Cellars in the Sky judges raise their glass to oneworld

Judges at the Cellars in the Sky Awards have raised their glasses to the oneworld® alliance and many of its member airlines.

oneworld was awarded the title of the Best Alliance for the wines served in-flight by its member airlines.

oneworld's member airlines fared well in the other award categories, taking six of the 12 first prizes, along with 24 runners-up awards.

Qantas won four of the top prizes - for Best First Class Cellar; Best Red Wine served in First Class, won by its Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2005; Best Fortified or Sweet Wine served in First Class, won by its Morris of Rutherglen Old Premium Liqueur Tokay; and Best Presented Wine List.

Cathay Pacific made two trips to the winners' podium - for Best Business Class Wine Cellar and Best Red Wine served in Business Class, for its Spy Valley Pinot Noir Marlborough 2007.

oneworld member airlines were also awarded four of the top five spots for Best First Class Cellar - with American Airlines, British Airways and Cathay Pacific runners-up behind Qantas.

oneworld members also accounted for four of the top five places for Best Business Class Cellar - with LAN and again American Airlines and British Airways runners up, this time behind Cathay Pacific.

The 25th Cellars in the Sky Awards were run by Business Traveller magazine, in association with the International Wine Challenge.

A panel of five leading experts blind-tasted more than 220 wines served on longhaul flights by 34 airlines from around the world.

The judging planel said: "An award-winning wine has to obey the general rules of what works in the air, but it has to have elegance and balance as well.

"Various elements in a wine, such as tannin in reds, and acidity in whites, seem to stick out more in the air. So we look for smooth, not too alcoholic reds, and crisp but gentle whites.