I’ve long whinged to anyone who’d listen (no one) that Qantas have been pulling swifties with their onboard business class Champagnes. The menus listed “one of” four Champagnes ranging from Duval-Leroy (cheap rubbish) up to the very acceptable NV Taittinger. Duval appeared (in my experience) on 19/20 sectors and the other cheap (but not quite as awful) Jacquard MosaÃque appeared the other 5% of the time. Taitinger - the good stuff - never once made an appearance. False advertising in my book.
Anyway, I’m sure I wasn’t the only person to notice or to vocally make the point to Qantas in a variety of ways, but finally this week I noticed that Qantas have reprinted the J class menus omittiing the decent champagnes entirely and just listing the Duval and Jacquard. And in fact, QF 12 on Tuesday this week had the Jacquard loaded on board instead of the Duval.
And while we’re on the subject, the Qantas First Lounges usually DO have the Taitinger on hand, but it had fallen off the list in LAX this week and the options were (just) Pommery and Perrier-Jouet. I wonder why?
I spoke with one person who is closely linked to the buying etc. They said Qantas was definitely trying to lower their champagne bill. Even trying to get people to switch to cocktails instead in the international lounges. If you want the good champagne best get a First class seat, the last bastion. Or the other airlines.
What a surprise - Qantas "nickel and dime" attitude hits J class beverages. Do they really believe Australian business travellers think any and all French champagne must be great? What next - a pie and sauce for J class dinner, served in a bag?
Since when is Duval Leroy "cheap rubbish"? It is quite pricey (more than Moet, Mumm, Veuve Cliquot etc). And to my fairly experienced taste (40+ years of drinking the stuff) it is pretty good.
Qatar have been "nickel and diming" champagne over recent years, dropping to Lanson then Pommery in the past year, and it shows - but the hard product is what makes the difference. NZ has gone up a level to have Laurent Perrier NV which is very decent, and even BA has been lifting its game in champagne. Australian sparking is all very well for premium economy and the Business lounges, but good quality NV champagne should be what is served in Business and in the First lounges (although First cabins and First passengers in the First Lounge should be able to get vintage champagne). It may be a cost, but it is a cost of earning the custom of premium customers.
I was in the Qantas first class lounge in London on Tuesday night. The sparkling wine served there that night was a Croser sparkling nv Picadilly Valley SA. I didn't see or hear of any complaints.
I was in the Qantas first class lounge in London on Tuesday night. The sparkling wine served there that night was a Croser sparkling nv Picadilly Valley SA. I didn't see or hear of any complaints.
No first class QF lounge in London... you were in the QF lounge that has combined business and first. First get Laurent perrier champers.
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Qantas Business Class champagnes
BatteryBen
BatteryBen
Member since 08 Aug 2017
Total posts 46
I’ve long whinged to anyone who’d listen (no one) that Qantas have been pulling swifties with their onboard business class Champagnes. The menus listed “one of” four Champagnes ranging from Duval-Leroy (cheap rubbish) up to the very acceptable NV Taittinger. Duval appeared (in my experience) on 19/20 sectors and the other cheap (but not quite as awful) Jacquard MosaÃque appeared the other 5% of the time. Taitinger - the good stuff - never once made an appearance. False advertising in my book.
pearsonlive
pearsonlive
Member since 10 Jul 2015
Total posts 9
And then every other Platinum would complain that the sparkling wine offered was not Champagne. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Metoo
Metoo
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 25 Nov 2016
Total posts 93
I spoke with one person who is closely linked to the buying etc. They said Qantas was definitely trying to lower their champagne bill. Even trying to get people to switch to cocktails instead in the international lounges. If you want the good champagne best get a First class seat, the last bastion. Or the other airlines.
tommygun
tommygun
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
Member since 16 Oct 2017
Total posts 282
What a surprise - Qantas "nickel and dime" attitude hits J class beverages. Do they really believe Australian business travellers think any and all French champagne must be great? What next - a pie and sauce for J class dinner, served in a bag?
wjhu
wjhu
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Jan 2011
Total posts 22
Since when is Duval Leroy "cheap rubbish"? It is quite pricey (more than Moet, Mumm, Veuve Cliquot etc). And to my fairly experienced taste (40+ years of drinking the stuff) it is pretty good.
Metoo
Metoo
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 25 Nov 2016
Total posts 93
As above, yes Duval Leroy is a reputable champagne producer in the Champagne district. Though the name is not on the star list it has good cred's.
Libertyscott
Libertyscott
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Aug 2011
Total posts 19
Qatar have been "nickel and diming" champagne over recent years, dropping to Lanson then Pommery in the past year, and it shows - but the hard product is what makes the difference. NZ has gone up a level to have Laurent Perrier NV which is very decent, and even BA has been lifting its game in champagne. Australian sparking is all very well for premium economy and the Business lounges, but good quality NV champagne should be what is served in Business and in the First lounges (although First cabins and First passengers in the First Lounge should be able to get vintage champagne). It may be a cost, but it is a cost of earning the custom of premium customers.
Racala
Racala
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 22 May 2018
Total posts 64
I was in the Qantas first class lounge in London on Tuesday night. The sparkling wine served there that night was a Croser sparkling nv Picadilly Valley SA. I didn't see or hear of any complaints.
stompsy
stompsy
Member since 06 Jun 2017
Total posts 26
No first class QF lounge in London... you were in the QF lounge that has combined business and first. First get Laurent perrier champers.