An airline known for its wine in the sky experience, Emirates has launched wine courses to enhance the knowledge of its cabin crew, titling the course: L’art du vin.
The programme was launched in June 2024 at the Emirates Cabin Crew Training College in Dubai, and takes place in a replica lounge containing a horseshoe shaped bar that resembles the A380 Onboard Lounge. Comprised of three levels of proficiency, L’art du vin Introduction, L’art du vin – Business Class and L’art du vin – First Class, the course is designed to enable cabin crew to recommend different wines, food pairings, and improve their knowledge of the wine production process and Emirate’s wine cellar.
While the introductory level teaches new recruits about the basics of wine, wine pouring, and flavour notes, the higher levels provide deeper learning about wine characteristics, wine regions, the impact of climate on wine, and study of top producers and premier cru class estates.
The programme entails eight hours of classroom lessons, at-home study guides, and an accompanying app that allows cabin crew to track their personal tasting notes for future recommendation to customers. The courses are led by a group of cabin crew members, known as wine ambassadors, who have earned the official Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 and 3 certifications. Over 1000 cabin crew have completed the course, with hopes to train a further 22,000 by 2026.
Upon completing the course, participants receive a certificate of achievement and the opportunity to apply for the next level of the programme.
Currently, Emirates provides a choice of one red and one white wine in Economy Class, a selection of sparkling vintage wines, premium red and premium white in Premium Economy, an array of mature Bordeaux, Spanish and Australian wines in Business Class, and a range of vintages such as Louis Latour Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru Les Demoiselles 2014 and Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2019 in First Class.
