Five star airline: How 'bout that wine?
Apr 16, 2015, 8:04 pm
#1
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,302
Five star airline: How 'bout that wine?
I discovered this little nugget last weekend after flying YYZ-CPH-YYZ.
YYZ-CPH dinner service, everyone had a glass of wine. Then everyone went to sleep, and no more wine was consumed.
10ish hours later on CPH-YYZ, the drink cart comes around, and I ask if they have the Spanish Temp. The SD said not since April 1, but he had a couple red wines I could try. He brought out a bottle that was half finished. I was in row 1. No one else had been served a drink yet.
A conversation ensued, where I learned that they're being told to reseal the bottles and keep them for the next flight, to save money.
Are they serious?
The SD did not seem to like the practice either, and he opened a fresh bottle for me. The wine still sucked.
Note to self: I'm buying one of these for my travel bag: http://www.amazon.com/Vinara-V070613.../dp/B00DT76RM6
--------------------------------------------------
We then began discussing AC wines in general, where I mentioned the only two they've had in about 3 years that I've enjoyed where the Temp and the Picens. He said I was the first person who he'd ever had complain about AC's wine. He said most customers say something like, "This is pretty good for airline wine!"
He also mentioned one $45 wine they used to have. I told him the best wine I've ever had can be purchased for $15/bottle at Safeway. He was very surprised.
When the conversation ended, he said he liked "no BS" (full word, not "Ben Smith") customers like myself.
I liked this SD.
YYZ-CPH dinner service, everyone had a glass of wine. Then everyone went to sleep, and no more wine was consumed.
10ish hours later on CPH-YYZ, the drink cart comes around, and I ask if they have the Spanish Temp. The SD said not since April 1, but he had a couple red wines I could try. He brought out a bottle that was half finished. I was in row 1. No one else had been served a drink yet.
A conversation ensued, where I learned that they're being told to reseal the bottles and keep them for the next flight, to save money.
Are they serious?
The SD did not seem to like the practice either, and he opened a fresh bottle for me. The wine still sucked.
Note to self: I'm buying one of these for my travel bag: http://www.amazon.com/Vinara-V070613.../dp/B00DT76RM6
--------------------------------------------------
We then began discussing AC wines in general, where I mentioned the only two they've had in about 3 years that I've enjoyed where the Temp and the Picens. He said I was the first person who he'd ever had complain about AC's wine. He said most customers say something like, "This is pretty good for airline wine!"
He also mentioned one $45 wine they used to have. I told him the best wine I've ever had can be purchased for $15/bottle at Safeway. He was very surprised.
When the conversation ended, he said he liked "no BS" (full word, not "Ben Smith") customers like myself.
I liked this SD.
Apr 16, 2015, 8:14 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50k, A3*G, UA*S, MR Titanium, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 3,669
Apr 16, 2015, 8:15 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
I discovered this little nugget last weekend after flying YYZ-CPH-YYZ.
YYZ-CPH dinner service, everyone had a glass of wine. Then everyone went to sleep, and no more wine was consumed.
10ish hours later on CPH-YYZ, the drink cart comes around, and I ask if they have the Spanish Temp. The SD said not since April 1, but he had a couple red wines I could try. He brought out a bottle that was half finished. I was in row 1. No one else had been served a drink yet.
A conversation ensued, where I learned that they're being told to reseal the bottles and keep them for the next flight, to save money.
Are they serious?
The SD did not seem to like the practice either, and he opened a fresh bottle for me. The wine still sucked.
Note to self: I'm buying one of these for my travel bag: http://www.amazon.com/Vinara-V070613.../dp/B00DT76RM6
--------------------------------------------------
We then began discussing AC wines in general, where I mentioned the only two they've had in about 3 years that I've enjoyed where the Temp and the Picens. He said I was the first person who he'd ever had complain about AC's wine. He said most customers say something like, "This is pretty good for airline wine!"
He also mentioned one $45 wine they used to have. I told him the best wine I've ever had can be purchased for $15/bottle at Safeway. He was very surprised.
When the conversation ended, he said he liked "no BS" (full word, not "Ben Smith") customers like myself.
I liked this SD.
YYZ-CPH dinner service, everyone had a glass of wine. Then everyone went to sleep, and no more wine was consumed.
10ish hours later on CPH-YYZ, the drink cart comes around, and I ask if they have the Spanish Temp. The SD said not since April 1, but he had a couple red wines I could try. He brought out a bottle that was half finished. I was in row 1. No one else had been served a drink yet.
A conversation ensued, where I learned that they're being told to reseal the bottles and keep them for the next flight, to save money.
Are they serious?
The SD did not seem to like the practice either, and he opened a fresh bottle for me. The wine still sucked.
Note to self: I'm buying one of these for my travel bag: http://www.amazon.com/Vinara-V070613.../dp/B00DT76RM6
--------------------------------------------------
We then began discussing AC wines in general, where I mentioned the only two they've had in about 3 years that I've enjoyed where the Temp and the Picens. He said I was the first person who he'd ever had complain about AC's wine. He said most customers say something like, "This is pretty good for airline wine!"
