British Airways has added Graham’s Six Grapes, the port favoured by Winston Churchill, to its business class drinks menu.
The airline says that the port will pair well with desserts and cheeses on board in August, in particular the roasted white chocolate and hazelnut tart and the cheddar and camembert with spiced mulled apple jelly. Formerly known as Graham’s Vintage Character Port, the fortified wine was often served to Churchill’s guests at Chartwell House, his country home.
British Airways’ head of catering, Colin Talbot, said:
“Port is incredibly popular in Club World – last year alone nearly 41,000 bottles [37.5cl] were served to our business class customers- so we are delighted to be adding Graham’s Six Grapes to the menu. At altitude it holds its flavour well thanks to its good structure and with the long lingering finish, it will wonderfully complement the dessert and cheese selection on flights.”
Graham’s says that the Six Grapes “…can best be thought of as the an everyday Port for the Vintage Port drinker.”
The wine has seven gold medals and two trophies at international tasting competitions over the last two decades and is Graham’s Reserve Port.
The distinctive depiction of the six bunches of grapes on the bottle originates from the marks long-used in the Graham’s Lodge to classify the quality of the wines in the casks. The six-grapes symbol is Graham’s mark of quality, used to identify the very finest wines from the best vineyards, which were destined to make up the Vintage Port or Six Grapes lotes.
The win is sourced from the same vineyards that contribute to Graham’s Vintage Ports and closely resembles a young Graham’s Vintage Port in style: full-bodied, with rich black fruit on the palate, and fragrant blackberry aromas.
British Airways will also be launching a new restaurant-style premium dining service for business class passengers this autumn, with display trolleys that allow them to select freshly prepared starters and desserts served on table settings. The airline also recently announced a partnership with The White Company offering new bedding and amenity kits in business class, part of its £400 million investment in lounges, food and drink, and a new seat.
At Heathrow a First Wing check-in area with direct security and lounge access has launched, and lounges around the airline’s network are to be revamped and improved. The Club Europe cabin has also been introduced on UK domestic services, with wifi set to be introduced on long-haul and short-haul fleets over the next two years.
