The Auswine Forum

A recent post on TWF on airport wine reminded me of this classic tale of indulgence, which should raise a smile for many of us. I'm sure we're all aware but if not, F is First Class and SQ is Singapore Airlines.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1074418-8-bottles-dom-lax-bkk-sq-f.html

And I'm reminded of a classic quote that came from Dave Vino a few years back "I think I've had enough Dom."

Mrs Conformist recently flew business to UK and the wines were pretty mundane. She needs a better job so she can fly first is seems.

conformistpete wrote:Mrs Conformist recently flew business to UK and the wines were pretty mundane. She needs a better job so she can fly first is seems.

Also depends what airline...

My company uses BA for the majority of flights, and believe me, BA first is nothing like this...

Was Qantas.
Seppelt Jaluka Chardonnay as an example. Serviceable but I wouldn't write home.

Yeah it's a big topic on the FlyerTalk forums, what Champagne is served in First Class on what airlines. BA certainly not rated highly it seems.... can't recall what they serve in F?

JAL - Salon or Heidsieck Blanc de M (nice)
SQ - Dom or Krug (oh if one must)
Emirates - Dom
Lufthansa - L-P Grand Siecle
Garuda - L-P Cuvee Rose or Billecart Nicolas-Francois
etc...

TiggerK wrote:Yeah it's a big topic on the FlyerTalk forums, what Champagne is served in First Class on what airlines. BA certainly not rated highly it seems.... can't recall what they serve in F?

Has been Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle and something less exciting

Great to see service before safety with SQ

JamieBahrain wrote:Great to see service before safety with SQ

Thanks Captain. But if I was refused an extra glass of Champers in F for 'safety reasons' (assuming I was composed and coherent), not sure how happy I'd be, but of course would have to comply. If you're up the front your chances are slimmer anyway, so might as well try to go out with a nice Dommy glow.

"Nature puts the good things in, so you wear the Dom-io grin" --
David Vino Advertising - (Do you think I should go with 2 i's in my name? I will try and grow a pony tail.)

sjw_11 wrote:

TiggerK wrote:Yeah it's a big topic on the FlyerTalk forums, what Champagne is served in First Class on what airlines. BA certainly not rated highly it seems.... can't recall what they serve in F?

Has been Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle and something less exciting

They have been serving this for some years now

I flew SQ First (points) in April, and the flight attendant was obsessed with ensuring I had full glasses of Krug and DP side by side the whole way (not complaining). And like Dave, I had to ask them to stop...

At Changi Private Room they served 1995 Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires, which was the pick of the 3.

TiggerK wrote:

JamieBahrain wrote:Great to see service before safety with SQ

Thanks Captain. But if I was refused an extra glass of Champers in F for 'safety reasons' (assuming I was composed and coherent), not sure how happy I'd be, but of course would have to comply. If you're up the front your chances are slimmer anyway, so might as well try to go out with a nice Dommy glow.

Nah, help yourself to a bottle or two, none of my business. But eight bottles is appalling in the era of air rage and the fog of war with airborne security- and I'm sure when that SQ jet was burning up on the tarmac last year without being evacuated, the cabin crew were still presenting neat little verticals of Dom.

JamieBahrain wrote:

TiggerK wrote:

JamieBahrain wrote:Great to see service before safety with SQ

Thanks Captain. But if I was refused an extra glass of Champers in F for 'safety reasons' (assuming I was composed and coherent), not sure how happy I'd be, but of course would have to comply. If you're up the front your chances are slimmer anyway, so might as well try to go out with a nice Dommy glow.

Nah, help yourself to a bottle or two, none of my business. But eight bottles is appalling in the era of air rage and the fog of war with airborne security- and I'm sure when that SQ jet was burning up on the tarmac last year without being evacuated, the cabin crew were still presenting neat little verticals of Dom.

Air rage in first class? Seriously? If I had a concern (which, flying more than 50 flight segments a year, I clearly don't) I would be much more concerned about excessive flying hours for flight crews and a lack of the ability for Pilots to take effective manual control in an era where the computer does most of the work right up until it doesn't than I would be about excessive consumption of Dom by an F class passenger.