He also mentioned one $45 wine they used to have. I told him the best wine I've ever had can be purchased for $15/bottle at Safeway. He was very surprised.
When the conversation ended, he said he liked "no BS" (full word, not "Ben Smith") customers like myself.
I liked this SD.
At you wont need an aerator if the bottle has been opened that long
Apr 16, 2015, 8:18 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,302
Apr 16, 2015, 8:27 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
I've certainly made a few non-complimentary comments about AC's wine offering in the past, but this doesn't seem particularly news-worthy. Re-sealing a cheap bottle of wine shouldn't have much of an impact on the quality of the wine.
IMO AC's wines are somewhat better than those offered by its NA competitors (there are usually 1-2 drinkable options IMO), but nothing to get excited about.
FWIW, I think the current NZ Sauvignon Blanc is ok and the Malbec they previously offered was decent. But I can't remember a wine where I though "this is really good, I need to buy a bottle of that when I get home".
IMO AC's wines are somewhat better than those offered by its NA competitors (there are usually 1-2 drinkable options IMO), but nothing to get excited about.
FWIW, I think the current NZ Sauvignon Blanc is ok and the Malbec they previously offered was decent. But I can't remember a wine where I though "this is really good, I need to buy a bottle of that when I get home".
Apr 16, 2015, 8:29 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
How many bottles do they go through?
If I'm on the plane with Sparseflyerette, I know she will polish one off by herself.
If I was the SD, I would open a new bottle for the first service, and then "recycle" the rest for the second serve etc.
Still a lot less worse than what goes on in restaurants...
If I'm on the plane with Sparseflyerette, I know she will polish one off by herself.
If I was the SD, I would open a new bottle for the first service, and then "recycle" the rest for the second serve etc.
Still a lot less worse than what goes on in restaurants...
Apr 16, 2015, 8:41 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
I'm thinking that glass of Chateau Air Canada might taste better if served in these....just sayin....
EDIT: Adjusting for size...I forgot they use smaller glasses
EDIT: Adjusting for size...I forgot they use smaller glasses
Last edited by 24left; Apr 16, 2015 at 8:51 pm
Apr 16, 2015, 8:46 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
I discovered this little nugget last weekend after flying YYZ-CPH-YYZ.
YYZ-CPH dinner service, everyone had a glass of wine. Then everyone went to sleep, and no more wine was consumed.
10ish hours later on CPH-YYZ, the drink cart comes around, and I ask if they have the Spanish Temp. The SD said not since April 1, but he had a couple red wines I could try. He brought out a bottle that was half finished. I was in row 1. No one else had been served a drink yet.
A conversation ensued, where I learned that they're being told to reseal the bottles and keep them for the next flight, to save money.
Are they serious?
The SD did not seem to like the practice either, and he opened a fresh bottle for me. The wine still sucked.
Note to self: I'm buying one of these for my travel bag: http://www.amazon.com/Vinara-V070613.../dp/B00DT76RM6
--------------------------------------------------
We then began discussing AC wines in general, where I mentioned the only two they've had in about 3 years that I've enjoyed where the Temp and the Picens. He said I was the first person who he'd ever had complain about AC's wine. He said most customers say something like, "This is pretty good for airline wine!"
He also mentioned one $45 wine they used to have. I told him the best wine I've ever had can be purchased for $15/bottle at Safeway. He was very surprised.
When the conversation ended, he said he liked "no BS" (full word, not "Ben Smith") customers like myself.
I liked this SD.
YYZ-CPH dinner service, everyone had a glass of wine. Then everyone went to sleep, and no more wine was consumed.
10ish hours later on CPH-YYZ, the drink cart comes around, and I ask if they have the Spanish Temp. The SD said not since April 1, but he had a couple red wines I could try. He brought out a bottle that was half finished. I was in row 1. No one else had been served a drink yet.
A conversation ensued, where I learned that they're being told to reseal the bottles and keep them for the next flight, to save money.
Are they serious?
The SD did not seem to like the practice either, and he opened a fresh bottle for me. The wine still sucked.
Note to self: I'm buying one of these for my travel bag: http://www.amazon.com/Vinara-V070613.../dp/B00DT76RM6
--------------------------------------------------
We then began discussing AC wines in general, where I mentioned the only two they've had in about 3 years that I've enjoyed where the Temp and the Picens. He said I was the first person who he'd ever had complain about AC's wine. He said most customers say something like, "This is pretty good for airline wine!"
He also mentioned one $45 wine they used to have. I told him the best wine I've ever had can be purchased for $15/bottle at Safeway. He was very surprised.
When the conversation ended, he said he liked "no BS" (full word, not "Ben Smith") customers like myself.
I liked this SD.
Apr 16, 2015, 8:51 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,093
I discovered this little nugget last weekend after flying YYZ-CPH-YYZ.
YYZ-CPH dinner service, everyone had a glass of wine. Then everyone went to sleep, and no more wine was consumed.
