British Airways appoints first full-time Master of Wine
Tim Jackson is British Airways’ first full-time Master of Wine, and just one of a select number in the world today
As part of its wider commitment to continue to upgrade its product proposition for passengers, British Airways has appointed its first full-time Master of Wine, Tim Jackson MW.
Jackson is one of just 415 Masters of Wine (MWs) in the world currently and will play a vital role in selecting and tasting potential new wines, curating menu descriptions, developing the airline’s wider drinks strategy and sourcing a diverse range of wines from across the globe for customers to enjoy.
He will also lead the selection of the airline’s drinks portfolio across its lounges and on board, with a sustained focus on taking into consideration differences in flavors, as well as taste and structure changes of beverages at altitude.
In a December 19 press release, Jackson said: “I’m delighted to be the first person to take this position at British Airways. As an avid traveler, I have sampled wine from all corners of the globe, ranging from California to Chile, so I hope my love for travel, together with my experience and knowledge of beverages, will make a positive difference to the premium experience we offer our customers.”
Jackson has already introduced new Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines in the airline’s premium cabins, including Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc in First and Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc in Club World, both from Marlborough, New Zealand.
From January 2023, the airline will showcase a different destination each quarter in celebration of the unique wine regions across its global flight network. Cape Town in South Africa will be the airline’s first focus, with new wine offerings including Radford Dale’s Renaissance Chenin Blanc from old vines in Stellenbosch, as well as Andrea and Chris Mullineux’s benchmark Swartland Syrah from South Africa’s Winery of the Year.
