Emirates is expanding its onboard Champagne and fine wine selection across its global network, introducing new labels and vintages across First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class over the coming months.
The latest collection includes wines from France, Australia, Chile, South Africa and the UK, giving passengers across Emirates’ cabin classes access to a broader selection of wines as part of the airline’s wider approach to enhancing the inflight experience.
Among the highlights is Dom Pérignon Vintage 2017, which Emirates is expected to introduce in First Class across its global network towards the end of the year. The airline will also offer Château Mouton Rothschild 2003 in First Class on UK routes from October, while First Class customers travelling to Australasia will be served Penfolds RWT Shiraz 2015 from late September.
Other First Class selections include Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2015 from Bouchard Père & Fils on African routes, Le Petit Cheval Blanc 2023 from Château Cheval Blanc on European routes, Seña 2016 on East Asian routes and Vilafonté Series C 2016 on select routes from December.
Enhancing the Premium Cabin Experience
For Emirates, the wine programme forms part of its broader effort to differentiate the onboard experience across cabin classes. Rather than offering a standardised selection, the airline uses different wines across markets and cabins, allowing it to tailor the experience while introducing passengers to wines from established and emerging regions.
In Business Class, Emirates is currently serving La Dame de Montrose 2014 from Château Montrose on US routes. From late September, Business Class passengers travelling to East Asia will also have access to Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2024 from Domaine des Sénéchaux, providing a rare white Rhône option.
Premium Economy will see several additions, including La Parde de Haut-Bailly 2014 from October and Chablis Premier Cru Jean-Marc Brocard 2024 from September.
The cabin will also introduce Emirates’ first English sparkling wine, Wiston Estate Brut NV, exclusively on UK routes from October. Produced in West Sussex using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the wine brings a distinctly British element to Emirates’ Premium Economy offering.
Chandon 2021, produced in Victoria’s Yarra Valley using the traditional method, will also continue as a global Emirates exclusive in Premium Economy.
Curated Choices in Economy Class
The airline is also refreshing its Economy Class wine selection with wines designed to complement its broader onboard dining proposition.
New selections include Domaine de la Baume Tautavel 2023, a Grenache-Syrah blend from southern France, and Château Pech-Latt Corbières 2024. White wine options include Cuvée Sabourin Picpoul de Pinet 2024 from France and Journey’s End Weather Station Sauvignon Blanc 2025 from South Africa.
The approach gives Emirates passengers across all cabin classes a wider range of wine choices while supporting the airline’s strategy of using food and beverage as an important component of the overall cabin experience.
A Five-Million-Bottle Wine Cellar
Emirates has invested more than $1 billion in its wine programme since 2006 and currently holds approximately five million bottles in dedicated facilities in France.
The airline purchases many wines years ahead of their planned onboard service and allows them to mature until they reach their preferred drinking window. This long-term approach also enables Emirates to secure limited allocations and rare vintages that may otherwise be difficult to source in larger quantities.
Wine selection for inflight service takes into account factors including fruit character, acidity, tannin, oak influence and maturity. Emirates also considers how individual wines perform at altitude when determining which bottles make it onto the aircraft.
Bordeaux wines selected for Business Class typically undergo at least eight to 10 years of ageing, while First Class selections can mature for 12 to 15 years or longer.
The latest programme therefore represents more than a refresh of Emirates’ inflight beverage menu. It reflects the airline’s continued investment in premium cabin differentiation and the sensory elements of the passenger experience, using carefully selected food and beverages to complement its broader cabin product.
