A dream flight to Cape Town

You’re surrounded by British chic the moment you step onto the aircraft. The flights are all the same, offering you a glass of Champagne before every takeoff? Yes, they are. Except this one is at the perfect temperature. And, to set the tone for you before leaving, I’m going to try British Airways’ “award-winning selection of fine wines and Champagne,” just for you.

Jancis Robinson, Financial Times wine correspondent, co-author of The World Atlas of Wine and one of the rare women Masters of Wine (just like our prized contributor Fiona Morrison), has picked classic wines from Europe and the best from the New World. That’s the basics. The decor surrounding me looks like the inside of a boat: mahogany, caramel and brown tones, with a bouquet of white roses taking pride of place in the centre of the cabin. The sea-blue velvet cushions are over-so soft. The First Class seats are separated from one another, unless two of you are travelling together. In which case, you’ll be in the middle of the cabin. You’ve got it: I’m travelling alone, so anything’s possible! We’ll see. A hostess brings me some sea-blue pyjamas: I feel like I’m going to sleep like a baby and write up a brief condensed piece on the wines for you in the end. At least, I hope babies always sleep “like babies” as I’m lucky enough to have two examples right behind me!

But before making you relive the extraordinary adventures of this flight, let me tell you about the rest of my previous trip. For those of you who might have an ever so slightly failing memory and/or not read the last article, and/or for those who remember it: I’d got to know the person sitting next to me, we’d had a drink together, talked about the magazine and he became the first subscriber to NumberWine in flight. A little later on during the flight, he lost his glasses and we all found ourselves on all-fours with the stewards looking for them. Last week during a Bordeaux tasting and dinner, the person next to me reminded me nicely that we’d already met, and we’d even travelled together. Really? Are you sure? “Yes, I’m the lost glasses guy!” So there you have it. Some will say: “At the end of the day, it’s a small world!”… I’d add: especially in an airplane cabin! Thinking about it again at this precise moment, the two babies who spent those eleven hours onboard behind me, I’m convinced I’ll meet them again… But I’d be lying claiming that babies sleep “like babies.” In 2009, they invented a new thing: “We can scream like babies for eleven hours!”

Some delicious hot canapés came with another glass of Champagne Pol Roger Brut 1999. Followed by a warm cheese and fig tartlet lying on a bed of Puy lentils. “Would you like a green salad before your main course?” Yes of course. Today’s fish is halibut served with a potato and leek pancake, accompanied by gooseberry chutney and parsley sauce. The chef Vineet Bathia, who put the first class menu together, was the first Indian chef to get a star for his restaurant Rasoi in London. I finally give in to temptation with Vineet Bathia’s rose water pannacotta. Camomile tea is perfect for bringing this feast to a close and fall into Morpheus’ arms… At least, try to sink into them… forgetting the babies crying.

Let’s come back to those wines for a couple of minutes, I tried all of them: a Meursault Les Clous 2006, Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils, one of Burgundy’s oldest winegrowing families. Twelve of their wines are Grand Cru and twenty-seven Premier Cru. What a delightful and soothing start to a long trip. I also tasted the Amayna Sauvignon Blanc 2007 from Leyda Valley in Chile. Top stuff too, but my European roots bring me closer to the Meursault that evening. One final white: Glen Carlou, a Chardonnay 2007 from Paarl in South Africa, a wine I know well and one we’ve already talked about in a previous issue when we met the owner Donald Hess. Three reds in front of me now: Springfield Estate Whole Berry Cabernet 2006, a glass of Château Cantemerle 1999 Haut Médoc Grand Cru Classé, a classic you’ll never get bored of; not me anyway. And, to finish with, my favourite: a Châteauneuf-du-Pape Closerie de Vaudieu 2006. I told you the choice of wines was outstanding, didn’t I!

I’d be lying if I told you I had a conversation with a neighbour: I spent the journey thinking about the many topics we’re going to develop for you in the near future. To comfort me during this, in the end very lonely trip, with the exception of my baby neighbours who I’d have gladly given a few sips of Château Coutet 1998 Premier Cru Classé to; a Sauternes-Barsac that would have put them to sleep for sure. A very epicurean and very comfortable trip. And a school report with the comment “with our congratulations.”

Patricia Lepic