Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) has renewed the wine line up and added new Japanese sakes to its in-flight menu selection.
The journey to the new wine selection began August 2017 when approximately 2,800 wines from 18 different countries were reviewed, and 30 experts from around the world came together in a blind taste test to taste about 200 wines. Two sommeliers, who joined ANA’s connoisseur program last year, Olivier Poussier, named the Best Sommelier in the World in 2000, and Satoru Mori, the Executive Sommelier of Conrad Tokyo participated in the selection process. They were joined by ANA chefs, staff, and flight attendants with sommelier qualifications.
At the blind taste testing, 54 (28 in-flight/ 26 lounges) wines were eventually selected from a variety of regions, including Japan, Europe, North and South America, Oceania, and South Africa. ANA’s own original blended wines will also be offered on ANA international First Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. Furthermore, it will also start providing champagne on Japan domestic Premium Class.
Furthermore, in August 2018, ANA was awarded the highest accolade, “Top International First Class Wines of the Wing” at Global Traveler’s “15th annual Wines on the Wing Airline Wine Competition.” Global Traveler is a known magazine mainly for frequent business and luxury travelers.
To find the outstanding wines served on First Class and Business Class international airline flights, Global Traveler invited 23 judges, all wine professionals, to taste wines submitted by the airlines.
Passengers are able to enjoy award-winning wines such as Champagne Krug 2004, first-place winner in the Champagne and Sparkling Wines International First Class category; the Nielson by Byron Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2015, third place in White Wines International First Class; Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru “Morgeot” Maison Louis Latour 2015, second place in Red Wines International First Class; and the Champagne Duval-Leroy Brut Réserve, the third place in Champagnes International Business Class.
Not only the wine selection was enhanced, but also from September, the sake menu will see the addition of Aramasa No. 6 ANA-type Junmai Namazake (Unpasteurized Sake) to the First-Class menu and Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute “Yamahai Ginjo” will be included in Business Class offerings.
The new wine and sake selections will bring a variety of options for ANA passengers, continuing ANA’s commitment to showcasing a high quality travel experience.
