Why some Qantas staff have the Grapes Pin

Why some Qantas staff have the Grapes Pin

Qantas passengers who enjoy a glass of wine inflight can rest assured that the wine has been through a tasting panel before being cleared for take-off.

However, when that wine is being served, have you ever noticed some Qantas staff actually have a pin of a bunch of grapes? Travel Weekly went to Qantas Training HQ to find out what is the deal with the Grapes Pin.

Lead by Qantas Creative Director, Food, Beverage & Service – Neil Perry, The Qantas Rockpool Sommeliers, featuring 16 highly experienced sommeliers and mixologists, recently sat down for the annual wine tasting at the Qantas Training Centre in Sydney.

Tasked with selecting wine, Champagne, spirits and other beverages for Qantas domestic and international flights and lounges, the group of wine experts and mixologists from the Rockpool Restaurant Group tasted some 1400 Australian wines and Champagnes over 4 days.

Among the group is one of only two Master Sommeliers in Australia, Sebastian Crowther, as well as Head Sommeliers and Bartenders of Rockpool restaurants around the country.

Qantas is the 3rd largest purchaser of wine in Australia, investing over $15 million dollars in the Australian Wine industry every year, and even go the extra step to ensure all wines served on board are evaluated for their ability to present well under flying conditions.

So what does that all mean when it comes to the Grapes Pin? More than 300 Qantas cabin crew are currently trained as on board Sommeliers in the Sky, who are trained in formal wine education and sommelier skills to enhance our customers’ inflight dining experience.

Over 2000 Qantas crew have also completed an introductory, intermediate or advanced level of wine training, and throughout each program, cabin crew are guided through the wine making process, grape varieties, wine styles, food matching, and tasting techniques with a focus on Australian varietals.

Now that is reason enough to earn the Grapes Pin.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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