Global Traveler proudly announces the results of its Wines on the Wing airline wine competition, the survey’s 19th tasting.
The blind tasting, held June 29, took place at The Ned NoMad in New York City. Judges participated in a blind tasting of airlines’ white, red and sparkling wines. Judges included wine makers, sommeliers, wine shop owners and other wine industry executives.
Airlines are required to submit five different wines — two red wines, two white wines and one sparkling wine/Champagne — to be eligible for the overall Top International First-Class Wines on the Wing award or Top International Business-Class Wines on the Wing award. This year, the winner for Top International First-Class Wines on the Wing was Swiss International Air Lines, and the winner for Top International Business-Class Wines on the Wing was Air Tahiti Nui.
In the white wine category, Top White Wine International First Class was Schloss Vollards Schlossberg Riesling Grosses Gewäch QBA 2019, submitted by STARLUX Airlines. For business class, the winner was Air Tahiti Nui with AOC Les Grands Terroirs Samuel Billaud Chablis 2023.
Qatar Airways won for top first-class Champagne, serving Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2013. The top business-class Champagne was Condor’s Champagne Pol Hensler Grande Réserve, France NV.
When it came to red wine, SWISS reigned supreme in the first-class category with Cayas Syrah 2022, Jean-René Germanier Vétroz, Valais AOC. Qatar Airways took the No. 1 business-class spot with Kangarilla Road Devils Whiskers Shiraz 2021.
Tom Gannon, a world-renowned wine expert, serves as the director of the Wines on the Wing airline wine survey. After moving to New York City and working as a bartender, Gannon took wine classes through the American Sommelier Association at Windows on the World in 2001. He was then sommelier at Rothmann’s Steakhouse in Midtown for nine years before leaving to work for Spire Collection, the luxury portfolio of Jackson Family Wines. He splits his time between Nashville and New York City.
For the 14th year, Global Traveler also awarded the Top North America Premium Class Wines on the Wing. Airlines flying from a point in North America to another point in North America submitted first- and business-class wine samples, depending on their flight offerings.
Aeromexico was named Top North America Premium Class Wines on the Wing and also won for its red wine — Vino Tinto Lagar de Proventus 2018. It was actually a tie in the red wine category, with American Airlines also winning for its Castello di Verrazzano “Rosso Verrazzano” Toscana IGT, Italy 2020. AA also takes Top Sparkling Wine North American Premium Class for Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Premier Cru Extra-Brut, Champagne AOC France. Delta Air Lines was tops in the white wine category with its Invivo X by SJP Sauvignon Blanc.
Airlines also submitted wines served in international premium economy. As no airline submitted a complete submission of two reds, two whites and one sparkling/Champagne, there is no overall winner in this category; however, individual winners include Ethiopian Airlines, Top Sparkling Wine International Premium Economy for Pommery Brut Apanace; Air Tahiti Nui, Top Red Wine International Premium Economy for Château Le Vieux Fort Cru Bourgeois Médoc AOP, and Top White Wine International Premium Economy for Château de Montgueret Petit Saint Louis Saumur Blanc AOP; and Swiss International Air Lines, tied for Top Red Wine International Premium Economy for Assemblage de Romandie Domaine les Perrières Geneva, Switzerland.
For the 11th year, Global Traveler awarded Best Alliance Wines on the Wing. The participating airlines were grouped by airline alliance. The overall points for each airline were tallied and averaged to determine the alliance with the highest total. Congratulations to oneworld, Best Alliance Wines on the Wing, second year in a row!
Global Traveler is the only U.S.-based publication to conduct such a survey in the United States.
The top airlines in each category are:
Top International First-Class Wines on the Wing
Swiss International Air Lines
Top Sparkling Wine International First Class
Qatar Airways – Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2013
Top Red Wine International First Class
Swiss International Air Lines – Cayas Syrah 2022, Jean-René Germanier Vétroz, Valais AOC
Top White Wine International First Class
STARLUX Airlines – Schloss Vollards Schlossberg Riesling Grosses Gewäch QBA 2019
Top International Business-Class Wines on the Wing
Air Tahiti Nui
Top Sparkling Wine International Business Class
Condor – Champagne Pol Hensler Grande Réserve, France NV
Top Red Wine International Business Class
Qatar Airways – Kangarilla Road Devils Whiskers Shiraz 2021
Top White Wine International Business Class
Air Tahiti Nui – AOC Les Grands Terroirs Samuel Billaud Chablis 2023
Top North America Premium Class Wines on the Wing
Aeromexico
Top Sparkling Wine North American Premium Class
American Airlines – Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Premier Cru Extra-Brut, Champagne AOC, France
Top Red Wine North American Premium Class
American Airlines – Castello di Verrazzano “Rosso Verrazzano” Toscana IGT, Italy 2020
Top Red Wine North American Premium Class
Aeromexico – Vino Tinto Lagar de Proventus 2018
Top White Wine North American Premium Class
Delta Air Lines – Invivo X by SJP Sauvignon Blanc
Top Sparkling Wine International Premium Economy
Ethiopian Airlines – Pommery Brut Apanace
Top Red Wine International Premium Economy
Air Tahiti Nui – Château Le Vieux Fort Cru Bourgeois Médoc AOP
Top Red Wine International Premium Economy
Swiss International Air Lines – Assemblage de Romandie Domaine les Perrières Geneva, Switzerland
Top White Wine International Premium Economy
Air Tahiti Nui – Château de Montgueret Petit Saint Louis Saumur Blanc AOP
Top Alliance Wines on the Wing
oneworld
Second Consecutive Year
For more information on the competition, check out the August issue of Global Traveler or visit www.globaltravelerusa.com.
About Global Traveler
With nearly 550,000 readers, Global Traveler connects brands with U.S.-based frequent, affluent travelers. According to MRI Simmons, GT readers have an average net worth of $2 million and 50 percent are CEOs and owners of companies. Our readers average 18 domestic flights per year and 93 percent travel internationally on a regular basis (18 round-trips in the last three years), mostly in first and business class. More than 80 percent stay in 4- and 5-star hotels, at an average 210 nights per year. Special editions complement monthly issues. Each year, Global Traveler awards the GT Tested Reader Survey awards and the Leisure Lifestyle Awards.
About FXExpress Publications, Inc.
FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler, www.globaltravelerusa.com, FX Excursions, eFlyer and several annuals. WhereverFamily LLC publishes whereverfamily.com and its related brands, and Trazee Travel, LLC publishes trazeetravel.com. FXExpress Publications, Inc. awards the annual Industry Leader Awards and FXExpress Traveler of the Year honors.
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