Source: Emirates
Heralding the arrival of International Wine Day on 25 May, Emirates is offering an unparalleled fly better experience to wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs, launching even more rare vintages in the sky this summer – a remarkable collection of the most acclaimed wines of their respective regions, all onboard at the same time.
Exclusive Dom Pérignon Rosé Champagne 2008
In First Class, customers on routes from Dubai to the UK and Americas will now be treated to complimentary Dom Pérignon Rosé 2008, exclusively served onboard Emirates. This luxury rosé champagne is a rare release of exceptional quality with very limited stock, expected to be onboard for just three months. The superb 2008 vintage of Dom Pérignon rosé has a bold assemblage created with Pinot Noir grapes. The fruit element and superb structure balance the tension between the precision and natural radiance of the rosé, giving it more body and weight. The 2008 bouquet bursts forth with raspberries and wild strawberries, and powdery notes of iris and violet immediately meld with the fruit aromas. The palate is full-bodied and silky, and the acidic foundation that is the signature of the vintage weaves into the structure of the pinot noir, vibrating the heart of the wine. The persistent finish is redolent of peonies and white pepper.
Louis Latour Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru Les Demoiselles 2014
First Class customers onboard routes from Dubai to the UK and Americas throughout June and July will be able to sample an exquisite vintage of white wine from the renowned Burgundy region of France, where Louis Latour has been a family-owned Maison since 1797. As the largest landowner of Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte d’Or, including the Chevalier-Montrachet Les Demoiselles, the vineyards are renowned for their legendary terroir of limestone-rich soils, giving birth to wines of finesse and complexity. The highly anticipated 2014 Louis Latour Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru shows aromas of nectarine and quince with toasted hazelnut and mineral notes. The palate is taut with a harmonious balance of fruits, spices and a subtle minerality.
Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2019
Renowned for its mastery in creating some of Australia’s top multi-regional wines, Yattarna represents one of the most comprehensive wine development projects ever conducted. The initiative selectively sources the finest Chardonnay grapes from the cool-climate regions, and couples them with innovative winemaking, to produce an evolving style of Yattarna that continues to delight Chardonnay connoisseurs. From mid-June to October, First Class customers onboard routes from Dubai to Australasia are invited to savour the Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2019, which displays grapefruit and peach aromas on the nose, complemented by hints of meringue and roasted hazelnut. The palate is powerful and complex yet remains beguiling, graced with floral notes and a mineral-laced finish.
In the realm of red wines, this summer Emirates has a remarkable range of vintages onboard, from the celebrated regions of France, Spain, Italy and USA.
- Chapoutier Ermitage Rouge Le Pavillon, 2012
First Class customers on routes from Dubai to all mainland European destinations from June to mid-December are invited to savour an iconic wine from M. Chapoutier, a legendary name in the Rhône Valley, France. Part of the ‘Sélections Parcellaires,’ the grapes come from a vineyard that sits on a fine layer of granitic subsoil, contributing significantly to the wines’ complexity. The 2012 Ermitage Rouge Le Pavillon showcases dark raspberries and cassis with liquorice overtones. The palate is full-bodied and interwoven with flavours of blackcurrant and cooking spice, all underscored by a vibrant minerality.
Vega Sicilia Unico 2006 Ribera del Duero
From Spain’s iconic winery founded in 1864 by Eloy Lecanda y Chaves, Emirates presents the Vega Sicilia Unico 2006 Ribera del Duero for First Class customers travelling between Dubai and all mainland European destinations throughout June and July. The vineyards that produce this iconic wine are enriched by calcareous clay soil and a harsh continental climate, which contribute to Unico’s robust, complex, yet elegant character. First Class customers will note that the 2006 vintage unfurls with a bouquet of black cherry, eucalyptus, and layers of leather and tobacco on the nose. The palate is full-bodied, with velvety tannins that envelop flavours of spice and balsamic notes, culminating in a lingering, opulent finish.
Ornellaia, Bolgheri Tuscany 2012
Now onboard, First Class customers travelling from Milan and JFK, New York can experience one of Italy’s most celebrated Tuscan wines, Ornellaia, Bolgheri Tuscany 2012. Ornellaia was founded by Marchesi Lodovico Antinori in 1981. One of the leaders of the ‘Super Tuscan’ category, the vineyards benefit from a mild Mediterranean climate which gives the wine an opulent character. The Ornellaia 2012 is vibrant and generous with cherry, spice, grilled herb and leather on the nose. The palate is full-bodied with soft tannins and a beautifully persistent finish.
Brunello Di Montalcino 2010 Ceretalto, Casanova Di Neri Toscana
Another notable Italian vintage now featuring onboard Emirates is the Brunello di Montalcino 2010. First Class customers travelling between Dubai to Italian routes from May 2024 to January 2025 will be able to enjoy the 2010 vintage which presents ripe blackberry and candied cherry aromas with spice, liquorice and hints of smoke. The palate is full-bodied with polished tannins, intriguing earthy notes, and excellent acidity and salinity at the long finish. Casanova di Neri was founded in 1971 by Giovanni Neri, who then passed it on to his son Giacomo in 1991. The Cerretalto vineyard is located at a high altitude on red clay soil with a ferrous component, which gives the wine superb structure and elegance.
Opus One Napa Valley 2012
On routes from Dubai to North America from the end of May throughout June, First Class customers have the opportunity to sample Opus One, a partnership between two revered wine dynasties. In 1979, the Rothschilds from Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux and the Mondavis from Napa came together to produce America’s first ultra-premium wine. The partnership was a significant landmark for Napa Valley and cemented the region’s place on the fine wine map. The Opus One Napa Valley 2012 effuses fresh dark fruit aromas accentuated by subtler forest-floor notes with hints of liquorice and smoke. The palate’s round mouthfeel and satiny tannins wrap around the classic flavours of cassis with lively acidity and a long lingering finish.
Emirates’ passion and dedication to the wine experience means that customers in all classes get to experience exceptional wines.
In Business Class, customers can savour an array of mature Bordeaux from the cellar from the spectacular 2009 vintage, including les Tourelles de Longueville 2009 on the UK and Americas routes, Sociando-Mallet 2009 on European routes, Château Lagrange 2009 on Middle Eastern routes and Larrivet Haut-Brion 2009 on far Eastern routes. Emirates buys wine from across Burgundy including Chassagne-Montrachet, Saint-Aubin and Pouilly-Fuissé and Chablis Premier Cru from a range of producers. Customers can also enjoy impressive Spanish wines like the Crognolo 2021, and Terre à Terre Cabernet-Shiraz from Australia from New Zealand on flights to Australasia.
In Premium Economy Class, customers receive a selection of sparkling vintage wine, premium red, and premium white wine. Examples include Chablis 2022 from Albert Bichot, the Woodcutters Shiraz 2021 from Torbreck in Barossa, and Domaine Chandon 2017 – a sparkling wine that is exclusive in the sky to Emirates Premium Economy.
In Economy Class, Emirates offers one red and one white wine, both of exceptionally high quality. Customers on all routes can relish Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabarnet 2021, now onboard. Recent additions also include ‘AOP’ and ‘Biodynamic’ wines from M. Chapoutier, Domaines Baron de Rothschild, a South African Sauvignon Blanc from sustainability champion, Gabb family and an Antinori Santa Cristina Cabernet Sauvignon red wine.