It’s only the best for Qantas’ first-class and business-class passengers whether its service, food and now alcohol.
The airline has recruited a team of experts to help select wine, Champagne, spirits and other beverages for its lounges around the world.
Dubbed ‘The Qantas Rockpool Sommeliers’ the team is made up of 16 highly experienced sommeliers and mixologists from the renowned Rockpool Restaurant Group.
Among them is the Head of Sommeliers Australia, David Lawler and one of only two Master Sommeliers in Australia, Sebastian Crowther, as well as Head Bartenders of Rockpool restaurants around the country.
As part of their duties, the sommeliers will blind taste, review and select from 1,200 Australian wines and Champagnes over four days each year and provide tasting notes for the International First and Domestic Business cabins.
They will also provide recommendations for wine in the lounges and for the first time, Rockpool mixologists will create monthly cocktails.
Gareth Evans, CEO Qantas International, said the group will provide an exciting new direction for the airline’s entire wine and beverage program.
“Qantas’ new holistic approach to food and beverage will mean not only matching our menus with the perfect wine, but with the perfect cocktail or champagne.”
Gareth Evans, Qantas International CEO
Qantas Chef and restaurateur Neil Perry said his team’s expertise in wine and mixology will offer the very best restaurant experience in the sky to Qantas passengers.
“Rockpool has worked with Qantas for over 18 years to design menus and we are thrilled to be working more closely to select beverages for the airline,” he said.
“We are committed to continue providing the finest Champagnes and the boldest wines from across Australia and deliver a restaurant experience on the ground and in the air.”
As Qantas continues its investment in training, Rockpool Sommeliers will also be part of the Qantas Advanced Sommelier in the Sky training program for cabin crew.
More than 150 cabin crew are currently trained as onboard sommeliers and more will be joining this elite group in 2015. Over 2000 Qantas Cabin Crew have also completed an introductory, intermediate or advanced level of wine training.
The Qantas Rockpool Sommeliers will hold its first Qantas wine tasting in July.