NEWS & OFFERS: British Airways new wines in Club & First and Red by Dufry status match

Red by Dufry status match

If you use World Duty Free at Heathrow, you can now earn Avios on your shopping through the Red by Dufry app which also gives discounts of up to 10% depending on your tier. Even if you don’t want the Avios, it is worth doing the simple status match to get the maximum discount of up to 10% as a Platinum card holder.

First, you will need to register as a Red member here. Then, you can go to the status match page here. 

You will be informed within three business days whether or not your status match has been approved. Once approved, the platinum status may take up to 5 business days to show in your account. I have submitted mine today so I will report back on how long it takes.

Pretty much all the main hotels and airlines are part of it, but for hotels, you will need the equivalent of Gold status. With BA status, even Bronze will do!

British Airways – new wines in Club & First plus Red

I mentioned in a previous article that I had been to the British Airways press Xmas party last week which yielded some interesting announcements. While there, I also got a chance to try some of the upcoming and current wines in Club and First. BA is the only airline to employ a full-time wine master, and I do think there has been an improvement in the long haul wines since Tim took over. You can read my interview with Tim here or watch below.

The wines onboard long haul flights change every three months with a new BA destination as the inspiration. Below you can find the current wines and the new wines from January.

Oct-Dec 2023: Santiago and the wines of central Chile

First

Viña Leyda, Lot 5 Chardonnay 2022, Leyda, Chile

Viña Leyda pioneered this premier, cool-climate region, and Lot 5 is their top, single-vineyard Chardonnay. Aging in barrels, foudres and concrete gives sophisticated layers of spice, nuts and minerality over a core of vibrant citrus fruit – Chile meets white Burgundy. Great with richer seafood and poultry dishes.

Undurraga, Founder’s Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Maipo, Chile

Undurraga have made wine since 1885 and the Founder’s Collection comes from their original estate in Maipo, Chile’s finest region for Cabernet Sauvignon. 30% new oak adds a vanilla kiss to classic Cabernet blackcurrant and a hint of mint, with a plush texture and fine-grained tannins. Good for lamb or duck.

This was one of my favourite wines of the tasting. Classic cab sav with lots of blackcurrant flavours. 

Club World

Ventisquero, Queulat Gran Reserva Unoaked Chardonnay 2022/2023, Leyda, Chile

Queulat is a single-vineyard Chardonnay from Las Terrazas Vineyard, in Chile’s cool, coastal Leyda valley. This has pure white peach and lemon, with creamy overtones and some bay leaf herbal complexity, and signature, vibrant Leyda acidity. Good for fresh fish or poultry.

I would recommend this wine even if you think you don’t like chardonnay. It is a million miles away from the buttery, oaky new world style of Chardonnay that most people think of and has plenty of fruit. 

Bisquertt, La Joya Single Vineyard Syrah Marchihue 2022, Colchagua, Chile

Colchagua is home to Chile’s rising star, Syrah, and here family-owned Bisquertt make La Joya. Deep purple, with floral and white pepper notes over plush, ripe damson and blackberry, La Joya’s dark fruit depth balances its firm tannins. Good for spicy, duck or beef dishes.

Jan-Mar 2024: Madrid and Rioja

First

Ramón Bilbao, Límite Norte Blanco Reserva Rioja 2019, Rioja, Spain

Límite Norte represents the new wave of white Rioja, with innovative varieties, Tempranillo Blanco and Maturana Blanca, and careful oak aging. These give intriguing whitecurrant and tropical aromas, with floral notes and subtle vanilla; characterful, fresh, deep and long. Great with richer seafood and poultry dishes.

This makes a great change from the usual Burgundy I would have in first and has a more modern style than many other white Riojas. 

La Rioja Alta, Viña Ardanza Reserva Rioja 2016, Rioja, Spain

Viña Ardanza, from the great 2016 vintage, is a benchmark of classical Rioja, aged long enough that it could be labelled Gran Reserva. An intensely aromatic blend of vanilla, balsamic and dill, with dried red cherries and tobacco, and the finesse, depth and length of 2016. Great with braised or stewed lamb.

I’m not always a red Rioja fan, but I really enjoyed this as the tannins were subtle and being older, it had more complexity to it. 

Club World

Izadi, Selección Blanco Rioja 2022, Rioja, Spain

Like most white Rioja, this is mainly made from Viura grapes, but unusually also uses all 5 other local white varieties. Pale gold, a touch of oak adds nutty complexity, with layers of pear, apple and white peach fruit, and bright acidity. Great with chicken and cheese.

Rolland & Galarreta, R&G Tempranillo Rioja Alavesa 2018, Rioja, Spain

Michel Rolland has shaped this modern-style Rioja, using pure Tempranillo and French oak barrels. This adds woodsmoke, vanilla and mocha complexity to balsamic notes and ripe red cherry, with a velvet texture and great length. Good for roast lamb, beef or venison.