Famous Death Row Last Meals
Debunking Beer Can Chicken: A Waste Of Good Beer, And Dangerous
Photo: josewolff, Flickr
Airline food is the butt of many a joke, and in most cases deservedly so. One airline is looking to (ahem) rise above that stereotype, however. Virgin America is launching new in-flight wine and food pairings that might make you feel like you're dining in the toniest bistro, not in seat 3G. As the airline announced yesterday, Gary Vaynerchuk, wine connoisseur and host of Wine Library TV, has teamed up with the company to offer "fresh, seasonal menu items" along with premium wines -- some of which will be making their debuts at 35,000 feet.
As befits the California-based airline, the first two wine selections are local: the Turnbull Sauvignon Blanc 2008 and Arrowood 2002 Sonoma County Merlot. More wines will be rolled out over the course of the year, promising to make the red-eye to New York one of the most unusual wine-tasting venues yet. In fact, it hearkens back to the early days of air travel, when people dressed up before heading to the airport; a wine list like this might inspire them to do so again.
"Wine is meant to be experienced in a variety of settings," Vaynerchuk pointed out in the company press release. Fair enough, but maybe not too much variety. The complimentary upscale food pairings, which include fruit and cheese platters (red Leicester and sage derby!), tropical fruit appetizers (pepino melon and lemon verbena!), and poached pear with hazelnut crisp cake, are limited to first class. So, spring for the pricier ticket -- or keep your fingers crossed that you'll get bumped up on your next flight.
PHOTO: Dog Guards Dead Victim's Body After Oklahoma Tornado Disaster
Live from Microsoft's New Generation Xbox event!
Demi Looks FANTASTIC In A Bikini
Xbox Reveal liveblog on Joystiq
Dozens Killed in Oklahoma Tornado; Death Toll to Rise
Man Reportedly Beheaded In Brutal Assault In London Neighborhood
The List #0147: Escape a Car Underwater
Xbox One architecture panel liveblog!
Singer Sues McDonald's, Claims Chicken Sandwich Incident Ruined Her Voice
H&M's Plus-Size Model Jennie Runk Says She Chose To Gain Weight
U.S. Acknowledges Four American Citizens Killed In Drone Strikes
Okla. Sheriff's Deputy Finds Dog Guarding Body Buried Under Destroyed Home
Okla. School Survivor: Teacher 'Saved Our Lives'
Wolf Blitzer's Embarrassing Moment With Tornado Survivor
Selena Gomez Leaving Justin Bieber's House: Booty Call Rumors Swirl
The World's Most Powerful Women
Help For Heroes Killing
PHOTOS: Tornado Aftermath Leaves Trail Of Destruction
White Father Allegedly Suspected Of Kidnapping Biracial Daughters
Mother Dies With Infant During Oklahoma Tornado
NY Times Eviscerates Obama White House
Who Won 'DWTS'?
PHOTOS: Christie Brinkley Gets Back Into A Swimsuit At 59 Years Old
WATCH: Tornado Victim Finds Dog During CBS Interview
Rescuers Continue Search For Tornado Survivors
CBS Reporter's Grave Allegations
Grossed Out Student Finds "Worm" In His McMuffin
WATCH: Mom's Emotional Reunion With Son After Tornado
JODI ARIAS WANTS LIFE
5-05-2010 @10:03PM basketpam said... Does this author realize that the title of her article is VERY misleading. I have a feeling this author does NOT realize that the term "mile high" club actually refers to people who have sexual intercourse while flying. That's where this term comes from, NOT from flying in first class. When I read this I thought, "WOW!" Are they going to be serving wine to people after they "do it" under the covers during flights? If this idea comes from the airlines (which I doubt since they know about this) they'd better rename their campaign and advertising on this idea. If this is just the idea of this author, then she'd better find out exactly what she's talking about before she says stuff like this. Hey, if they start offering special vintage wines for the "mile high" club they might have quite an outbreak of naughty behavior on many of their flights. They give enough of this wine, who knows what sort of behavior they may get on the flights. Those airline hostesses may really have their hands full. They might need more than air marshalls on the airline, they might need chaperones!
Reply
5-06-2010 @2:35AM Brian said... If you want an f-ing good bottle of wine, I guess that's where to go. Otherwise, stay with the zero-mile club on the turf. Get over it, its part of growing up.
5-05-2010 @10:14PM bill said... advertisement for the airline.
Reply
5-05-2010 @10:58PM jim said... Hmmm...fine wine served in plastic. Somehow, that is just WRONG!!!!!!
Reply
5-06-2010 @12:18AM Lora said... I have flown Virgin several times. That plastic cup is huge compared to the one the serve you wine in. On the other hand I did like Virgin over British Air, the planes are newer, better equipped for long boring flights with individual tv screens with games etc to keep you occupied. I didn't like them waking me up to serve me breakfast two hours before landing on a couple of occasions.
Reply
5-06-2010 @12:46AM David said... Just make sure you air out the merlot.You drink merlot that hasn't had a chance to breathe,you'll end up making a grapefruit juice face.I know I do.
Reply
5-06-2010 @6:43AM Steve said... This sounds really nice. I would love to fly this airline.
Reply
5-08-2010 @9:33PM Dennis said... Gee, I was about to book a flight in this airline, supposedly a "low cost" airline, only to see that their ticket prices were DOUBLED what any legacy carrier was charging. I emailed them to ask why, and of course, I got NO REPLY. I guess now, I know! Virgin America, you can keep your ridiculous air fares, and I'll buy my wine elsewhere, too!
Reply
5-08-2010 @9:37PM Kolleen said... I wish all airlines would start doing things like this. I fly a lot and most airlines are getting worse every year. Crappier service, food, planes etc... Props to Virgin America.
Reply
5-09-2010 @9:33AM David S. said... I know some don't like me for saying this, but I think alcohol should be banned on all flights. How many times do we hear about some out-of-control drunk on an airline causing problems? For some it doesn't take much to make like jackasses. With many folks anxious these days about flying and all the problems, just ditch the booze. It's one more problem we don't need. And no, I am not against alchol at all. I like a drink now and then. But honestly if you can't go without alcohol for an entire flight, maybe you have a problem.
Reply