Pierre Yang, vice president of the in-flight service supply division of Taiwan-based China Airlines, recently revealed how the carrier selects its wines. “We take into account many things in choosing wines, from international trends to our various passenger groups,” he said. “Taiwanese passengers, for instance, prefer rich, complex red wines such as Bordeaux and white wines with low tannins and sweet flavors. German Rieslings, for example. “And we take into consideration our in-flight meals, especially our Chinese cuisine, of which we are extremely proud. We want wines that go well with all our foods.” He also looks for wines ready to drink as soon as they are opened, and because the cabin’s pressure can dull passengers’ taste buds, he usually selects rich wines. Once a year, he and his staff set the standards for the wines they want, including their preferred vintage, grape variety, region and wine style. They post these standards online, inviting wineries and suppliers to submit samples of high-scoring wines fitting these criteria. And then his tasting committee goes to work. The committee, composed of flight attendants with sommelier certification and outside wine experts, begins with about 200 wines, narrows them down to about 20 in each category and continues to taste using international standards, not personal preferences, until it has chosen one vintage Champagne, one non-vintage Champagne, three white wines and five reds for first class and another set for business class. And he adds other wines during the year, for Christmas and Chinese New Year, for example. Generally, first-class China Airlines passengers can expect Champagne; white wines from Burgundy, Germany and New Zealand or other New World countries; and three reds, usually from Bordeaux, California and Australia or other New World countries. Business-class passengers are offered Champagne and, usually, French, German and New Zealand white wines, and Bordeaux plus American Merlot and Chianti among reds. China Airlines also offers beers from Taiwan, Japan and Europe. “We purchase fine wines in peak condition that are ready to drink and that maintain their quality during temperature, light and environment changes,” Yang said. To which he could add, wines ready to give passengers on China Airlines an ultimate, pleasing dining experience.