Think pink: delicious rosé wines to sip inflight this summer

Nothing spells “summer” quite like lounging by the pool with a glass of rosé in hand. Crisp and light, the pink-hued wine has seen a resurgence in popularity over the past few years, gracing picnic hampers and dinner tables as soon as the mercury hits 26 degrees. Now, we’re bringing a selection of premium rosés to First class and Business cabins, adding a taste of summer to our extensive menu of white and red wines, champagnes and dessert wines. 

The new rosés are being introduced as part of our ongoing Discovery series, a rotating showcase of unique and up-and-coming wines with interesting stories to tell. Since 2020, the series has surprised and delighted passengers with an array of exceptional wines, including labels from leading women winemakers as well as vineyards in the Chinese Mainland.  

“The Discovery series focuses on styles of wines or themes which we generally do not already have on the wine list,” says Ronald Khoo, Cathay Pacific’s Wine, Spirits & Beverages Manager. “As summer is here, we thought it would be nice to have something refreshing to tie in with the season.”  

From July to September this year, First class and Business passengers will be able to sample one of three rosés in flight. The varieties in First – Domaine Fournier Père & Fils MMM 2023, Whispering Angel 2023, and Hampton Water 2022– hail from different regions of France, the heartland of rosé. The Business cabin selection represents a wider geographic footprint, with wines from Sicily, Italy; Burgenland, Austria; and Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, France. “We thought this was a very nice outcome as it gives a more adventurous feel to the selection,” remarks Khoo, who chose the labels through a series of blind tastings along with Master of Wine Debra Meiburg and the late Cathay Pacific wine consultant Roy Moorfield. 

Among their extensive tasting criteria were balance, complexity, a long finish and, most importantly, lasting freshness. “Our senses are weakened in the air due to lower cabin air pressure, lower humidity and background noise,” Khoo explains. “As our perception of taste mostly comes from smell, the wine panel takes this into account and leans towards more fruit-forward flavours. We also try to avoid wines that are too heavily oaked as the toasty bitter notes will be emphasised over the fruits in the air.” 

Whispering Angel and Hampton Water are both made from blends that include Grenache and Cinsault grapes, while the blush-toned Domaine Fournier rosé is made from 100 per cent Pinot Noir. All three share a “red-fruit freshness,” according to Khoo, but they each have their distinctive finishes. The Business cabin selection also highlights fruity and floral aromas, with sweet notes of meringue in the Sicilian Planeta rosé and frangipane in the Provençal Mirabeau X. 

The selected rosés are delicious both on their own and as an accompaniment to gourmet fare. Khoo recommends pairing them “with lighter meals, such as salads, grilled seafood, light pasta dishes, and Chinese dumplings as well as creamy cheeses like brie.” 

With their refreshing flavours and versatility, it’s no wonder rosés are making a comeback. If you’re flying First class or Business with us, be sure to unwind with a chilled glass of the perfect summer tipple. 

Learn more about our selection of inflight rosés below.

First class

Domaine Fournier Père & Fils MMM Rosé, Val de Loire, France, 2023

This rosé derives its delicate pink hue from Pinot Noir grapes crushed at low pressure. Produced in the Loire Valley – a region known for dry rosés – the wine is fruity and mellow on the nose, with aromas of redcurrants, dried strawberry flowers, mountain berries and mild spices. It is fresh on the palate, with hints of ripe strawberries, gooseberries and grapefruit peel on the finish.

Whispering Angel Rosé, Côtes de Provence, France, 2023

Produced by the Château d’Esclans, Whispering Angel is the Provençal rosé par excellence. Featuring a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Vermentino grapes from the Esclans Valley and nearby Côtes de Provence, the apricot-pink wine is dry and medium-bodied, with a fresh entry of red berry and floral notes rounded out by a creamy and smooth finish. 

Hampton Water Rosé, Languedoc, France, 2022

Combining the laidback luxury of the Hamptons with French winemaking expertise, Hampton Water Rosé is a collaboration between rockstar Jon Bon Jovi, his son Jesse, entrepreneur Ali Thomas, and renowned French winemaker Gérard Bertrand. Blended from Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Syrah grapes, the wine is lively and bright, with aromas of strawberries, cherries and citrus. A herbal touch reveals a sapid, mineral finish.

Business class

Planeta Rosé, Sicily, Italy, 2022

Fresh and fruity, Planeta Rosé is a blend of Nero d’Avola and Syrah grapes from the vineyards of Menfi. A bouquet of hibiscus encounters notes of wild strawberries, blackberries and melon. The wine is medium-bodied and has an elegant and lively palate of meringue and peaches.

Nittnaus Rosé Zweigelt, Burgenland, Austria, 2022

This rosé is produced from Zweigelt grapes grown in the warm Pannonian climate of Burgenland, eastern Austria. The wine is clean and fruity on the nose with aromas of raspberries, strawberries and a hint of herbal spice. It is lively on the palate, with an elegant acidity and a charming finish.

Mirabeau X Rosé, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, France, 2022 

Light and airy, the salmon-pink Mirabeau X is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Grenache Blanc grapes sourced from the hillsides north of the Bouches-du-Rhône. The rosé has intense aromas of yellow peaches, nectarines, pears, and melons with a hint of almond flower. The round palate has flourishes of frangipane, peach and citrus, leading to a fresh and delicious finish.