Four champagnes on offer now in the SYD F lounge

[Kangol]

The bolly is slipping down quite nicely - just waiting for 11AM to tick over so I can follow up the bacon with some fries

Can you please post some pics of the menu?

 

[Boris spatsky]

Had Ayala in JAL F Lounge in Tokyo - never heard of it, but apparently it is a small French producer, highly regarded. Anyone know more?

 

[oz_mark]

Had Ayala in JAL F Lounge in Tokyo - never heard of it, but apparently it is a small French producer, highly regarded. Anyone know more?

They have a website if it helps: Ayala - Maison de Champagne - Depuis 1860 à Aÿ

 

[Boris spatsky]

Yeah I saw that, thanks. Doesn't really tell me a lot though - was wondering whether they are as highly regarded as the JAL Staff told me they were??

 

[Katie]

My googling brought up a bit more info on Ayala - hard to guess, but they're based in Ay . The house was bought by the Bollinger family in the past 5-10 years - https://www.champagnegallery.com.au/shop/ayala/
Ayala Champagne

There are SO many houses in Champagne, and highly regarded ... well, sure, there are the big, well-known houses, but so many smaller to mid range ones producing excellent champagnes, in their own style.

 

[JohnK]

I have settled on the Delamotte but champagne is not a real drink anyway....

 

[Princess Fiona]

Yeah I saw that, thanks. Doesn't really tell me a lot though - was wondering whether they are as highly regarded as the JAL Staff told me they were??

It used to be the CW standard on BA, numerous posts on FT indicating that Taittinger is held by the BAEC in higher regard FWIW

 

[Febs]

Yeah I saw that, thanks. Doesn't really tell me a lot though - was wondering whether they are as highly regarded as the JAL Staff told me they were??

Went to a champagne tasting night a few years ago at the old Etch in Sydney, hosted by Peter Bourne. Ayala was one of the ones on offer and we rated it pretty highly! There wasn't a bad drop served on the night, but we preferred it to a few others from memory.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[anat0l]

I believe at one point Ayala was the BA Club World standard champagne stocked for a while.

Never tasted it myself, but Bollinger is from the same area.

I think the reaction to Ayala from the FT BA board was mixed, but that said it cannot possibly been as bad as the stalwart Monopole Blue Top.

How did it taste from your point of view? (Have you had any other champagnes before for any possible comparison?)

 

[Boris spatsky]

I love Champagne, hence why i went for it. Have had most of the oneworld F offerings (Taittinger, Bollinger, Bollinger Rose, Delamotte, Dom, Mumm, veuve, billecart salmon, charles hiedsick, piper hiedsick and Lanson etc etc).

I thought it was good, but hard to compare as it was the only one on offer. I think it was closest to Bollinger NV in QF F lounge. Still doesn't beat my first love, Taittinger!

 

[SteveJohnson]

My first visit to the Qantas First lounge last weekend and wow, what a treat! Not the world's biggest fan of champagne but tried the Delamotte, very nice indeed.

Went on advice and sampled several smaller dishes, not than any of them are massive servings anyway, felt a bit like a pig asking for so many (the mozzarella, blue fin tuna, salt and pepper calamari) but the servings were a good size and as I had a one-time only visitor pass and was flying economy I figured I may as well enjoy the meal in the lounge, fill up and not eat at all on my economy flight!

No luck getting a spa booking, all booked out but I figured if I got into the spa it would be a big bonus, as it was I was more than happy just with the food and drink!

Did some searching on the lounge and found that AusBT has the restaurant's "spring menu" available for downloading, link is below. Makes me hungry looking over it but what a good way to plan ahead for your dining on your next visit. Don't think I'll be back there soon though, am a long way off Platinum now.

Sampling the Spring menu at the Qantas First Lounge - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[drewbles]

My first visit to the Qantas First lounge last weekend and wow, what a treat! Not the world's biggest fan of champagne but tried the Delamotte, very nice indeed.

Went on advice and sampled several smaller dishes, not than any of them are massive servings anyway, felt a bit like a pig asking for so many (the mozzarella, blue fin tuna, salt and pepper calamari) but the servings were a good size and as I had a one-time only visitor pass and was flying economy I figured I may as well enjoy the meal in the lounge, fill up and not eat at all on my economy flight!

No luck getting a spa booking, all booked out but I figured if I got into the spa it would be a big bonus, as it was I was more than happy just with the food and drink!

Did some searching on the lounge and found that AusBT has the restaurant's "spring menu" available for downloading, link is below. Makes me hungry looking over it but what a good way to plan ahead for your dining on your next visit. Don't think I'll be back there soon though, am a long way off Platinum now.

Sampling the Spring menu at the Qantas First Lounge - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for sharing too, as I'm going to be passing through on the weekend, so it's good to know what is on the current menu (looks like i'll be trying a few of them rather than the 'ole faithfuls I usually go for).

 

[JessicaTam]

The Nov/Dec issue of Winestate has reviewed Champagne Delamotte and given it 5 stars:

"A powerful, classical nose of toasted brioche, honey and roasted almonds. Buttery, rich, pinot dominated palate. Very stylish and refined with lovely layers of flavour. High levels of dosage."

A pleasant drop, however I still prefer the Tattinger.

 

[JohnK]

The Nov/Dec issue of Winestate has reviewed Champagne Delamotte and given it 5 stars:

They must have been reading my posts in this thread!