Air Canada Red wines .......
Feb 20, 2005 | 2:34 pm
#1
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Air Canada Red wines .......
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. There are so many good Canadian merlots, why are they forcing that swill on us? Even the shiraz is lacking. We have some great reds, particulairly out west from Burrowing Owl and Sandhill, or perhaps a Peller Estate. These are 12-16 dollar bottles retail, certainly not high end.
The current choice gives me heartburn just thinking about it.
The current choice gives me heartburn just thinking about it.
Feb 20, 2005 | 2:47 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Originally Posted by mtacchi
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. There are so many good Canadian merlots, why are they forcing that swill on us? Even the shiraz is lacking. We have some great reds, particulairly out west from Burrowing Owl and Sandhill, or perhaps a Peller Estate. These are 12-16 dollar bottles retail, certainly not high end.
The current choice gives me heartburn just thinking about it.
The current choice gives me heartburn just thinking about it.
. I do remember that the selections didn't change very much over a several-month period last year. My first flight in J for 2005 will be next month--I'm guessing from your comments that if the selection has changed, it wasn't for the better.
Feb 20, 2005 | 2:54 pm
#3
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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.
Feb 20, 2005 | 3:09 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: AC.SE
Posts: 2,584
Originally Posted by Stranger
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.
.AC doesn't go out of its way to pick good wines. As mtacchi said, there are many decent bottles available for not much more than what they're likely paying now. But as you've pointed out, most people on board aren't looking for oenophilic ecstasy when they fly--just something to wash down their dry steak with, or to make them drowsy. So it's an easy decision for AC to save on wine.
Too bad the Piper-Heidsieck is gone. Is it still the Drappier they've got now? A bit harsh.
Feb 20, 2005 | 3:19 pm
#5
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mtacchi, you're right. The C du C is undrinkable. The Chilean one is not too bad, but they've had those two for months now. It would be nice to see a rotation from time to time. These days I stick to the champagne until the main course comes.
Feb 20, 2005 | 3:24 pm
#6
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Originally Posted by mtacchi
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. There are so many good Canadian merlots, why are they forcing that swill on us? Even the shiraz is lacking. We have some great reds, particulairly out west from Burrowing Owl and Sandhill, or perhaps a Peller Estate. These are 12-16 dollar bottles retail, certainly not high end.
The current choice gives me heartburn just thinking about it.
The current choice gives me heartburn just thinking about it.
Osooyos Larose is another good wine I found there.
The AC wines are currently not the best they have served.
Feb 20, 2005 | 3:27 pm
#7
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I am not a wine drinker but smile........ our friends and UA complain about the same thing...
So dont switch airlines because of the wine... or at least to UA.
So dont switch airlines because of the wine... or at least to UA.
Feb 20, 2005 | 3:56 pm
#8
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Originally Posted by why fly
I am not a wine drinker but smile........ our friends and UA complain about the same thing...
So dont switch airlines because of the wine... or at least to UA.
So dont switch airlines because of the wine... or at least to UA.
Feb 20, 2005 | 4:16 pm
#9
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Lighter fluid!
On my J RTW last year on AC, UA, SK and OZ, AC and UA were just sooooooo far behind the others in wine quality. Really quite depressing stuff being served - I've routinely had better wine in Y on AirNZ than what UA and AC served in international J. 
Feb 20, 2005 | 4:23 pm
#10
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Originally Posted by Academic
mtacchi, you're right. The C du C is undrinkable. The Chilean one is not too bad, but they've had those two for months now. It would be nice to see a rotation from time to time. These days I stick to the champagne until the main course comes.
Maybe they bought a carload of the stuff, and we are near the end??DF
Feb 20, 2005 | 4:24 pm
#11
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Originally Posted by mad_atta
On my J RTW last year on AC, UA, SK and OZ, AC and UA were just sooooooo far behind the others in wine quality. Really quite depressing stuff being served - I've routinely had better wine in Y on AirNZ than what UA and AC served in international J.
mmmmm Hardy's Merlot. Pefect for a very smooth TransPac ^
DF
Feb 20, 2005 | 4:31 pm
#12
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Get a life guys... just get that lovely mango juice and spike it with lots of vodka to get that whammy. Maybe the red wine will taste better then? 
I don't know how to taste wine, but even I think the current selection ain't the best...
I don't know how to taste wine, but even I think the current selection ain't the best...
Feb 20, 2005 | 4:31 pm
#13
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Maybe the LCBO was offering alot of bonus Air Miles for the crap they can't sell. AC probably bought them to get some points for free flights on WestJet for insiders to "snoop."
Feb 20, 2005 | 5:25 pm
#15
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The wine selection on AC is pretty horride. Maybe whoever that choose the wine do not have a tastebud? Either that or they got a supercheap deal from the vineyard and figure that if people don't like the wine, they will drink less of it 