10ish hours later on CPH-YYZ, the drink cart comes around, and I ask if they have the Spanish Temp. The SD said not since April 1, but he had a couple red wines I could try. He brought out a bottle that was half finished. I was in row 1. No one else had been served a drink yet.
A conversation ensued, where I learned that they're being told to reseal the bottles and keep them for the next flight, to save money.
[...]
He also mentioned one $45 wine they used to have. I told him the best wine I've ever had can be purchased for $15/bottle at Safeway. He was very surprised.
When the conversation ended, he said he liked "no BS" (full word, not "Ben Smith") customers like myself.
I liked this SD.
YYZ-CPH dinner service, everyone had a glass of wine. Then everyone went to sleep, and no more wine was consumed.
10ish hours later on CPH-YYZ, the drink cart comes around, and I ask if they have the Spanish Temp. The SD said not since April 1, but he had a couple red wines I could try. He brought out a bottle that was half finished. I was in row 1. No one else had been served a drink yet.
A conversation ensued, where I learned that they're being told to reseal the bottles and keep them for the next flight, to save money.
[...]
He also mentioned one $45 wine they used to have. I told him the best wine I've ever had can be purchased for $15/bottle at Safeway. He was very surprised.
When the conversation ended, he said he liked "no BS" (full word, not "Ben Smith") customers like myself.
I liked this SD.
Just make sure he doesn't ask you what's the price tag.
Or if he did, make sure you hear a "yes, we will definitely have it on your next flight with us" before you tell him: "Don't worry, it's only a little more than $500 / bottle..." Then enjoy watching how the SD dies in front of you, slowly. 
I know it's been a while since I last paid attention to anything AC does but does AC currently advertise itself as a 5* airline?
Last edited by tcook052; Apr 16, 2015 at 8:58 pm
Apr 16, 2015, 8:57 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,302
Apr 16, 2015, 9:28 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: AC75 MM
Posts: 957
What's wrong with keeping half a bottle corked for a few hours?
IMHO it doesn't worsen the taste at all, in fact it might improve with aeration (especially if, as noted above, it needs a bit of 'help')
What would the FT reaction be to a thread "AC is wasting resources and destroying the environment by throwing away perfectly good wine/bottles when only partly open"?
Maybe a compromise would be to give them to SE's on deplaning
IMHO it doesn't worsen the taste at all, in fact it might improve with aeration (especially if, as noted above, it needs a bit of 'help')
What would the FT reaction be to a thread "AC is wasting resources and destroying the environment by throwing away perfectly good wine/bottles when only partly open"?
Maybe a compromise would be to give them to SE's on deplaning
Apr 16, 2015, 9:36 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BKK/SIN/YYZ/YUL
Programs: DL, AC, Bonvoy, Accor, Hilton
Posts: 2,917
Skytrax sold or awarded or whatever it is they do, 4 stars to AC.
I have complained multiple times about the wine, but I know AC doesn't care. A lot of wines on airlines are now coming with the screw off caps. Nothing bad about the practice either. Bad cork is a leading cause of the wine going bad. The man made cork doesn't provide a seal any better than the screw offs, but people want to see a cork.
In any case, haven't some of the wines served on AC been imported by the tank load or in a few cases reconstituted, and bottled in Canada? The SAQ does that with a lot of the lower end wines that retail for under $20 and it is one of the largest wine distributors in Canada. I know that is how those little bottles are done. Thankfully, the Port has not been desecrated in this manner, yet.
I have complained multiple times about the wine, but I know AC doesn't care. A lot of wines on airlines are now coming with the screw off caps. Nothing bad about the practice either. Bad cork is a leading cause of the wine going bad. The man made cork doesn't provide a seal any better than the screw offs, but people want to see a cork.
In any case, haven't some of the wines served on AC been imported by the tank load or in a few cases reconstituted, and bottled in Canada? The SAQ does that with a lot of the lower end wines that retail for under $20 and it is one of the largest wine distributors in Canada. I know that is how those little bottles are done. Thankfully, the Port has not been desecrated in this manner, yet.
Last edited by Transpacificflyer; Apr 16, 2015 at 9:43 pm
Apr 16, 2015, 9:39 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: YEGmonton
Programs: AC SEMM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 213
Yeah, they stocked an excellent Peter Yealands SB last summer.
Apr 16, 2015, 9:48 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AC*Tangerine
Posts: 417
imported by the tank load or in a few cases reconstituted, and bottled in Canada? The SAQ does that with a lot of the lower end wines that retail for under $20 and it is one of the largest wine distributors in Canada. I know that is how those little bottles are done. Thankfully, the Port has not been desecrated in this manner, yet.
Apr 16, 2015, 9:52 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Programs: AC Altitude 50K, BA Blue, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum, DVC, NEXUS
Posts: 52
I'd like to point out that Air Canada does say they're a Skytrax 4-star airline, not a 5-star airline.
Still, if they want to get to 5-star, they have to pick better wines.
Still, if they want to get to 5-star, they have to pick better wines.