is my first language and I don't understand it. Based on the accent mark on the word "wondered", I think Antonio is trying to translate idioms from their native language into English.
In October I took a Lufthansa Business Class flight to Asia from Frankfurt and they served Moet Champagne in Business Class. Interestingly they did not mention this in the published meal menu that you can find online. I have a picture of needed.
So no more exclusivity?
@Antonio: I have come to realize that most people, especially those who create trip reports do not like it. It is done merely as an affectation. It is touted merely because of the price of the particular brand in question and the perception that it is a luxury enjoyed by the upper class.
I drink champagne like it's regular table wine. Not every day, but I'll drink it with trashy food or fancy cuisine And i don't buy the low quality stuff. My point being is that there are plenty of us who just prefer champagne over anything else. Fun fact... the actor Larry Hagman was known for drinking a bottle of champagne daily while on set filming "Dallas" TV show.