Financial Times article on BA wines. FT gets a mention.
Feb 23, 2019, 7:07 am
#61
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Feb 23, 2019, 7:24 am
#62
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All very interesting but it wasn't my point.
What I mean here is my suspicion is many people who come on here complaining about wines don't have similar knowledge to you and wouldn't pay at home for the wines they complain about on board. In fact some of the comments strike me more as 'wine snobbery' rather than a meaningful contribution to the debate.
Feb 23, 2019, 7:35 am
#63
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As someone who can just about tell a Shiraz from a Chardonnay, I must admit the copious fizz served on board during my ‘first First’ last week was very enjoyable.
However, to me (and it is probably sacrilege to say so here) it didn’t taste too far away from the Champagne that Aldi was knocking out at £9.99 per bottle last Christmas.
Perhaps I am not cut out to be a discerning connoisseur of ‘mousse and bubbles’ but I enjoy what I like regardless of the price it costs or where in the world it emanates from.
I am just as happy (or even happier) with a cheap Sauvignon Blanc from the Antipodes rather than something allegedly emanating from a French Castle which tastes of anti-freeze (or what I imagine anti-freeze to taste of) mixed with concentrated grape juice.
I always think there is far too much bull5hit spoken about wine by fancy wine writers and tasters (the woman who used to be on BBC2’s Food and Drink programme once described a rather expensive wine as being like 'bracken on a hot heath’ – to me when I tried it, it just tasted like the stuff I usually bought in Tesco’s).
Each to their own I suppose.
BM
However, to me (and it is probably sacrilege to say so here) it didn’t taste too far away from the Champagne that Aldi was knocking out at £9.99 per bottle last Christmas.
Perhaps I am not cut out to be a discerning connoisseur of ‘mousse and bubbles’ but I enjoy what I like regardless of the price it costs or where in the world it emanates from.
I am just as happy (or even happier) with a cheap Sauvignon Blanc from the Antipodes rather than something allegedly emanating from a French Castle which tastes of anti-freeze (or what I imagine anti-freeze to taste of) mixed with concentrated grape juice.
I always think there is far too much bull5hit spoken about wine by fancy wine writers and tasters (the woman who used to be on BBC2’s Food and Drink programme once described a rather expensive wine as being like 'bracken on a hot heath’ – to me when I tried it, it just tasted like the stuff I usually bought in Tesco’s).
Each to their own I suppose.
BM
Feb 23, 2019, 7:38 am
#64
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There are interesting Vin Mousseux from the South of France which use more interesting grapes than Chardonnay. More flavoursome and cheaper than an equivalent vintage champagne.
Feb 23, 2019, 7:52 am
#66
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Feb 23, 2019, 7:54 am
#67
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Simon, while you can certainly pick up bargain booze and sure it doesn't mean it is bad. True premium cellars/lists of high end restaurants rarely would ever have them (maybe the odd bottle of house wine at the bottom). Would you say then, it is fair for much of the wine list in BA First to be taken up by it?
Feb 23, 2019, 8:04 am
#68
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As someone who can just about tell a Shiraz from a Chardonnay, I must admit the copious fizz served on board during my ‘first First’ last week was very enjoyable.
However, to me (and it is probably sacrilege to say so here) it didn’t taste too far away from the Champagne that Aldi was knocking out at £9.99 per bottle last Christmas.
Perhaps I am not cut out to be a discerning connoisseur of ‘mousse and bubbles’ but I enjoy what I like regardless of the price it costs or where in the world it emanates from.
I am just as happy (or even happier) with a cheap Sauvignon Blanc from the Antipodes rather than something allegedly emanating from a French Castle which tastes of anti-freeze (or what I imagine anti-freeze to taste of) mixed with concentrated grape juice.
I always think there is far too much bull5hit spoken about wine by fancy wine writers and tasters (the woman who used to be on BBC2’s Food and Drink programme once described a rather expensive wine as being like 'bracken on a hot heath’ – to me when I tried it, it just tasted like the stuff I usually bought in Tesco’s).
Each to their own I suppose.
BM
However, to me (and it is probably sacrilege to say so here) it didn’t taste too far away from the Champagne that Aldi was knocking out at £9.99 per bottle last Christmas.
Perhaps I am not cut out to be a discerning connoisseur of ‘mousse and bubbles’ but I enjoy what I like regardless of the price it costs or where in the world it emanates from.
I am just as happy (or even happier) with a cheap Sauvignon Blanc from the Antipodes rather than something allegedly emanating from a French Castle which tastes of anti-freeze (or what I imagine anti-freeze to taste of) mixed with concentrated grape juice.
I always think there is far too much bull5hit spoken about wine by fancy wine writers and tasters (the woman who used to be on BBC2’s Food and Drink programme once described a rather expensive wine as being like 'bracken on a hot heath’ – to me when I tried it, it just tasted like the stuff I usually bought in Tesco’s).
Each to their own I suppose.
BM
That said, there are objectively significant differences between an Aldi £9.99 bottle and LPGS.
No one is born with an excellent palate. It takes time, effort and often money. Plus a helping hand from good genetics. I view it in a similar way to art. I can go into a gallery and just look at what naturally appeals to me, or I can invest time etc in learning more about it and hopefully increasing my understanding and appreciation.
Feb 23, 2019, 8:14 am
#69
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Thanks.^
I saw she was slagging off a bottle of Argentine Malbec because it only cost 400 pesos . A 400 peso bottle is top shelf stuff here. She does seem to be harking back to the 'Golden Age' of Concorde travel when BA weren't exactly financially secure. She might be an expert in wine but that doesn't make her an expert in how to run an airline.
If F passengers desire expensive wine then they'll have to pay for it. I don't see why those sitting further down the back should have to subsidise it.
I saw she was slagging off a bottle of Argentine Malbec because it only cost 400 pesos . A 400 peso bottle is top shelf stuff here. She does seem to be harking back to the 'Golden Age' of Concorde travel when BA weren't exactly financially secure. She might be an expert in wine but that doesn't make her an expert in how to run an airline.
If F passengers desire expensive wine then they'll have to pay for it. I don't see why those sitting further down the back should have to subsidise it.
Feb 23, 2019, 8:46 am
#70
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Feb 23, 2019, 9:16 am
#71
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Whilst your dining in the air may not me a high end restaurant when it is being marketed as fine dining you certainly need the right wine to complement the meal. Would you not take a say a Chateau Margaux 83 over supermarkets finest?
Feb 23, 2019, 9:24 am
#72
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And what the heck is Chateau Margaux 83?
Feb 23, 2019, 9:40 am
#73
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https://www.decanter.com/learn/wine-...x-1983-369827/
Feb 23, 2019, 9:49 am
#74
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Feb 23, 2019, 9:55 am
#75
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Oh, sorry. I remembered this post: BA First Wine - Staff 'Cheat' Sheet (Tier 2, Jan 2019)