Mediterranean islands shine in our new Discovery wine series
Begin your next flight with a taste of island life, courtesy of Cathay Pacific’s newly refreshed Discovery wine collection. Our award-winning inflight cellar regularly showcases wines from all over the world, from the heights of the Chinese Mainland’s mountainous vineyards to lesser-known European grape varieties. We now invite you to embark on our latest adventure: a journey to the island wineries of the Mediterranean.
Sourced from vineyards planted on fertile volcanic soil and overlooking pristine blue waters in Hvar, Corsica, Mallorca and Santorini, four new bottles will be served on board our planes and in our airport lounges. Carefully chosen to complement our inflight dining menus, they offer a way to explore the world before you’ve even reached your destination.
Ronald Khoo, Cathay’s Wine, Spirits & Beverage Manager, says of the selection, “We previously focused on high-altitude wines from the Chinese Mainland, so this time we instinctively thought of the opposite and headed out to sea – where we discovered fine wine regions on islands.”
The selected wines – two velvety reds and two airy whites – pay tribute to the lush, unspoilt Mediterranean landscapes from which they originate, imparting herbal notes and a sea salt minerality. They also derive from indigenous grape varieties, such as the Assyrtiko grape from Santorini; this prized white grape lends a clean, dry, citrus-infused quality to the Artemis Karamolegos Kouloura 2023, available in our First class cabins. Many of the featured grapes are also grown in volcanic soil, adding a distinct steely minerality to the intense flavour of each yield.
In the case of the rich red Tomic Plavac 2020 from the beautiful Croatian island of Hvar in the Adriatic, our decision to feature it among our Business class offerings stemmed from a deep appreciation for Croatia’s diversity of varieties and its storied yet internationally overlooked wine heritage. “Croatia has been making wines for around 2,000 years and has over 100 indigenous grape varieties, which result in unique and incredible flavours and styles. There are more interesting wines coming out of Croatia and it’s exciting to watch this space,” Khoo says.
Discover our new additions, and where to drink them, below.
Cathay Pacific’s new Discovery wine series
First Class (to be served on a rotational basis)
Artemis Karamolegos Kouloura, Santorini, Greece, 2023
Indigenous Assyrtiko grapes are the star of this white wine, which delivers citrus and green apple notes amid a crisp, moreish minerality – transporting you instantly to the shores of the Aegean.
Bodega Finca Biniagual Gran Veran, Mallorca, Spain, 2022
Structured and leaning on the acidic side, this complex red wine shines a light on sun-drenched Mallorca with notes of tangy red fruits, fresh herbs and an elegant oaky undertone.
Business Class (to be served on a rotational basis)
Tomic Plavac, Hvar Island, Croatia, 2020
Dark fruits form the backbone of this rich Croatian red, with sea salt minerality and Mediterranean herbs transporting you to the volcanic slopes of Hvar. Full-bodied yet fresh, it’s a powerful note on which to start your journey.
Credit: Studio Baalt
Domaine d’Alzipratu Fiumeseccu Vermentino, Corsica, France, 2024
This medium-bodied white wine is crafted from native Corsican grapes and captures the scents of maquis shrubland, with wild herbs and red berries bringing a bright acidity to every sip.