No more Whining about the Wine

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Mon, 05/22/2006 - 08:46 — Richard Sweet

Just thinking about a recent Southwest experience that probably wouldn't happen at many other companiesÃ¢â‚¬¦I got an email inviting me to a wine tasting on the second floor of our building. Free wineÃ¢â‚¬¦ sure I'll be thereÃ¢â‚¬¦ but why me? Ah-haÃ¢â‚¬¦to make sure our onboard wine selection holds true to the Southwest brand. Who will be there besides meÃ¢â‚¬¦in case I need a ride homeÃ¢â‚¬¦a few officers (not cops), a few directors, managers, specialists, coordinators and of course, a lawyerÃ¢â‚¬¦the makings of a Southwest Airlines partyÃ¢â‚¬¦I can definitely attend.

Ever thought about what goes into the wine selection for Southwest Airlines flights? If you're a true connoisseur of fine wine, your answer probably is Ã¢â‚¬¦not muchÃ¢â‚¬¦ I'm a novice at best when it comes to wine but I know I can distinguish an Opus One from a Boone's Farm and I'm proud and sad to say I've had them bothÃ¢â‚¬¦Keep in mind the wine must come in a miniature bottle and have a screw off topÃ¢â‚¬¦oh noÃ¢â‚¬¦not another Strawberry Hill experienceÃ¢â‚¬¦ it's been 32 years since my last Ã¢â‚¬¦I'm 48Ã¢â‚¬¦ you do the math.

Much to my surprise, there were 32 varieties of wines to tasteÃ¢â‚¬¦.Chardonnay, Merlot (is the T silent?), Cabernet Whatever (not really, I just can't spell savenjeon), and (yuk) White ZinÃ¢â‚¬¦ which I refused to consume. So take out the 3 White Zins and that leaves you 29 bottles of wine on the wallÃ¢â‚¬¦they pour about 2 - 3 ounces per tasteÃ¢â‚¬¦87 ounces of wineÃ¢â‚¬¦two-thirds of a gallonÃ¢â‚¬¦ and then I'm supposed to meet a friend for a drink laterÃ¢â‚¬¦I'll need that ride and I'm sleeping in on Saturday morning.

As the afternoon went onÃ¢â‚¬¦did I mention this started at 4 (p.m.)Ã¢â‚¬¦everyone got pretty funnyÃ¢â‚¬¦even the lawyerÃ¢â‚¬¦better be carefulÃ¢â‚¬¦When we finished and were of sound body and mind, we discussed our final rankings. To be consistent with our brand, we needed a wine of good quality and, of course, one that is inexpensive (if you want expensive, use the money you save flying Southwest and indulge).

One label finished first or second in the red and white categories and to our delight, the Vendange (pronounced "Von-donj") Cabernet Whatever and Chardonnay met our price requirements. So don't worry, our wine selection won't lead us to raise your air faresÃ¢â‚¬¦if only choosing jet fuel was as easyÃ¢â‚¬¦hmm, some of the stuff tasted like jet fuel Ã¢â‚¬¦oh yes, we have stopped serving White Zin. Now, when is that vodka tasting?

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Comments

Great blog entry Richard. As an "Adult Beverage" connoisseur, I was sad to hear that
Southwest will not carry Crown Royal anymore. The reason I was told is that they are
changing the shape of their bottles and it will not fit in the drink trays. Has someone contacted
them and told Crown Royal how much money they would be losing not having Southwest
as a Customer. I know I have spent a pretty penny on Southwest Flights purchasing
Crown Royal. If you ever have a "Liqour Tasting" to replace Crown, please put my name
at the top of the list.

Vincent — Mon, 05/22/2006 - 18:39

You are a very funny drunk. Really.

Joe Lamkin — Mon, 05/22/2006 - 20:09

Did you happen to be drinking out of a ladies shoe? ;)

Sally — Mon, 05/22/2006 - 21:15

From what I was told by a very reputable source higher up in the company is Crown Royal feels that their brand is "big enough" and doesn't need the promotion via mini-bottles that cost them quite a bit to produce so they are doing away with them and we will be receiving Maker's Mark onboard instead. I don't drink the stuff myself but I have heard that Maker's Mark is a better blended whiskey anyways. Even better...cheap fares, premium liquor!!!

Matt — Tue, 05/23/2006 - 17:37

Maker's Mark, huh? Pretty good stuff.

Paige — Wed, 05/24/2006 - 16:32

I agree with Joe -- The "chair dance" says it all...

Speaking of dances, I remember something along those lines about Joe, too...

Charles Zug — Wed, 05/24/2006 - 22:05

The decision to remove Crown Royal as a Customer offering was based on; as with all product onboard SWA flights;
Customer Service from the vendor, distribution, pricing, availability, and SWA fit.

Frank Porter — Fri, 05/26/2006 - 16:25

Makers Mark is a great Kentucky Bourbon. However, that means two bourbons (Makers and Wild Turkey). Does Herb know that his beloved "Wild" will have competition? And while I am a Bourbon man, my wife is very dissapointed that the White Zin is gone.

Ed Melton — Sat, 05/27/2006 - 18:33

Where did the blog by the SWA flight attendant go??? Was it sanitized/removed for some reason??! I thought it was a great article!

Matt — Mon, 05/29/2006 - 01:32

Matt,
The posts stay active on the home page for about two weeks, then they roll to the archives. Carole's post in still here, it is under "Working at Southwest" and "Flying." You're right, it is a great article, and we will be posting more from Carole soon.
Brian

Brian Lusk — Mon, 05/29/2006 - 13:39

I'm afraid Vendange Chardonnay is a step down from Beringer Chardonnay in quality. Given the subjectivity of wine tasting, it sure would be nice if Southwest offered 2-3 vendor choices. I understand I won't be getting a Babcock Pinot Noir or a Sanford Chardonnay, but there must be something other than Vendange available...

Terry — Thu, 08/10/2006 - 18:55

ALL TO YOU SOUTHWEST PEOPLE,.,I THINK YOU SHOULD DO NO MORE ADS THINK OF THE MONEY YOUR COMPANY WILL SAVE
SW IS THE FIRST PLACE I LOOK FOR CHEAP SEATSTHE USA
KNOW SW IS THE BEST CHEAP FLIGHTS AROUND

RAYMOND COCHRAN — Thu, 06/07/2007 - 20:27

I am in no way a wine a connoisseur! I don't care if it's the most or least expensive wine. I don't care what it smells like or where the grapes came from. All I care about is the taste. And the wine I like the most is Moscato. Mixed with a little Riesling and it's even better. How about these?

Hope — Thu, 08/20/2009 - 14:20

I am a huge SWA fan but the beer selection is frustrating. I don't know anyone who drinks the lagers they serve. Yes, real beer costs more but if it is worth doing it is worth doing well. I'd gladly pay more for an IPA or Bock or, well, you get the picture.

I suspect some small brewery would be glad to offer SWA a deep discount for the ability to get their name in front of thousands of SWA flyers every day.

Cheers

Mark Lakin — Thu, 01/28/2010 - 01:39

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