Yardley, Pa. (PRWEB) August 01, 2012
Global Traveler, the only ABC-audited magazine for business and luxury travelers, is releasing the results of its eighth annual Wines on the Wing Airline Wine Competition.
The contest was held May 16 at SD26 in New York City. Twenty-eight expert judges participated in the blind tasting of airlines’ white, red and sparkling wines. The judges hailed from a wide range of specialties, including sommeliers, wine shop owners and winemakers. In total, 29 airlines participated, providing 134 samples for tasting.
Airlines are required to submit five different wines — two red wines, two white wines and one sparkling wine/Champagne — to be eligible for the Best Overall International Business Class Wines on the Wing award or the Best Overall International First Class Wines on the Wing. This year, the overall winners were Brussels Airlines and British Airways, respectively.
In the white wine category, Best International Business Class White Wine was Driehoek Sauvignon Blanc 2011, South Africa, submitted by South African Airways. For first class, the winner was Asiana Airlines, with Roux Clos des Poruzots Mersault 2009, Burgundy, France.
The best business-class Champagne was Hainan Airlines’ G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge, NV. The best first-class Champagne was Asiana Airlines’ Pol Roger 1999.
When it came to red wine, British Airways reigned supreme in the business-class category. The airline’s Domaine Font de Michelle Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 was the favored choice. For first-class red wines, the judges also favored British Airways, selecting its Newton Johnson Family Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010, South Africa, tops.
For the fourth consecutive year, Global Traveler awarded the Best North American Wines on the Wing. North American airlines submitted first-class wine samples. (In instances where first class was not applicable, samples from domestic business class were accepted.)
For the third year in a row, American Airlines dominated the category, taking top honors in Best North American Wines on the Wing, Best North American Sparkling Wine (Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut, NV) and Best North American Red Wine (181 Merlot 2008, California).
When it came to white wines, United was the cream of the crop. The airline’s Canyon Road Chardonnay 2010, California, was the finest domestic white on offer.
For the third year, Global Traveler awarded the Best Alliance Wines on the Wing. The participating airlines were divided by their airline alliance. The overall points for each airline were tallied and averaged to determine the alliance with the highest total. Congratulations to the oneworld alliance and its participating airlines, airberlin, American Airlines, British Airways and Finnair.
Competition director Eunice Fried spent months preparing for the blind tasting. Fried, an accomplished wine journalist and respected wine expert, resides in New York City.
Global Traveler is the only U.S.-based publication to conduct such a survey in the United States.
“We are incredibly proud of our wine survey,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, Global Traveler. “A big congratulations to all the winners. The survey continues to grow year after year. Our readers value this information, and we are proud to be the only U.S.-based publication conducting our own survey and providing this valuable information.”
The top airlines in each category are:
BEST INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CLASS WINES ON THE WING
1. Brussels Airlines
2. South African Airways
3. American Airlines
4. TAM
5. British Airways
BEST INTERNATIONAL FIRST CLASS WINES ON THE WING
1. British Airways
2. American Airlines
3. United
4. Swiss International Air Lines
5. TAM
BEST CHAMPAGNE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CLASS
1. Hainan Airlines
2. Air Tahiti Nui
3. Brussels Airlines
4. American Airlines
5. TAM
BEST CHAMPAGNE INTERNATIONAL FIRST CLASS
1. Asiana Airlines
2. American Airlines
3. TAM
4. Hainan Airlines
5. British Airways
BEST WHITE WINE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CLASS
1. South African Airways
2. Asiana Airlines
3. Brussels Airlines
4. Air Tahiti Nui
5. American Airlines
BEST WHITE WINE INTERNATIONAL FIRST CLASS
1. Asiana Airlines
2. American Airlines
3. British Airways
4. British Airways
5. Swiss International Air Lines
BEST RED WINE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CLASS
1. British Airways
2. South African Airways
3. TAM
4. Brussels Airlines
5. Brussels Airlines
BEST RED WINE INTERNATIONAL FIRST CLASS
1. British Airways
2. British Airways
3. United
4. EL AL Israel Airlines
5. EL AL Israel Airlines and American Airlines (TIE)
For more information on the competition, check out the August 2012 issue of Global Traveler or visit http://www.globaltravelerusa.com.
About Global Traveler/FXExpress Publications, Inc.
Global Traveler, the only ABC-audited U.S.-based magazine for the international business traveler, is a business travel and lifestyle publication with an ABC-audited paid circulation of 107,140+. FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler, eFlyer, eFlyer Asia and several annuals; and also operating globaltravelerusa.com, globaltravellerasia.com and blog.globaltravelerusa.com.