New selection of wines available onboard Emirates

Emirates is now offering a new wine list featuring some of the finest champagnes, red and white wines, and ports sourced from some of the best wine producing regions across its route network.

The new offering, which is already being served onboard, includes top-of-the-range Premier Cru, Grand Cru Classe, and premium quality wines from France, California, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Germany.

Passengers travelling in Emirates' First Class cabin can choose from a selection of three red and white wines each as well as champagne and port. Travelling to Europe and North America one can enjoy the impressive Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron 1995, considered by experts as one of the best vintages of the nineties.

Others include the beautifully crafted Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 produced by family-owned Heitz Wine Cellars; a South African Semillon from Fairview Estate in the Paarl region; an exceptional Premier Cru Chablis Montmain from the house of Fevre; and one of the very best wines produced in Champagne, Cuvee Dom Perignon Vintage 1998.

Emirates' passengers travelling in Business Class have a choice of two red and white wines each, champagne and port. Business Class passengers flying to Asia Pacific can relax before take-off with a glass of Cuvee de Reserve Brut champagne from the house of Charles-Ellner, and later partake of Torbreck Estate Old Vine Grenache Shiraz Mouvedre 2004 from Barossa Valley in Southern Australia; deep and rich Chateau Pontensac 1996 from Medoc; fresh and classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from Wither Hills Vineyards; and a classic Fume Blanc from Pascal Jolivet, Pouilly Fume 2003.

Expanding its offering for 2005-2006, Emirates will now have eight specific wine lists - separate ones for First and Business Class on the routes to Asia Pacific; Europe, North America and Africa; Germany; and short-haul destinations.

Terry Daly, Emirates' Senior Vice President - Service Delivery said, "Emirates' new wine list heralds the finest selection in the skies and reflects the truly global nature of the airline. Our wine experts have sourced from vineyards with a history in wine-making that spans generations - such as the Chateau Lynch-Bages and Chateau Pichon-Longueville - and we are confident these will be enjoyed by the most discerning connoisseurs and experts.

"As with everything else we do, our route-specific wine list will no doubt enhance the inflight experience. Our menus, integrating food and wine, are designed to complement each other making for a great flying experience."

Emirates' Inflight Services department has a dedicated selection committee with professional tasters from a new company in Dubai, Emirates Fine Wines, tasked with choosing wines based on customer preferences.

Emirates' cabin crew members are trained in understanding the various nuances of wines, their history and how best to serve them on board.

A complimentary selection of fine quality wines, such as Monastier Cabernet Sauvignon Vin de Pays d'Oc especially chosen annually by the airline's selection committee, is served in Economy Class.

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