By Ian Neubauer
Qantas was awarded ‘Best First Class Cellar’ and ‘Best Business Class Sparkling’ at the 2008 Cellars in the Sky Awards in London.
Qantas group general manger – product and services, Lesley Grant, said the award recognised the airline’s commitment to quality Australian wines.
“Qantas has been a strong supporter of the Australian wine industry for many years,” Grant said. “Through the Qantas Wine Program we showcase a large and diverse range of around 400 wines to our customer every year.”
The national carrier’s wine list is designed by a panel that evaluates thousands of wine samples submitted to Qantas every year. The panel consists of Vanya Cullen, Stephen Pannell and Tom Carson.
“The panel’s expertise ensures we select the finest wines that suit our customer base in all travel classes and the in flight environment,” Grant said. “By balancing brands, varieties and regions, the program is designed so that almost no two flights will carry exactly the same selection of wine.”
Qantas cabin crew are provided with sommelier training and a Qantas Inflight Wine Guide is provided to first and business class travellers. The wines entered in the 2008 Cellars in the Sky Award included Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires 1995, Hardy’s Eileen Hardy Chardonnay 2005, Bleasdale Frank Potts 2004, Penfold’s Reserve Bin 05A Chardonnay 2005 and Morris Old Premium Liqueur Muscat NV, among others.
Cellars in the Sky is an annual event organised by UK magazines Wine & Spirit and Business Traveller. The competition judges the best first and business class wines from airlines around the world, with winners are chosen after a two-day blind tasting