How does flying at high altitude affect the taste of wine?
I can appreciate a wine offered during a flight. It is not uncommon to be offered a selection of wines, but since pressurised cabins affect your taste, does it make sense? Can you assume that your personal preferences on the ground remain the same at high altitude? Is there any research on how your taste changes?
Best Answer
Taste is dulled at altitude, which is one reason airline food tends to have far more salt, garlic, and other strong flavors. You are correct that you can't assume that your preferences in the air will be identical to on the ground. You may find that red wines taste better in the air, for example. The best advice is to try different flavors and see what you like in the environment. You can also try to book flights on the B787 ("Dreamliner") which has higher air pressure (lower cabin altitude) and higher humidity.
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Does wine change with altitude?
The biggest difference about high altitude is the dryness\u2014you'll need to drink plenty of water, because wine will also dehydrate you, and if your nose and palate are dry, they aren't working as well and a wine's flavors can seem dull. Altitude can also make a wine seem unpleasantly sharp with tannins.What happens to wine at high altitude?
High elevation mountain and hillside vineyards tend to receive more direct and concentrated sunlight \u2013 for every 1,000 feet gain in elevation, the level of UV rays increase by 10-12% - which forces the fruit to develop thicker skin, leading to greater color concentration and stronger tannins.Why does alcohol taste different on a plane?
The conditions in the cabin make all the difference as the pressurized cabin in a plane cruising at 35,000 feet lacks the oxygen and humidity commonly found at sea level. This dramatically distorts your taste buds and is why, after a flight, your nasal passages often feel dry.Why does wine taste better with air?
When your wine mingles with the air, it begins to oxidize, which allows the full flavors of the wine to express themselves. At the same time, some of the harsher, undesirable flavors will evaporate, softening your wine and making it more delicious.Tasting wine at high altitude
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