(who, by the way, passed through multiple segments with different cabin crew treating him as a new arrival.. I am assuming he remained "composed" not "tired and emotional" to receive this treatment.. PS I think you can take it as read he is exaggerating for effect)

I have never had the privilege of SQ first class but I have flown them many times in business and economy and they are a fantastic service provider.

Valid points and I smell a lot of bullshit in the post even for the likes of SQ. I know of one incident where a few too many drinks had a business class pax grab the ass of a cabin crew. I think he ended up on a straw mat in Changi and 5 strokes of the cane so it does surprise the cabin crew would have this mindset- then again it's SQ. I wouldn't exclude First by any means from unruly and disruptive behaviour after excessive drinking. Especially in Asia with a VVIP mindset.

8 bottles of champers and many folks would be nicely primed for any manner of scenarios with the effects of altitude and unknown medications (the air travellers favourite stillnox would bring the party to life here ).

Many airlines require a responsible service of alcohol policy and training. Would 8 bottles fit the protocol? Whose fault would it be if something goes wrong? Social media would be rather spectacular showing a dozen demure SQ cabin attendants hanging off an unruly behemoth trying to cuff him if he became seriously disruptive. That's what makes the report really odd. If something does go wrong, the liability is back on the airline?

JamieBahrain wrote:8 bottles of champers and many folks would be nicely primed for any manner of scenarios with the effects of altitude and unknown medications (the air travellers favourite stillnox would bring the party to life here ).

Grant Hackett says hi

I was quite impressed with the wine list on Qatar in business. Some more 2002 Pommery Louise sir? Don't mind if I do!

daver6 wrote:I was quite impressed with the wine list on Qatar in business. Some more 2002 Pommery Louise sir? Don't mind if I do!

Nice wine for business class! I didn't rate it at release, but recently went through a 6 pack and thought it was really good. Loved the lemony acidity

fun story, but it is almost complete BS.
given he "worked" 80-100 hours a week for three months, he couldn't be an alcoholic, and therefore would have passed out after about the second or maybe third bottle.

best FC wine for me is, by an absolute mile, Emirates (although that is from Asia to Dubai or Dubai to Europe, the to and from Australia flights don't have quite as good wine lists)
a flight from Dubai to Paris in February had:
Dom Perignon 1998 P2
Etienne Sauzet Combottes 2010
Chave Hermitage 2003
Cos d'Estournel 1986
d'Yquem 2005
amongst other goodies. Nobody else comes close to that stuff

I read that post awhile back, and I find it hard to believe the OP consumed so many bottles.

"The flight crew filled up my glass with Dom and INSISTED that I keep it during takeoff. I obliged."

In my SQ F experience, the crew will never, ever let you keep your glass during take off. They are very apologetic, but always clear glasses from the cabin (and then come by with a fresh pour after seat belt sign is switched off).

Interesting post, though

Here's my (not quite so entertaining) recent SQ F review, if anyone is interested: https://thechampagnemile.com.au/first-c ... 777-300er/

And FelixP21, you left out the Hennessy Paradis that is served on EK. That has to be hands down the best drop I've tried in the skies

My work partner flew FC with Emirates return Syd-Heathrow a few months ago, here's a few of the wines on offer:

Cos d'Estournel 2004
Astralis 2004
Mount Mary Pinot 2011
Clos du Marquis 2006
DP 2006
Cloudy Bay Te Wahi Pinot 2013
Condrieu les Cassiners, Paul Jaboulet Aine 2014
Pierro Chardonnay 2013
Levantine Hill Sauv Blanc, Semillon 2015
Chateau De Santenay, Saint Aubin 'En Vesvau' 2014
Chateau Guiraud 1998
Graham's Single Vintage Tawny Port 1972
Hermitage le Chevalier de Sterimberg 2013
Nicolas Potel Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot 2013
Chateau de Rully Clos de Bressande 2014
Le Petite Mouton 2005
Louis Jadot Chapelle chambertin Grand Cru 2007
Paul Jaboulet la Chapelle 1997
Clos du Marquis 2008
Marques de Murrieta Gran Reserva 2009 Finca Ygay
and Hennessy Paradis.

He said that after trying a few of the wines, one of the cabin crew said to him "You like alcohol? We have lots for you to try!".

Cheers,

Travis