Singapore Airlines (SIA) will become the world’s only airline to serve the iconic Cristal 2015 champagne, following an exclusive agreement with leading French champagne house Louis Roederer.
Cristal 2015, which is celebrated for its exceptional quality and refined taste, will be served in SIA’s Airbus A380 Suites and Boeing 777-300ER First Class cabins from 1 December 2024. Initially available on flights between Singapore and Delhi, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney, and Tokyo, the offering will rotate to other Suites and First Class routes on a three-month rotational basis.
Crafted by cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Cristal 2015 blends 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir, sourced from 45 vineyard plots across Louis Roederer’s seven Grands Crus. It exemplifies meticulous attention to detail, from a bespoke, sustainable viticulture approach of Louis Roederer’s exceptional Grand Cru vineyards to the artful blending and extended cellar ageing that gives the wine its depth and elegance.
Mr. Yeoh Phee Teik, Senior Vice President Customer Experience, Singapore Airlines, said: “This partnership between two world-class brands demonstrates Singapore Airlines’ commitment to elevating the travel experience for our discerning customers. Exclusively offering a premium champagne like Cristal 2015 will delight our Suites and First-Class customers, and ensures that they continue to enjoy an unparalleled, luxurious journey with us.”
Mr. Frédéric Rouzaud, Chief Executive Officer, Champagne Louis Roederer, said: “Cristal 2015 delivers intense and delicious aromas with superb energy and an ethereal vibration. This is a timeless champagne of supreme balance and measure, resonating with the chalkiness of its soils, bursting forth in a bracing, vertical effervescence, with an insistent, precise, and finely honed freshness. We are really delighted that our iconic Cristal champagne has been chosen to be served on board Singapore Airlines.”
Image: SIA
The Airline’s world-renowned panel of wine consultants, who bring a wealth of expertise and unique perspective to the in-flight wine selection process, meticulously selected Cristal 2015 for its exceptional balance and depth of flavor.
SIA wine consultant Ms. Jeannie Cho Lee, the first Asian to be awarded the Master of Wine title, said: “Our goal is to ensure that the finest wines from the best vintages enhance the travel experience and complement the in-flight cuisine on board Singapore Airlines flights. Cristal 2015 is an exceptional experience, which is highly sought-after by the most demanding wine connoisseurs worldwide.
“Its depth and impressive quality from the meticulous aging process results in a champagne with intricate and intense flavors of toasted pinenuts, crushed stones, and white flowers, coupled with a crescendo of refined flavors and a lingering, persistent finish. The quality of this wine remains prominent even at 36,000 feet, making it the perfect addition for SIA’s Suites and First-Class customers.”
Cristal 2015 joins SIA’s curated list of exquisite champagnes, offering Suites and First-Class customers up to three premium labels to choose from on each flight.
About Singapore Airlines
The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group’s history dates to 1947 with the maiden flight of Malayan Airways. The airline was later renamed Malaysian Airways and then Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA). In 1972, MSA split into Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airline System. Initially operating a modest fleet of 10 aircraft to 22 destinations in 18 countries, SIA has since grown to be a world-class international airline group that is committed to the constant enhancement of the three main pillars of its brand promise: Service Excellence, Product Leadership, and Network Connectivity. Singapore Airlines is the world’s most awarded airline.
About Champagne Louis Roederer
Created in 1776 and today headed by Frédéric Rouzaud, Louis Roederer is one of the last great independent family-owned Champagne Houses. Founded and still located in Reims today, where its multi-vintage Collection and Cristal champagnes are produced, it bears the name of the man who, in 1841, put into practice what was an avant-garde vision at the time: to acquire his own vineyards in order to control all the stages of his wine production. Louis Roederer bought vineyard plots in the finest terroirs in Champagne, in the Grands Crus and Premiers Crus of the Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs and Vallée de la Marne, and began to build up a vineyard estate – today covering 250 hectares, 135 hectares of which are certified organic (the AB label in France). He thus introduced the idea that a great wine is revealed by a constant, sincere and respectful dialogue between the Land and Man.
The team today, led by Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, cellar and vineyard manager, continues to build on this heritage, constantly innovating and exploring new avenues. It is an ethos and set of values that Louis Roederer shares with the other companies in the Roederer group united under the “Roederer Collection” umbrella.
Featured image credited to John Walton