The Daily Sun New York site reports on Japan Airlines’ (JAL) wine and sake selection for First and Business Class passengers in 2018. The selection includes wines not only from Europe but from all over the world, including Japan.
JAL is advised by a team of two: Ohashi Kenichi, holder of the world’s top wine qualification Master of Wine (MW), who brings expert opinion and the most up-to-date information; and Okoshi Motohiro, a sommelier and Japan’s first wine taster who rigorously selects wine and sake based on how well they pair with the on-board menus.
Okoshi has also demonstrated outstanding chemistry with the chefs who create for JAL’s “exclusive restaurant in the sky,” such as Suga Yosuke of SUGALABO who studied for 16 years under French master Joël Robuchon.
The champagne to be served in First Class from 1 January 2018 is Luis Roederer Crystal 2009, alongside Chateau Poujeaux Moulis 2009, Louis Jadot Beaune 1er Cru Greves Le Clos Blanc 2013, and Japanese wines Chateau Igai Takaha SONO Pinot Noir 2015 and Kusuda Martinborough Syrah 2014.
JAL also aims to serve emerging brands and rare, hard-to-find sake to make their service more enjoyable than just a meal on board. The February 2018 menu has Jūyondai junmai daiginjo, available only on board JAL flights, and Kokuryū daiginjo. The shōchū selection includes Mori Izo and Kanehachi, with Kuroki Honten’s Hyakunen no Kodoku (One Hundred Years of Solitude) on the February 2018 menu.
Links
- Original Article (Japanese, Daily Sun New York, 5 January 2018)
- JAL in-flight menu for February 2018 (English and Japanese, PDF)