Alaska Airlines Wines - Drinkable or Unthinkable?
Jul 19, 2019, 8:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: sometimes, strangely, I find myself at home
Programs: I need to do better in managing my affiliations. Oops, I overshot the runway for status next year.
Posts: 651
Alaska Airlines Wines - Drinkable or Unthinkable?
Do you like the wines? Mentions of new wine in the Lounge Membership Fee thread reminded me.
The white wine on board this week was, for my tastes, undrinkable. I will not think to order it again.
My travelling partner who was seated in another row, mentioned the same distaste for the white wine. We both couldn't drink it.
I've never thought myself to be very picky about wine. My palate must be more of a pallet. And I understand that people have different tastes.
However and for me, that water at the seat for a PDB is looking better and better.
The white wine on board this week was, for my tastes, undrinkable. I will not think to order it again.
My travelling partner who was seated in another row, mentioned the same distaste for the white wine. We both couldn't drink it.
I've never thought myself to be very picky about wine. My palate must be more of a pallet. And I understand that people have different tastes.
However and for me, that water at the seat for a PDB is looking better and better.
Jul 19, 2019, 8:56 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
I agree. Our last flight, the wines were pretty bad. Sparkling wine out of a can has strange acidic taste. The white was horrible. I just have the sense that AS keeps cutting costs across all flight offerings. Flying First is just not as enjoyable as it was a couple of years .
Jul 19, 2019, 10:45 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SFO, mostly
Posts: 2,204
I agree. Our last flight, the wines were pretty bad. Sparkling wine out of a can has strange acidic taste. The white was horrible. I just have the sense that AS keeps cutting costs across all flight offerings. Flying First is just not as enjoyable as it was a couple of years .
Jul 19, 2019, 11:39 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/MCI/SAN
Programs: AA CK MM, AC SE100K, BA Gold, UA 1K, DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,989
It seems to be hit or miss.
Sometime last year, I was traveling with someone who had once lived in Walla Walla, and he was very impressed to find a couple of local wines from there being poured in F. On the other hand, sometimes it's just the usual basic airline swill... it seems it used to be more of a guarantee to get local PNW wines on AS, but I've noticed all sorts lately, including the previously referenced canned wine (interestingly, the same brand is also now in stock at my local grocery store).
Sometime last year, I was traveling with someone who had once lived in Walla Walla, and he was very impressed to find a couple of local wines from there being poured in F. On the other hand, sometimes it's just the usual basic airline swill... it seems it used to be more of a guarantee to get local PNW wines on AS, but I've noticed all sorts lately, including the previously referenced canned wine (interestingly, the same brand is also now in stock at my local grocery store).
Jul 20, 2019, 2:59 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AS, AA, BA, SQ
Posts: 164
The Pinot Noir on the spring rotation was very good. The canned sparkling wine isn’t exactly first class in the air, but on the ground it is my go to for beach trips. Now only if they could serve Chandon or Roederer Estate in F. Decent sparkling wines made on the west coast backed by well known French Champagne houses. Seems like a good blend of west coast sourcing and brand recognition.
Jul 20, 2019, 7:24 am
#8
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,361
The Pinot Noir on the spring rotation was very good. The canned sparkling wine isn’t exactly first class in the air, but on the ground it is my go to for beach trips. Now only if they could serve Chandon or Roederer Estate in F. Decent sparkling wines made on the west coast backed by well known French Champagne houses. Seems like a good blend of west coast sourcing and brand recognition.
If I recall correctly, the current white in F is a Chardonnay and it’s bold and a bit unique. Chardonnay tends to be a love it or hate it varietal and AS missed the mark with those one.
Jul 20, 2019, 7:46 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
Jul 20, 2019, 10:02 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Seattle, WA & Red Lodge, MT (USA) and Cumbria, England
Programs: AA Platinum for Life, AS MVP Gold 100K, Marriott Titanium for Life, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 186
The Q2 white offering in F was awful -- a chardonnay from California from Rued Winery. I was happy to see the Q3 options on my flight yesterday, and the white was much nicer.
I don't mind the sparkling House Wine in a can. I've had much worse sparkling out of bottles.
I don't mind the sparkling House Wine in a can. I've had much worse sparkling out of bottles.
Last edited by Red L; Jul 20, 2019 at 10:32 am
Jul 20, 2019, 10:13 am
#12
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Alaska Wines. Drinkable or Unthinkable?
I would have thought that the weather's a bit cold for a vineyard to flourish. Perhaps a few locations further south have a BC-like climate where a west-facing slope gets sun and an early frost gives nice ice wine.
Jul 20, 2019, 10:29 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
Currently on AS site, under First Class Food and Drink. Oregon winery offerings..Sokol Blosser Evolution Lucky #9 White and Sokol Blosser Big Time Red. One item on page that jumps out. Premium Spirits has price attached - $7.50 -followed by description of those available. Beers available with no price attached. AS can't possible be considering charging F passengers for cocktails or premium spirits consumed onboard.?
Jul 20, 2019, 11:46 am
#14
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,361
Currently on AS site, under First Class Food and Drink. Oregon winery offerings..Sokol Blosser Evolution Lucky #9 White and Sokol Blosser Big Time Red. One item on page that jumps out. Premium Spirits has price attached - $7.50 -followed by description of those available. Beers available with no price attached. AS can't possible be considering charging F passengers for cocktails or premium spirits consumed onboard.?
There is is no charge for any beverage in F. The prices are for Y.
Jul 20, 2019, 12:11 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: sometimes, strangely, I find myself at home
Programs: I need to do better in managing my affiliations. Oops, I overshot the runway for status next year.
Posts: 651
I ask because that is NOT what pcoll mentioned and is listed here: https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...food-and-drink emphasis on /first-class/food-and-drink.