By Martin Banks

Fancy enjoying a taste of some of the world’s best wine cellars – while at 30,000 ft in the air?

If so, the airline Emirates has come up with something that is likely to go down a real treat.

Its latest selection of exceptional champagnes and fine wines spans some of the most celebrated vineyards in France, Australia, Chile, South Africa and the UK.

They range from Dom Pérignon Vintage 2017 and Château Mouton Rothschild 2003 for those lucky enough to travel in First Class, to Emirates’ first English sparkling wine – Wiston Estate Brut NV – for its Premium Economy passengers.

The brand new collection will be introduced in the coming months across the Dubai-based airline’s global network and will be available to travellers in every cabin class.

The Wiston Estate Brut NV will be available from October and is a first for Emirates as it becomes the airline’s first English sparkling wine, served exclusively in Premium Economy on UK routes.

Wiston Estate is a historic family-owned property in West Sussex, with vineyards on the chalk soils of the South Downs.

Produced from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier using the traditional method, its Brut NV incorporates reserve wines and extended lees ageing for depth and complexity while retaining freshness and distinctive minerality.

The wine has earned significant international recognition and Wiston Estate has been named WineGB Winery of the Year six times.

Opening with green apple, freshly cut lemon and sourdough, the wine develops with a fine mousse and notes of candied citrus, butter and toast.

An Emirates spokesman told this site, “The introduction of Wiston Estate exclusively on UK routes celebrates British provenance and craftsmanship while giving Emirates customers the opportunity to discover one of England’s benchmark sparkling wines.”

Emirates says it applies “stringent” criteria to select wines that “perform” both on the ground and at altitude, considering fruit character, acidity, tannin levels, oak influence and, crucially, maturity.

Many are acquired years before they are ready to serve and aged in professional facilities in France.

Bordeaux wines destined for Business Class typically undergo a minimum of eight to 10 years of ageing, while those selected for First Class can mature for at least 12 to 15 years.

This long-term approach enables Emirates to secure limited parcels of sought-after vintages and serve customers wines at their peak.

Since 2006, the airline has invested more than $1 billion in its wine programme, building a cellar that today holds around five million bottles in dedicated facilities in France.

The spokesman said, “Many wines are acquired years in advance and carefully matured until they reach their optimum drinking window, before being introduced onboard for guests to enjoy at their peak.

“As many wines are sourced in small parcels and limited allocations, Emirates customers are uniquely positioned to experience rare and sought-after vintages that are not widely available elsewhere.”

Others wines include Domaine de la Baume Tautavel 2023, a Grenache-Syrah from the Roussillon in southern France, offers ripe blackberry, blackcurrant and red plum complemented by liquorice, pepper and Mediterranean herbs, with smooth tannins and a fruit-driven finish.

From October, Emirates will introduce Château Pech-Latt Corbières 2024 – made from traditional Corbières varieties including Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre, offering ripe blackberry, blackcurrant and red fruits complemented by spice and Mediterranean herbs, with a round, supple palate.

For white wine fans, Cuvée Sabourin Picpoul de Pinet 2024 brings the freshness of France’s Mediterranean coast onboard, with bright lemon, green apple and white flowers alongside subtle mineral and saline notes.

Crisp acidity and a clean citrus-driven finish make it particularly well suited to seafood and lighter dishes.

Completing the new Economy selection is Journey’s End Weather Station Sauvignon Blanc 2025, produced by the family-owned Journey’s End estate near Stellenbosch, South Africa. The vintage displays green apple, citrus, grapefruit and kiwifruit complemented by subtle saline minerality, with lively acidity and a clean, refreshing finish.