British Airways has appointed Tim Jackson as
Master of Wine.
As the airline’s Master of Wine, Tim will play a
vital role in selecting and tasting potential new wines, curating
menu descriptions, developing the carrier’s wider drinks strategy
and sourcing a diverse range of wines from around the globe for
customers to enjoy in the sky as well as on the ground.
That includes championing the best of British beers, promoting
classic gins and rolling out innovative non-alcoholic
alternatives.
A large part of the role will also include a
sustained focus on taking into consideration differences in flavours, as well as taste and structure changes of beverages at
altitude.
“We are really excited to have Tim at British
Airways. His knowledge and expertise play an integral role in our
efforts to continue to deliver the premium experience that our
customers look for when they fly with us and offer products that
our colleagues are proud to serve,” said Sajida Ismail, Director
of Onboard Experience at British Airways. “Going forward, we also have lots of exciting
plans that will champion new drink offerings and celebrate the
global network that we fly to.”
Tim has already introduced new Sauvignon Blanc and
Pinot Noir wines to the airline’s premium cabins, including Dog
Point Sauvignon Blanc in First and Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc in
Club World, both from Marlborough, New Zealand.
In First, BA this month rolled out a special
Bordeaux selection for the festive season, celebrating the 2010
vintage from both sides of Bordeaux comprising Château Haut-Batailley
and Clos de l’Oratoire.
From January 2023, British Airways will
introduce a wine-selection strategy in First and Club World,
showcasing different destinations across the airline’s network
that produce premium wines. The airline will spotlight one
destination at a time, to celebrate where the wines come from and
the global network that the airline flies to.
Cape Town in South Africa will be the airline’s
first focus, with new wine offerings including Radford Dale’s
Renaissance Chenin Blanc from old vines in Stellenbosch, as well
as Andrea and Chris Mullineux’s benchmark Swartland Syrah from
South Africa’s Winery of the Year.
“I’m delighted to be the first person to take this position at
British Airways,” Tim said. “As an avid traveller, I have sampled wine from
all corners of the globe, ranging from California to Chile, so I
hope my love for travel, together with my experience and knowledge
of beverages, will make a positive difference to the premium
experience we offer our customers.”
