Wine Tasting on Flights Affected by Humidity and Pressure; National Carrier’s Wine Selection Gains International Recognition

Reporter You Ru / Reported from Taipei

Taiwan’s domestic airlines have received international recognition for their taste. A national


▲China Airlines' in-flight wines receive accolades. (Photo / Provided by China Airlines)

The renowned American magazine Global Traveler holds an annual professional competition for in-flight wines. This year’s 9th edition saw participation from 34 airlines worldwide, featuring 162 wine varieties including red, white, and sparkling wines. A panel of 25 expert judges—comprising professional sommeliers, wine merchants, and winemakers—evaluated the wines blindly based on clarity, color, aroma, acidity, sweetness, body structure, flavor profile, bitterness, astringency, and overall quality. The award winners were announced in August.

Due to differences in cabin pressure and humidity, selecting wines for in-flight service and pairing them with meals involves more complex considerations than on the ground. China Airlines has established a “Wine Selection Team,” inviting external professionals and licensed sommeliers within the company to choose wines that are stable, most suitable for in-flight consumption, and pair well with meals using professional evaluation methods. China Airlines flight attendants also undergo comprehensive training in wine knowledge and service skills.

For first class, China Airlines’ champagne selection—the 2000 Champagne Pol Roger from France—was ranked 2nd for Best First Class Champagne; the red wine, the 1997 Château Langoa-Barton from Saint-Julien, France, was awarded 4th place for Best First Class Red Wine; and the white wine, the 2009 Mosel Valley Riesling from Germany, secured 5th place for Best First Class White Wine. The overall ranking for first class wines placed 4th. Passengers flying on routes such as Los Angeles, San Francisco in the western U.S., and Beijing and Shanghai in mainland China can enjoy these award-winning wines.

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