Most expensive wine served by AC in J
Aug 20, 2019, 6:29 pm
#1
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Most expensive wine served by AC in J
Just curious what the most expensive bottle of wine is that someone's come across in AC J, aside from champagnes. Based on a quick look, it seems as though the bottles range from about $15 - $20.
I should also add, I don't know why they wouldn't offer more interesting beers beyond the Coors/Canadian/Heineken served in Y, with craft beer being as popular as it is. It would be neat to be able to do a beer flight on a flight.
I should also add, I don't know why they wouldn't offer more interesting beers beyond the Coors/Canadian/Heineken served in Y, with craft beer being as popular as it is. It would be neat to be able to do a beer flight on a flight.
Aug 20, 2019, 9:11 pm
#2
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Without exception, I have yet to see a single decent wine served on any AC flight. The majority of the plonk they offer up is right out of the bargain bin.
That said, it's not much different for any other airline of comparable (read "low") quality.
That said, it's not much different for any other airline of comparable (read "low") quality.
Aug 20, 2019, 9:42 pm
#3
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Just curious what the most expensive bottle of wine is that someone's come across in AC J, aside from champagnes. Based on a quick look, it seems as though the bottles range from about $15 - $20.
I should also add, I don't know why they wouldn't offer more interesting beers beyond the Coors/Canadian/Heineken served in Y, with craft beer being as popular as it is. It would be neat to be able to do a beer flight on a flight.
I should also add, I don't know why they wouldn't offer more interesting beers beyond the Coors/Canadian/Heineken served in Y, with craft beer being as popular as it is. It would be neat to be able to do a beer flight on a flight.
Aug 20, 2019, 9:48 pm
#4
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I did look at prices of some of their wines in the past. I seem to recall a price range from around CAD 15 to about CAD 25. But yes, usually we go for the champagne...
Aug 20, 2019, 10:38 pm
#6
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You posted info in this thread in Sept 2018:
Why Air Canada wine is globally sourced
Sorry but credibility ends with that last statement.
I have never seen a $15 bottle that should blow anyone's mind, whether here or there or on the moon. Maybe in Spain and some local places in Italy there are some that are drinkable but that's it.
On Canadian wines: typically they are too pricey for what they are. OTOH some places (such as Fairmont) may have some arrangements and be able to secure pricing that changes the picture. Both or kids wedding dinners were at the Palliser in Calgary, and having looked (and tasted) we ended up finding the best priced wines were Canadian. I would expect AC to be able to secure a similar deal. So I think what Andrew says must make sense.
I still wish for a somewhat higher wine budget... Until them we mostly go for the champagne.
I have never seen a $15 bottle that should blow anyone's mind, whether here or there or on the moon. Maybe in Spain and some local places in Italy there are some that are drinkable but that's it.
On Canadian wines: typically they are too pricey for what they are. OTOH some places (such as Fairmont) may have some arrangements and be able to secure pricing that changes the picture. Both or kids wedding dinners were at the Palliser in Calgary, and having looked (and tasted) we ended up finding the best priced wines were Canadian. I would expect AC to be able to secure a similar deal. So I think what Andrew says must make sense.
I still wish for a somewhat higher wine budget... Until them we mostly go for the champagne.
In searching for AC FT wine threads, I found this thread which had me laughing as the topic and comments were the same in 2005
"I know I can't be the only one disgusted with the current offering of wines in the J cabin, That Chatea du crap merlot is horrible."
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-canada-aeroplan/402472-air-canada-red-wines-....html
And you wrote
Ah, the AC plonk, my pet topic.
See, obviously we Canadians are cheap and we have no clue about wines, so why would they spend money on this? Actually, I suspect the bean counters in charge of selecting wines really have no clue and can't taste the difference...
As to these three chefs who supposedly endorse the crappy list, what can I say? Just plain corrupt, or incompetent? I certainly won't patronize their places.
I suspect they pay less than CAD 10/bottle. At most 12/13. Real crappy.
Just go for champagne. Although they have downgraded it too a few months back, from Pieper-Heidsick to some unknown stuff, it's still somewhat better than theirt wines.
See, obviously we Canadians are cheap and we have no clue about wines, so why would they spend money on this? Actually, I suspect the bean counters in charge of selecting wines really have no clue and can't taste the difference...
As to these three chefs who supposedly endorse the crappy list, what can I say? Just plain corrupt, or incompetent? I certainly won't patronize their places.
I suspect they pay less than CAD 10/bottle. At most 12/13. Real crappy.
