Cathay Pacific Airways today announced the latest promotion to enhance its award-winning inflight wine selection \u2013 the introduction of six world-class wines from Saint-\u00c9milion, Bordeaux, France to the First Class wine list.
\nFollowing the success of the 1855 Bordeaux Classification wine promotion, launched last May, the airline has continued to search for premium Bordeaux wines to delight the discerning palates of its premium passengers. Passengers in First Class now have the chance to appreciate half-a-dozen carefully selected top-quality wines from Saint-\u00c9milion in addition to the regular First Class wine selection.
\nThe latest round of wine selection features six premium wines from Saint-\u00c9milion, each being selected to show a different aspect of the important terroir of the area. The collection includes prestige wines from up-and-coming Grand Cru producers to the renowned Premier Grand Cru Class\u00e9. Representing different ranks of the appellation, these excellent wines are all well-suited to enjoy inflight.
\nThe following six premium wines from Saint-\u00c9milion will be served to various destinations across the airline\u2019s network and rotated regularly for a year:
Cathay Pacific General Manager Inflight Services James Ginns said: \u201cAt Cathay Pacific we strive to offer our passengers the best possible selection of food and beverages as part of our overall inflight experience. In addition to our regular award-winning selection, our catering team from time to time selects promotional wines for our premium passengers, offering them the chance to taste wines of special styles or from wine-producing areas they might not have tried before.\u201d
\nCathay Pacific currently carries around 100 different wines to go with its wide variety of inflight cuisine and suit the differing tastes of passengers from around the world. The current selection includes wines from France, Italy, South Africa, Australia, the United States and New Zealand. In 2012 the airline served around 1.5 million bottles of wine and champagne on its flights.
Tasting notes for the First Class Saint-\u00c9milion wines:
Ch\u00e2teau Figeac, Saint-\u00c9milion Premier Grand Cru Class\u00e9 2007
\nCh\u00e2teau Figeac, a Premier Grand Cru Class\u00e9, is unique. It has the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon among all Ch\u00e2teaux in Saint-\u00c9milion and has always been considered a Ch\u00e2teau with the potential to produce the best wine in the region. The 2007 vintage is a dark crimson colour, rich with attractive fruit flavours and an elegant structure. It is one of the best right-bank wines in this challenging vintage.
Ch\u00e2teau Canon-la-Gaffeli\u00e8re, Saint-\u00c9milion Grand Cru Class\u00e9 2007
\nAn outstanding wine from a difficult vintage that favoured Cabernet Franc, it is very aromatic with hints of oak and chard. The colour shows ruby with hints of crimson. The finely balanced palate sustains fruit and mild tannins.
Ch\u00e2teau Dassault, Saint-\u00c9milion Grand Cru Class\u00e9 2004
\nBecause of the gentle flavours of this vintage, many people have overlooked the quality it produced. The ability to pick from the best blocks has been proven in this wine. The colour is medium dense and still vibrant. There are toasty aromas mingled with dark ripe berry fruit aromas. Satin smooth tannins glide you to a long finish.
Ch\u00e2teau Fonpl\u00e9gade, Saint-\u00c9milion Grand Cru Class\u00e9 2008
\nThe Merlot gives this wine great colour in this vintage and the higher site of the vineyard and air movement produced close to perfect grapes. The colour is deep with concentration that points to a wine of great flavour. It has the aroma of dark berries and a silky tannin finish.
Ch\u00e2teau La Couspaude, Saint-\u00c9milion Grand Cru Class\u00e9 2009
\nThe 2009 is a modern Saint-\u00c9milion executed with panache. Soft and round, this beautiful wine offers copious ripe fruit aromas and flavours of blackberry and currant, with liquorice, smoke, and coffee notes layered with vanilla oak. It is full-bodied with sweet tannins, accompanied by a long, silky finish.
Ch\u00e2teau Haut Brisson La R\u00e9serve, Saint-\u00c9milion Grand Cru 2009
\nThe 2009 vintage is produced from ripe and healthy grapes that come from vines over 50 years old and planted on some of the best plots of land. This attractive wine is very perfumed, full bodied, complex and well structured with a long finish. It is a brilliant Saint-\u00c9milion which is comparable to wines from the great terroirs on the Saint-\u00c9milion plateau.