As part of an annual series of regional promotions, KL is offering Chinese food and beverages on its flights this month and next. I wasn't aware of this until I had boarded my LAX-AMS earlier flight this week. Prior to reading the menu, I was offered a choice of beverages after boarding the 74M (seated in 1A). Piccking up the sparkling wine (blind taste), I tasted it and thought it was pleasant - nothing to distinguish it but pleasant to drink. Better than most I've had inflight. Turns out that it's a chardonnay-based one called Dragon Seal Brut. Compares more than favorably than the cheap champagne AF serves (Jacquart for one) and leagues better than Chateau Ste Michelle that one finds a lot in the U.S.

Intrigued by the selections offered in the menu, I went on to the Chardonnay Vintage Gold for my smoked seafood appetiser and salad. Again, the wine was quite pleasant. Not overoaked. I think a bit of malolactic fermentation but not significantly "buttery". And not sweet either.

Went on to the Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Gold next with the beef tenderloin main. Again, not too oaked, a very slight hint of vanilla. Creamy smooth is the mouth feel. Good fruit and not sweet and undermatured as a lot of cheap reds tend to be. It was actually quite well made and balanced. Good colour too.

With dessert, I had the Suntime Sweet Chardonnay, with the fruit tart dessert, which is a late harvest/select late harvest wine. It was rather non-viscous, even a bit watery, but full of flavour and not too sweet. Again, a surprise.

All in all, several leagues above the cheap Aussie and South American wines. Looks quite promising.

http://www.experiencechinaklm.com/