“Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!” – the legendary words of a French Benedictine monk in the 17th century. His name: Dom Perignon. That name was immortalised when Moët & Chandon named their prestige cuvée after him, but sadly the native of Champagne never got to experience the drink in First Class.
Passengers of Emirates, however, will be treated to the exclusive Dom Pérignon Vintage 2005, and the Dom Pérignon Vintage Rosé 2003, now available across various routes. The Dubai-based airline has become the largest global partner of the iconic bubbly brand, which can be enjoyed with pairing menus, developed in collaboration with Pascal Tingaud, chef de cuisine at Dom Pérignon – who also has two Michelin stars to his name.
The menu for travellers exiting Dubai is composed of six carefully designed canapés, including cured duck with saffron poached peach; walnut baguette with persian feta cheese, fresh fig, and truffle infused honey, and, wild smoked salmon, lemon and cumin cream cheese on norlander Bread.
“Food and wine pairing has reached its tipping point, in that it is now an expected part of the fine dining experience. We have a likeminded partner in Dom Pérignon, who also strives to bring the dining experience to life and help elevate the rarity and richness of their product,” said Joost Heymeijer, Emirates’ SVP of catering.
The wines:
Dom Pérignon Vintage Rosé 2003: "The 2003 vintage was a real challenge for its creation due to extremes in weather conditions. After an unusually harsh, dry winter, severe frost devastated the grape crop. This was followed by the hottest summer in 53 years. The grapes that miraculously survived the frost and hail were then subject to scorching heat. However, the grapes harvested were mature and healthy, comparable to those of the legendary 1947, 1959 and 1976 harvests. The resulting intensity is unique and paradoxical, hovering between austerity and generosity."
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2005: "The year 2005 was full of contrasts. The weather was mostly warm, with little rain. A heatwave in August was followed by cool, rainy weather in September. Eventually, a drastic selection in the vineyard ensured a limited volume of exceptional quality, with a never-before-seen aromatic maturity. The wine has a strong character and a powerful presence. Overall, it is structured, focused, firm and dense. Its intriguingly spicy, flowery finish remains present in each sip."