Hong Kong’s flagship carrier Cathay Pacific has unveiled six new Chinese wines for its first-class and business-class passengers from November 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025. This marks the second batch of Chinese wines as part of its “Discover Wine Series.”
The first batch of Chinese wines was offered from March 1, 2024, to May 31, 2024, featuring three wines from Ningxia and one wine from Shandong. The second batch expanded the selection to include wines from Xinjiang, Yunnan, Ningxia, and Shanxi.
Selections of the current batch of Chinese wines include Ao Yun 2015 from Yunnan, Grace Vineyard Deep Blue 2020 from Shanxi and Ningxia, Tiansai Skyline of Gobi Marselan Selection 2018 from Xinjiang, The Starting Point Riesling 2021, The Starting Point Cabernet Franc 2021, and Kanaan Winery Lao Wang Syrah 2022 from Ningxia. Ao Yun is available in first class, while the other five wines are offered in business class.
The launch of the second batch was encouraged by the success of the first. “I observed a range of reactions from surprise and delight to doubt,” said Ronald Khoo, Cathay Pacific’s Wine, Spirits & Beverage Manager, “But the skeptics turned into fans after tasting the wine.”
Khoo recalled serving Domaine de Long Dai, one of the selections from the first batch, at a wine-tasting event in the first-class lounge. “Out of the 70 people we met, 90% had never tasted Chinese wines before, and of those, 90 % were very surprised that Chinese wine could taste that good.”
As Khoo explained, the selection of inflight wines considered the diminished sensory perception at high altitudes, leading to a preference for wines with stronger flavors. “As our perception of taste is weaker at altitude, wines need to have more forward flavors, higher fruit definition, and balance,” he said. “These Chinese wines, made in regions blessed with abundant sunshine, naturally possess these characteristics when managed well.”
Chinese wines are gaining popularity in the Hong Kong market. Ningxia, a renowned wine region in northern China, saw over half of its exported wines entering Hong Kong during the first three quarters of this year.
Leung Chun-ying, the former Chief Executive of Hong Kong, is a passionate advocate for Chinese wines in the region. In August, he urged that only Chinese wines be served at official and private celebrations for National Day in the city.
