TOP OF THE CLASS

As travel restrictions eased across the world, the winners of our inflight wine awards impressed returning passengers

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Following two years of route disruptions and restrictions on inflight services, the world has reopened and travel is back in full force. This also signalled the end of socially distanced tastings and the return to a normal judging process for our Cellars in the Sky awards, which have been running since 1985.

Late last year, a panel of expert judges convened at Haberdashers’ Hall, in Smithfield, London, to select the best bottles served by airlines in business and first class in 2022. The judges were John Worontschak, Helen McGinn, Masters of Wine Peter McCombie and Sarah Abbott, and head judge Charles Metcalfe, founder of the International Wine Challenge. 

“The standard has been higher even than previous years,” explains Metcalfe. “There were very few wines that we felt did not perform.” Thankfully the pandemic did not lead to a drop in quality, with airlines continuing to invest in top-class beverages.

HOW THE AWARDS WORK 

The competition is open to any carrier that serves wine in business or first class on mid- or long-haul routes. Each airline is invited to enter two reds, two whites, a rosé, a sparkling, and a fortified or dessert wine from both cabins. They can compete in as many categories as they like, but to be eligible for the Best Overall Cellar award they must enter at least one red, white and sparkling. For 2022, 22 airlines entered.