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Singapore Airlines is now serving the Prelude “Grands Crus” from the world renowned Champagne house, Taittinger, one of the few remaining family-owned Champagne houses.
Prelude “Grands Crus” is comprises only cuvée (first pressing) and is a blend of 50% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs (Avize, Le Mesnil sur Oger) and 50% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de
Reims area (Bouzy, Ambonnay) which are considered the best Grand Cru vineyards in the family’s estates. All the vineyards are in the Champagne system.
The wine is cellar aged on its lees for more than five years in Taittinger cellars which allows the finesse, structure and fine aroma of the wine to develop.
Tasting notes: The high percentage of Chardonnay in the wine is reflected in the brilliant highlights on the straw colour. Very fine bubbles which result in a long lasting ring of creamy mousse. On the nose the wine is fresh yet subtle. Brioche and minerals overtones quickly giving way to green and floral aromas, apple with traces of caramel, elderflower and the faintest of cinnamon. The palate is upfront bright with intensive fresh citrus, giving way to fuller bodied silky mid-palate of white peaches and green apples with a touch of earthiness. The creaminess is well balanced with a finely structured acidity. The finish nice, long, and expressive. I would rate this wine around 91 points.
Singapore Airlines which has a well regarded and well awarded wine selection aboard, consumes about 194,000 bottles of Champagne each year aboard its flights and the Taittinger Prelude should be a decent proportion of this. In first class the airline serves two prestige cuvées, Dom Pérignon 2004 (the current vintage) and Krug Grand Cuvée.
Prior to the Prelude, the airline used to serve Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV in business class. Market pricing for the Taittinger Prelude is around $75-$100 per bottle while the Dom and Krug range from about $169 to $199.