Just go for champagne. Although they have downgraded it too a few months back, from Pieper-Heidsick to some unknown stuff, it's still somewhat better than theirt wines.
Also found this one
Wine on AC Flights
Aug 20, 2019, 10:53 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2010
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As for my impressions of the Air Canada wines - I actually think that recently, there has been an improvement in the overall selection and quality. The wine team has done a pretty good job at finding wines for a range of tastes and food pairings at a cost which is reasonable. AC can't afford to be spending $30/bottle when nobody is really going to notice. On the other hand - the Champagne is where the cost has gone - and overall - it's not a bad choice either now (and a small upgrade from the Drappier).
Last edited by tcook052; Aug 21, 2019 at 4:03 am Reason: Off topic posting
Aug 20, 2019, 11:41 pm
#8
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As for my impressions of the Air Canada wines - I actually think that recently, there has been an improvement in the overall selection and quality. The wine team has done a pretty good job at finding wines for a range of tastes and food pairings at a cost which is reasonable. AC can't afford to be spending $30/bottle when nobody is really going to notice. On the other hand - the Champagne is where the cost has gone - and overall - it's not a bad choice either now (and a small upgrade from the Drappier).
Last edited by tcook052; Aug 21, 2019 at 4:04 am Reason: Off topic posting
Aug 21, 2019, 1:30 am
#9
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Just curious what the most expensive bottle of wine is that someone's come across in AC J, aside from champagnes. Based on a quick look, it seems as though the bottles range from about $15 - $20.
I should also add, I don't know why they wouldn't offer more interesting beers beyond the Coors/Canadian/Heineken served in Y, with craft beer being as popular as it is. It would be neat to be able to do a beer flight on a flight.
I should also add, I don't know why they wouldn't offer more interesting beers beyond the Coors/Canadian/Heineken served in Y, with craft beer being as popular as it is. It would be neat to be able to do a beer flight on a flight.
In the gallon jugs?
Aug 21, 2019, 6:55 am
#10
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Actually at least some flights do offer craft (or craft-ish - more interesting beers, even if ultimately owned by the majors) in Y. But no, not available in J. It does seem strange to me that Y (often) has better beers than J. And mildly annoying.
Aug 21, 2019, 5:36 pm
#11
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$7K for a TATL flight - you'd like to see them put some thought into it.
Aug 21, 2019, 5:54 pm
#12
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Not so much some thought (I think the sommelier is rather thoughtful), but some cash. Indeed the wine quality is embarrassing. Admittedly some will say serving more expensive wines would be serving pearls to pigs. But then the same would hold when I serve wine to gusts at home. Yet I won't serve wine that I don't drink myself, even knowing that my standards are very likely higher. At the end of the day, a matter of face. In a sense AC is losing us Canadians face with travellers who know better. For the sake of a few pennies. OTOH in the Signature Lounge, wines are quite decent. So my guess is they still reason as if the J cabin is filled with bottom feeders on upgrades... (Still a bottom feeder myself, and proud of it. But most of the time no longer on upgrades, just cheap P.)
Aug 21, 2019, 6:22 pm
#13
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Not so much some thought (I think the sommelier is rather thoughtful), but some cash. Indeed the wine quality is embarrassing. Admittedly some will say serving more expensive wines would be serving pearls to pigs. But then the same would hold when I serve wine to gusts at home. Yet I won't serve wine that I don't drink myself, even knowing that my standards are very likely higher. At the end of the day, a matter of face.
It's not about cost to me, it's about taste (which is obviously very personal). I've had VERY good $15 bottles from Safeway. I've had very bad $80 bottles from a winery.
But I agree in principle. You want better wine, I want some rum alternatives
The fact that North American Y has more options for beer and liquor than both NA J and international Y/J is ludicrous.
In a sense AC is losing us Canadians face with travellers who know better. For the sake of a few pennies. OTOH in the Signature Lounge, wines are quite decent. So my guess is they still reason as if the J cabin is filled with bottom feeders on upgrades... (Still a bottom feeder myself, and proud of it. But most of the time no longer on upgrades, just cheap P.)
Aug 21, 2019, 10:06 pm
#15
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I've said my piece before about the wine so won't continue that whine. So to speak.
But I agree with @PB53x11 and @canadiancow that the 'premium' beer not being available to J pax (for free) makes zero sense.
But I agree with @PB53x11 and @canadiancow that the 'premium' beer not being available to J pax (for free) makes zero sense.
