ANA Announces New Wine and Sake Line Up with Award-Winning Drink Menu

(Source: ANA HOLDINGS INC.)

All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan's largest 5-Star airline for six consecutive years, has renewed the wine line up and added new Japanese sakes to its in-flight menu selection. ANA's new selections will enhance its award-winning wine menu and continue showcasing ANA's attention to detail when providing passengers with the highest quality of travel experience.

"ANA is honored to curate one of the finest airline wine selections in the world," said Yutaka Ito, Executive Vice President of ANA. "Our wide selection of fine wines meets and surpasses our customers' needs and complement our in-flight meal options. Our goal is to make ANA the best cellar in the skies."

The journey to the new wine selection began August 2017 when approximately 2,800 wines from 18 different countries were reviewed, and 30 experts from around the world came together in a blind taste test to taste about 200 wines. Two sommeliers, who joined ANA's connoisseur program last year, Olivier Poussier, named the Best Sommelier in the World in 2000, and Satoru Mori, the Executive Sommelier of Conrad Tokyo participated in the selection process. They were joined by ANA chefs, staff, and flight attendants with sommelier qualifications.

At the blind taste testing, 54 (28 in-flight/ 26 lounges) wines were eventually selected from a variety of regions, including Japan, Europe, North and South America, Oceania, and South Africa. ANA's own original blended wines will also be offered on ANA international First Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. Furthermore, it will also start providing champagne on Japan domestic Premium Class.

Furthermore, in August 2018, ANA was awarded the highest accolade, “Top International First Class Wines of the Wing” at Global Traveler’s “15th annual Wines on the Wing Airline Wine Competition.” Global Traveler is a known magazine mainly for frequent business and luxury travelers. To find the outstanding wines served on First Class and Business Class international airline flights, Global Traveler invited 23 judges, all wine professionals, to taste wines submitted by the airlines.

Passengers are able to enjoy award-winning wines such as Champagne Krug 2004, first-place winner in the Champagne and Sparkling Wines International First Class category; the Nielson by Byron Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2015, third place in White Wines International First Class; Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru "Morgeot" Maison Louis Latour 2015, second place in Red Wines International First Class; and the Champagne Duval-Leroy Brut Réserve, the third place in Champagnes International Business Class.

Not only the wine selection was enhanced, but also from September, the sake menu will see the addition of Aramasa No. 6 ANA-type Junmai Namazake (Unpasteurized Sake) to the First-Class menu and Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute “Yamahai Ginjo” will be included in Business Class offerings.

The new wine and sake selections will bring a variety of options for ANA passengers, continuing ANA’s commitment to showcasing a high quality travel experience.

ANA Original Wine

Starting in September, the warmly-received ANA original blend wine made by Olivier Poussier and Satoru Mori will be available on ANA First Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class.

Koshu ANA Original Blend 2017

This white wine was produced by Conrad Tokyo's Executive Sommelier, also THE CONNOISSEURS member Satoru Mori. It is characterized by a pure fruit taste and dignified acidity. It will be available on international First Class in North American routes from September till November 2018 and also in Europe routes from June till August 2019.

TOURELLE DE THOLOMIES SY & CN (ANA Original Blend) (red)

TOURELLE DE THOLOMIES CO & SB (ANA Original Blend) (white)

These original wines are made with the support of Oliver Poussier. Despite with spicy taste, the wines still keep the elegant flavor of the fruit. The red wine has the astringent and alcohol sweetness blended softly while the white wine has a light taste and is easy to drink. They will be available on international Premium Economy and Economy Class from September 2018.

Sparkling Wine

Ajimu Sparkling Wine

The two types of sparkling wines are made from high-quality grapes grown by optimizing a climate of wide temperature variation in a foggy basin of Ajimu Town, Usa City, in Oita prefecture. Both will be available on international First Class with the Ajimu Sparkling Wine Rosé 2014 available in September 2018 and the Ajimu Sparkling Wine 2016 available in October and November 2018.

Champagne

Champagne Castelnau - Cuvée Brut Réserve

The floral fragrance of the Champagne is reminiscent of white flowers and gradually adds a scent of biscuits and nuts, which increases its complexity. It has a mellow and plump sour taste and a pleasant mineral feeling with a long finish that is coupled with momentum carbonic acid. It has been served since June and will continue to be served on international Business Class in North America, Europe routes from September 2018.

Champagne Duval-Leroy Brut Réserve

A family-owned champagne maker established in 1859, Duval-Leroy has always been highly acclaimed by wine critics. In this refined and creamy bubbly are gentle acidity and slight bitterness with a lingering brioche accent. It has been served from June and will continue to be served on international Business Class in Asia routes from September 2018.

Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Brut

Persistent ribbons of fine bubbles brighten the appearance on this Champagne. A fresh citrus bouquet of yuzu and kabosu intermingles with pear and Mirabelle plum aromas in an undertone of roasted almond and hazelnut, while the lively, crisp acidity uplifts the experience. It will be available on Japan domestic routes between Haneda and Itami, Sapporo (New Chitose), Fukuoka, and Okinawa, from September 2018.

Japanese Sake

Aramasa No.6 ANA-type Junmai Namazake (Unpasteurized Sake)

We will be serving special edition sake brewed exclusively for ANA by preeminent brewery Aramasa Shuzo, in Akita—a northern prefecture renowned for its sake. The sake was produced using No. 6 yeast, which was discovered by the brewery in 1930. In cooperation with JAPAN CRAFT SAKE COMPANY, LTD., ANA will continue to provide high quality sake to our passengers through the use of low temperature refrigerated storage and distribution. It will be available on international First Class from September to November 2018.

Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute "Yamahai Ginjo"

This brewery was founded by sake master Naohiko Noguchi from the culmination of some 70 years of sake-making life. As you sip its fruity scent and refreshing acidity, savor the soft umami (savory taste) and crisp finish.

Yamahai Ginjo - Available on North American and Europe Business Class from September till November 2018.

Yamahai Daiginjo - Available on international First Class from December 2018 till February 2019.

Yamahai Junmai - Available on North American and Europe business Class from December 2018 till February 2019.