A First for the Carrier
Emirates will pour its first English sparkling wine from October, adding Wiston Estate Brut NV to Premium Economy cabins on UK routes. The move marks a shift for an airline that has historically leaned on French champagne houses and vineyards across Australia, South Africa and Chile.
Wiston Estate is a family-run property in West Sussex, set on the chalk soils of the South Downs. The wine blends Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier using the traditional method, with extended lees ageing for complexity and reserve wines folded in for depth. The estate has been named WineGB Winery of the Year six times.
The airline said the introduction celebrates British provenance and gives passengers the chance to try one of England's better-known sparkling wines. It opens with green apple, lemon and sourdough, developing a fine mousse with candied citrus, butter and toast on the palate.
How Emirates Selects Wine
Emirates applies criteria that go beyond ground-level tasting. Wines must perform at altitude, where cabin pressure and dry air can dull flavour. The airline evaluates fruit character, acidity, tannin structure, oak influence and maturity before committing to a wine.
Many bottles are acquired years before they are served and aged in professional facilities in France. Bordeaux destined for Business Class typically matures for eight to ten years; First Class selections can age for twelve to fifteen years or longer. This approach allows the carrier to secure limited parcels of sought-after vintages and serve them when they are ready to drink.
Since 2006, Emirates has invested more than one billion US dollars in its wine programme, according to the airline. Today it holds around five million bottles in dedicated facilities in France. Because many wines are sourced in small allocations, passengers can encounter rare vintages that are not widely available elsewhere.
What Else Is New
The refresh extends across every cabin class. Economy passengers will see four new wines from October, including Domaine de la Baume Tautavel 2023, a Grenache-Syrah from Roussillon in southern France. It offers ripe blackberry, blackcurrant and red plum with liquorice, pepper and Mediterranean herbs, plus smooth tannins and a fruit-forward finish.
Château Pech-Latt Corbières 2024 joins the selection as well, made from Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre. It delivers ripe dark fruit complemented by spice and Mediterranean herbs, with a round, supple palate.
For white wine, Cuvée Sabourin Picpoul de Pinet 2024 brings bright lemon, green apple and white flowers alongside subtle mineral and saline notes. Crisp acidity and a citrus-driven finish make it a natural match for seafood and lighter dishes.
Journey's End Weather Station Sauvignon Blanc 2025 rounds out the Economy selection. Produced by a family-owned estate near Stellenbosch in South Africa, the wine shows green apple, citrus, grapefruit and kiwifruit with subtle saline minerality, lively acidity and a clean finish.
The Broader Context
English sparkling wine has gained traction in recent years, supported by climate conditions and chalk soils similar to those in Champagne. Producers in southern England have won international awards and secured shelf space in restaurants and retailers that once stocked only French labels.
For Emirates, the addition of Wiston Estate signals recognition of that shift. It also reflects a broader strategy of sourcing wines that resonate with the markets the airline serves. Offering an English sparkling wine on UK routes ties the product directly to the passenger base most likely to recognise and appreciate it.
The airline has long positioned its wine programme as a differentiator, particularly in premium cabins where passengers expect access to rare or aged bottles. First Class passengers can choose from Dom Pérignon Vintage 2017 and Château Mouton Rothschild 2003, wines that carry significant price tags on the ground and benefit from years of cellar time.
Premium Economy and Economy cabins receive less attention in the wine conversation, but they represent a larger passenger base and a bigger opportunity to shape perception. Adding a well-regarded English sparkling wine to Premium Economy on UK routes is a targeted move that costs less than stocking champagne across the board but still delivers a sense of occasion.
What It Means for Passengers
The new wines will roll out in the coming months across Emirates' global network. Passengers in every cabin class will see changes to the selection, though the specifics will vary by route and service.
For travellers on UK routes flying Premium Economy, the arrival of Wiston Estate offers a chance to try a wine that has earned recognition at home and abroad. For those in Economy, the new reds and whites from France and South Africa broaden the choice and bring in fresher vintages.
The broader wine programme remains a long-term investment. Holding five million bottles requires storage infrastructure, quality control and the capital to buy wine years before it generates revenue. But it also allows Emirates to serve wines that are ready to drink, not just available to buy.
Whether passengers notice the difference depends on how much they care about wine. For some, the addition of an English sparkling wine is a detail. For others, it is a signal that the airline is paying attention to where its passengers come from and what they might want to drink at altitude.
