Singapore Airlines pops the cork on Cristal 2015

Singapore Airlines is renowned for serving some of the best Champagne in the sky, and the latest addition to its portfolio will elevate that reputation even further.

From December 1, travellers in Singapore Airlines first class – including the spacious A380 Suites – will be offered the legendary Louis Roederer Cristal.

It’s a worldwide exclusive for Singapore Airlines, which will introduce the exquisite Cristal 2015 in Suites and First Class on flights between Singapore and Delhi, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo – and that’s in both directions, not just the outbound flight from Singapore.

From March, Cristal 2015 will appear on “other Suites and First Class routes on a three-month rotational basis.”

Rated over 95/100 by reviewers, and priced at around AUD$500 per bottle, Cristal 2015 is a blend of 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir grapes sourced from 45 distinct Grand Cru plots with an emphasis on sustainable viticulture.

The result is a Champagne that’s crisp and layered, with subtle notes of white flowers, toasted nuts, and a mineral finish.

“Cristal 2015 is an exceptional experience, which is highly sought-after by the most demanding wine connoisseurs worldwide,” explains Jeannie Cho Lee, one of Singapore Airlines’ trio of wine consultants – alongside Oz Clarke and Michael Hill Smith – and the first Asian to be awarded Master of Wine.

She notes that “the quality of this wine remains prominent even at 36,000 feet.”

“Its depth and impressive quality from the meticulous ageing process results in a Champagne with intricate and intense flavours of toasted pinenuts, crushed stones, and white flowers, coupled with a crescendo of refined flavours and a lingering, persistent finish.”

And how do independent wine experts rate Cristal 2015?

James Suckling: 97/100. “For the warm and dry vintage this has tremendous freshness and elegance. The complex nose of citrus blossom, mint, lemon and lime zest opens up slowly as this aerates in the glass. The wine’s ample structure is still quite firm, which is a vintage characteristic, the mousse very fine but also very lively for an eight-year-old champagne.”

Wine Spectator: 96/100. “This mouthwatering Champagne has an ethereal quality, with a frame of chiseled acidity and focused precision to the pointillisme-like, vibrant mousse. Yet this shows depth and generous expression, with the finely spun notes of patisserie apple and blackberry fruit opening beautifully on the palate and through the minerally finish, with notes of grated ginger, blood orange granita, salted Marcona almond and anise.”

Decanter: 95/100. “An open and inviting nose references cream, oatmeal and Amalfi lemon with the slightest edge of smoke. The palate immediately strikes with a mouthwatering lemon ripeness and a juicy, mouthfilling generosity reminiscent of yellow plum. It stays true to the trademark sleekness of Cristal and speaks of the concentration of 2015.”

The big question, however, is how many bottles of Cristal will be loaded onto these flights? 

It’s not unknown for some airlines to bring just a single bottle of their best first class Champagne on board.

All that Singapore Airlines is prepared to say is that it “endeavours to uplift sufficient quantities of beverages, including champagne, for each flight,” a spokesperson told Executive Traveller, adding that the airline “sincerely apologises to our customers if we run out of their preferred alcoholic beverage/champagne label on board our flights.”

“The number of bottles of each champagne label that is available on each flight depends on a variety of factors, including customer preferences, aircraft type, duration of flight, and the availability of that specific brand at that time.”

Cristal 2015 joins Singapore Airlines’ curated list of exquisite champagnes served in Suites and First Class, with up to three premium labels on each flight “depending on the routes and seasons.”

Headlining the selection will be either Cristal 2015 or Krug Grand Cuvée, depending on the route.

“Suites and First Class customers will also enjoy the 2013 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, 2015 Bollinger Grande Année, 2016 Pol Roger Blanc De Blancs, and the 2007 Blanc des Millenaires by Charles Heidsieck on rotation,” the airline says.

Also served across December 2024 will be Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rose.