(TAN): Air New Zealand is set to host an exclusive event to select the finest wines from New Zealand wineries for their Business Premier cabins and Tier One Lounges. Over 125 wineries have been invited to participate in the blind taste testing, where more than 500 wines will be assessed by a panel of esteemed wine connoisseurs, the airline said.
The airline’s chief customer and sales officer, Leanne Geraghty, expressed excitement about the challenge of narrowing down the selection to create an impressive array of wines that showcase New Zealand’s fantastic wine industry. “The challenge will be to whittle down the more than 500 wines to a small selection to feature onboard Air New Zealand’s premium cabins and lounges,” Geraghty said.
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The rigorous blind taste testing will be conducted by wine experts, who will carefully sip, swirl, and savour wines from vineyards across the country. The goal is to curate a dazzling collection that represents the unique personality of each varietal and region. This selection process is a celebration of New Zealand’s diverse and exceptional winemaking, reflecting Air New Zealand’s commitment to serving and sharing the best of the nation’s wine onboard.
The chosen wines will be a part of the airline’s premium cabins and lounges, enhancing the flying experience for customers travelling to destinations like New York, Tokyo, and Shanghai. The Master of Wine and Wine Consultant overseeing the curation ensure that the selection captures the essence of New Zealand’s diverse wine regions.
For the current 2023 offering, the selection panel curated 56 wines spanning eight varietals, including Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Each wine demonstrates exceptional quality, consistency, and distinctiveness, representing the excellence synonymous with New Zealand wine.
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Air New Zealand takes pride in supporting the local wine industry, showcasing the best of New Zealand’s wines onboard, and promoting the country’s world-class wines on its flights. The airline serves approximately 62,000 liters of Sauvignon Blanc, 53,000 liters of Chardonnay, and 59,000 liters of Pinot Noir each year, all of which are sourced from New Zealand’s vineyards.
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