Air France announced the appointment of Xavier Thuizat, the Head Sommelier at Hôtel de Crillon, a Rosewood Hotel, to curate its upcoming selection of wines, champagnes, and spirits across all its travel classes and lounges at Paris airports.
Thuizat, a native of Burgundy, will also introduce a new line of French beers. He was recognized as the Best Sommelier of France in 2022, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2023, and recently received the Michelin Guide’s Grand Prix de la Sommellerie 2024, attesting to the excellence and precision of his selections.
Collaborating with the Air France team, he will conduct blind tastings across France’s wine regions to curate exceptional wines for enjoyment both onboard and in the airport lounges. The wine list will showcase France’s premier grape varieties from regions such as Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhône Valley, Languedoc-Roussillon, the Loire Valley, and Alsace. This selection aims to enhance the passenger experience, making wine choice a focal point of travel with Air France.
Thuizat succeeds Paolo Basso, the 2013 World’s Best Sommelier, who has been creating distinguished wine and champagne lists for the airline since 2014.
“I would like to thank Paolo Basso, who for ten years has been committed to promoting the finest wines from France’s vineyards for all our customers, in our lounges and on board our aircraft. I am delighted to welcome Xavier Thuizat who, I am sure, will continue in this role with just as much talent and passion,” said Fabien Pelous, Air France’s SVP Customer Experience.
Air France provides a diverse selection of fine wines, champagnes, and spirits in all of its travel cabins, including Economy, as well as in its airport lounges, showcasing French vineyards and châteaux. Each year, Air France serves over a million bottles of champagne and more than 8 million bottles of wine to its customers. Remember, excessive alcohol consumption can be harmful to your health, so please drink responsibly.
