St Hallett Winery has worked alongside Virgin Australia to launch a shiraz blend, sourced from the Barossa and Eden Valleys, tailored to be enjoyed at 38,000 feet.
While St Hallett wines have been available in-flight before, it is believed to be the first time a winery has crafted a blend to be specifically enjoyed at high altitude, where passengers’ sense of taste and smell changes.
The Duo 2016 will be served exclusively on board Virgin flights in business class and may also be sampled in Virgin airport lounges.
St Hallett winemaker Shelley Cox was tasked with adjusting levels of acidity and texture to ensure the balance was right for airline cabin conditions.
"The drier air in the cabin can make it hard to really capture a wine’s aroma. This is where the Eden Valley component comes in,” she said.
The drier air in the cabin can make it hard to really capture a wine’s aroma. This is where the Eden Valley component comes in.
- Shelley Cox
"The higher altitude of the Eden Valley means cooler conditions and creates shiraz with lovely overt floral aromas. You only need a small component to really lift a whole blend.
“We played around with a lot of different options to ensure the acid and texture balance was right. It was a great experience and we are confident the wine will deliver in both taste and aroma on the plane at altitude.”
According to Ms Cox, there were plans in place to conduct the blending process in mid-air for next year’s product, allowing it to be sampled at altitude.
The Duo is now available on board Virgin Australia aircraft’s business class.
Erica Visser
Erica has extensive experience in covering regional issues including politics, education, health and mining.
Erica has extensive experience in covering regional issues including politics, education, health and mining.
