Cheers for Thomson

If you like a tipple on your holiday flight, Thomson Airways has the best red wine to raise a glass to, according to Skyscanner’s 2012 Airline Wines Awards.

A panel of wine experts was asked to blind taste 21 economy class wines served on the major European carriers. Thomson was the clear winner for Finca La Linda, Cabernet Sauvignon 2011. SAS was second choice with Turkey’s leading budget carrier, Pegasus Airlines, in third.

Judges agreed the overall quality of white wines was particularly high, with Lufthansa edging out KLM and easyJet. Last year’s winners, easyJet (white) and BA (red) have both released a new range of on-board wines this year. And the whites from both airlines made the top five.

KLM and Pegasus were the most consistent performers, featuring in the top five white and red wines. KLM is the only airline to appear in the top five for each category two years in a row.

Tom Cannavan, one of the 12 wine experts and international travellers who made up the judging panel for Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.net), said: “Lufthansa is clearly showcasing some of the best of German wine-making with a really punchy Riesling, while Thomson’s customers should see their holiday start on a high note with such a high quality wine on offer from a good Argentine producer. Good on Thomson for putting such a nice wine in front of its customers.”