Air France opens its own “private” wine cellar

On Monday 24 November 2008, Air France launched a new online service enabling customers living in France to purchase a selection of wines from its renowned collection. Wine served on board Air France flights, chosen by Olivier Poussier, Air France’s wine advisor and world’s best sommelier in 2000, are among the best from France’s various wine-growing regions.

Air France wants to offer its passengers the opportunity of prolonging the pleasure of drinking fine wines on board by enabling them to order bottles online from Air France’s exclusive selection.

Customers simply click on eshopping.airfrance.fr to access “The Air France Wine Cellar”.

Initially, a selection of 8 wines including some prize-winning bottles, served in “La Première” and “l’Espace Affaires” on Air France flights, will be on offer in limited quantity.

Four Bordeaux wines served in Air France’s “La Première” cabin:

- Château Suduiraut 1996, an exceptional Sauternes wine, €45 per bottle*
- Château Canon 2003, a fine Saint-Émilion, €75 per bottle*
- Château Léoville Poyferré 2002, a prestigious Saint-Julien, €59 per bottle*
- Brane-Cantenac 2004, a great Margaux, €49 per bottle*

Four fine wines served in Air France’s “l’Espace Affaires” cabin, 3 Bordeaux wines and one very exclusive wine from the Languedoc region:

- Château Rollan de By 2004, Médoc, silver medal-winner at the Wine Style Asia 2008 Competition in Singapore, €25 per bottle*
- Château Le Crock 2004, Saint-Estèphe, €25 per bottle*
- Haut Condissas 2005, a famous Médoc wine, €48 per bottle*
- Cigalus Blanc 2005, a prize-winner at the "Cellars in the Skies 2007" competition, "Best Business Class White", €27 per bottle*

“At the end of the year, “Air France’s Wine Cellar” will be extended to Bourgogne wines and Champagne. During 2009, the selection will offer up to 17 different wines, renewed every two months, reflecting the choice of wine served on board.” stated Patrick Roux, Vice-President Marketing at Air France.

* Wines from Air France’s wine cellar are presented in exclusive wooden cases containing six bottles. Particular care is taken when packaging the chosen wines which are stocked in the châteaux up to the last moment.

Air France has also carefully chosen its suppliers and delivery companies to ensure that great care is taken when handling the wine during transport.