Alcoholic beverages

JAL wine selection

JAL First Class passengers can enjoy specially selected wines from around the world. Pair a glass with a fine meal and enjoy a quality moment with us.
JAL has brought onboard Kenichi Ohashi, Master of Wine and Motohiro Okoshi, who has made his mark far and wide as a wine taster and wine director. Under their advisement, JAL have carefully selected wines that we invite you to pair with your meal and enjoy.

Some selections were awarded Gold, Silver medals from the world knowned wine competition, International Wine Challenge.

• JAL Wine Advisor Kenichi Ohashi's profile

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  Kenichi Ohashi
  Master of Wine

  Master of Wine is an international qualification created in 1953 by the London-based Institute of Masters of Wine.
  It is regarded as the most prestigious qualification in the wine industry.
  Born in 1967. Native of Tochigi Prefecture.
  Developed his knowledge of wine and sake by managing the family sake retail business, Yamajin Co., Ltd., based in Utsunomiya City.
  Acquired the world's highest wine qualification, Master of Wine, in 2015.
  Established a firm position in the global wine industry.
  Serves as a judge for many wine competitions across the world, such as the International Wine Challenge (IWC), held in London, one of the biggest wine competitions in the world.
  Awarded “IWC Personality of the Year 2016”.

• JAL Wine Advisor Motohiro Okoshi's profile

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  Motohiro Okoshi
  Wine Taster

  • 2003 winner of first JALUX WINE AWARD
  • Popular lecturer at ACADEMIE DU VIN
  • International Sommelier Assocation, International A.S.I Sommelier

  Born on April 24, 1976 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. Joined the service industry after working as bartender. Facinated by wines, he went to France and on returning to Japan, acquired a sommelier qualification in 2000. After participating in competitions and achieving experiences, he went to France again from 2006 for 2.5 years to deepen his understanding of wines. He continues to visit wineries and producers and communicate the essense of wines as Japan's first wine taster. Also knowledgeable of Japanese sake and sochu, which he highly acclaimed for creating the perfect match of wine, Japanese sake and cuisine.

Wine list

Salon 2007

Only Jal's First Class passengers, can enjoy the privilege of savoring the highest quality Champagne "Salon" in the stratosphere. Since it's very first vintage released in 1921, Salon's trademarks are the harmony of higly condensed, yet clear saltiness and acidity, along with a tight, strong body.
The 2007 vintage features intriguing characteristics such as fresh citrus, white pepper and chalky effervescence with nuances of minerals. As its temperature rises, flavors of pear and bread expand to create a more intricate aroma. This is a beautifully balanced, dry Champagne with a lingering afternote.
Relax and enjoy Salon's elaborate flavor, a special indulgence just for our First Class passengers.

Louis Roederer Cristal 2009

Cristal is one of the world’s oldest prestige cuvées, produced with quintessential Louis Roederer winemaking techniques. Cristal’s origin can be traced back to an 18th century anecdote; Alexander II, Czar of Russia, who had cherished Louis Roederer’s Champagnes, requested for one to be specially bottled in crystal bottles which would symbolize his fame. This wine is crafted from meticulously selected, top quality grapes harvested in their own vineyard. After bottling, Cristal is released only after a long maturation period of 6 years on average. Handmade in every aspect, pursuing the zenith of quality, this Champagne is in a class of its own. While the region of Champagne generally suffers dodgy weather in 6 out of 10 years, 2009 was a lucky year when winemakers could arbitrarily determine the best timing to harvest grapes ripened to absolute perfection. As a result, 2009 has become a noble vintage and a reflection of the impeccable terroirs which are the pride of Maison Louis Roederer. The Cristal 2009 vintage offers gentle flavors of pear and citrus, along with a yeasty hint of pain de mie, intricately mingled together. With itssuper-fine bubbles, thisis a dainty, soft cuvée with an impressive velvety taste on the palate from your firstsip to the last. Savorthe pleasant fruitiness and fresh, well-balanced acidity. The afternote lingers as you glide through the stratosphere.

Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2018

Giant Steps was established in 2002. Situated in Australia’s Yarra Valley, this winery owns 6 different vineyards.
Their concept focuses on expressing the unique characteristics of each single vineyard’s terroir. For that reason, although the winemaking may be simple, each plot only yields a very limited volume of grapes.
Nuances of white peach and pear mingle with multiple layers of aromas evoking cinnamon and citrus.
You can sense the fresh fruit on your palate and clear acidity from the first sip to the very last.
Enjoy the soft, silky and well-toned taste of this delightful, dry Chardonnay.
〔Koshu〕

Albert Bichot Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Sorbets 2016

Albert Bichot is a renowned negotiant situated in Bourgogne, France.
This Morey-Saint-Denis is produced solely from Pinot Noir harvested at a 1er Crus clos christened "Les Sorbets." A subtle flavor of cloves chases the extremely pure and pompous red berry aroma.
Fresh acidity, fruitiness and silky tannins, plus the elegant and complex afternote give you lasting pleasure as you sip this wine.
〔Pinot Noir〕

Japanese Wine Craftspeople

Here is an introduction to a couple of wines made by Japanese overseas.

Chateau Igai Takaha SONO Pinot Noir 2016

This is the flagship wine of Chateau Igai Takaha, a winery named after the owner's family crest.
It was made the owner's wife, Miyoko Sugimoto, in mind. SONO is from a nickname for his wife's maiden name, Sonoda.
A sophisticated blend of bold fruitiness and refined acidity alongside a strong minerality make this a jewel of a wine.

KUSUDA Martinborough Pinot Noir 2017 (Japan=London / Paris route)

Ask any of the wine experts around the world, and they will attest to thebrilliant wines being produced by a rare breed: a Japanese winemaker, Kusuda in New Zealand.
Lush cranberry and plum notes are complemented by flavors evoking cloves and cinnamon, choreographing a complex aroma. Expansive acidity and well-matured, yet still fresh fruitiness emanate a rich and profound taste on your palate. Finely textured tannins and the long-lasting flavors segue into this wine's smooth, delightful afternote.
〔Pinot Noir〕

• *Please use the inflight meal search screen for more information about brands and the routes that serve them.
• *Brands are subject to change. As supply is limited, your preference may not be available.

Japanese Rice Wine (Sake)

We offer a broad selection of Japanese sake that are often difficult to find.
Our shochu options are the well-knowned "Moriizo" and "Kanehachi".

Some selections were awarded Gold, Silver medals from the world knowned wine competition, International Wine Challenge "Sake Department".

Japanese Rice Wine (Sake) list

Hakurakusei

Founded in 1873. Hakurakusei’s sake maker/oenologist is proud of his numerous experiences as an invited judge at sake competitions since he was quite young.
Niizawa Brewery’s credo is producing “Supreme sake for fine dining” through their brewing process, based on their unquestionably accurate palate and 5 senses. Many of Hakurakusei’s sakes have garnered top positions at the prestigious “SAKE COMPETITION” that boasts the world largest number of contenders, and it is widely renowned as a sake brewer of “Quality First”.
This sake was created as bespoke sake for JAL, taking into consideration the barometric pressure and unique environment when airborne at 30,000+ feet in altitude.
Please relax and enjoy this karakuchi (brut) sake that superbly educes the inherent charm of any cuisine’s ingredients, whether Japanese or western.
Kanpai!
〔Miyagi Prefecture〕

Isojiman

Isojiman Brewery was founded in the latter part of the Edo era (1830) in a harbor town, nowYaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture,where you can smellthe fresh sea air offthe Pacific, which led to the name of the Sake,“Isojiman (pride in itsrocky seashore)”.
This brewery is very obsessive about Sake production; in fact they insist on using only “Yamadanishiki” rice harvested in the Special-A ranked rice field in Hyogo Prefecture, which is regarded as the cream-of-the-crop in rice for Sake production, helping them to produce an ultimately fine Sake.
At the G8 Hokkaido Summit 2008 held at Lake Toya, “Isojiman” was served at a special reception hosted by the Prime Minister and his wife for the toast, which was well appreciated by the heads ofstate ofthe G8 member countries. Isojimanwon Gold Awards in both the “Junmai Daiginjo” and “Junmai” categories at the 2010 International Wine Challenge, proof that Isojiman Brewery istruly one of the great Sake houses of Japan.
〔Shizuoka Prefecture〕

Non-alcoholic beverages