The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ leading historical art museum, taking visitors on a journey through famous Dutch art and historical treasures; from the Middle Ages to Mondriaan. In June 2017, the museum welcomed its 10 millionth visitor since it reopened in 2013 following a full renovation. KLM is partner in transport to the Rijksmuseum.

The five wines originate from leading vineyards such as Boschendal (South Africa) and Lapostolle (Chile). With these unique wine labels, KLM hopes to whet the appetites of its World Business Class passengers for Dutch culture and to encourage them to visit the Rijksmuseum, where they can marvel at the actual paintings.

During the tasting event, the panel conducted blind tests on four different wines, three of which were ultimately selected. The wines selected will be served on board in KLM’s World Business Class in 2017. They are all superb wines produced from the Pinot Blanc, Rivaner and Auxerrois grape varieties.

Experience on board
KLM has served other wines from vineyard De Kleine Schorre over the past ten years and has received numerous favourable responses. Dutch and international passengers alike appreciate these delicious wines cultivated on Dutch soil.

About vineyard De Kleine Schorre
With 42,000 vines stretching across 10 hectares of land, vineyard De Kleine Schorre is one of the biggest in the Netherlands. The vineyard was established in 2001 and is located in Dreischor, a traditional Zeeland circular village on the island of Schouwen-Duivenland.

Would you like to find out more about vineyard De Kleine Schorre & the wines of Zeeland? Check out the KLM Blog:

The unique wine labels are intended to kindle KLM passengers’ enthusiasm for Dutch culture and tempt them to visit the superb “Dutch Masters” exhibition at the Mauritshuis, where the depicted works will be on display in their full glory.

Taste
People experience tastes and aromas differently during flight due to factors including cabin pressure and humidity. One’s ability to taste and one’s sense of smell diminish by an average of 20% when flying in an aircraft. For this reason, the meals served on board by KLM are spicier and the wines selected more full-bodied. Wines with a high tannin content taste less pleasant at a high altitude and therefore don’t feature in KLM’s wine selection. Read more in KLM Blog.

Meals and wines by Jonnie and Thérèse Boer
Even Jonnie Boer joined the KLM flight to San Francisco. Until 26 October 2015, KLM will be serving meals created by this leading, three-star Dutch chef in World Business Class on flights departing from Amsterdam. Jonnie told passengers how he developed the meals with KLM and what factors he had to take into account when creating the recipes. KLM not only serves meals: from this month, KLM has been giving away the ‘Kiss of Thérèse’, a Ken Forrester (Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2014) white wine selected specially by Thérèse. This wine tastes just as good on the ground as in the air, only with a more full-bodied flavour. The ‘Kiss of Thérèse’ and all other KLM World Business Class wines can also be ordered via specialbite.com/klmwines.

KLM invests in its inflight products
KLM continually invests in its inflight products. For example, the World Business Class cabin interior was completely revitalised across the Boeing 747 fleet. At present, the Boeing 777-200 fleet is being updated with a new cabin interior in both World Business Class and Economy Class. What’s more, KLM has been serving World Business Class meals created by leading Dutch chefs for several years now. KLM continues to invest in its service on board by working with leading chefs and sommeliers.

Past menus have been created by Sergio Herman, Richard Ekkebus, Mario Ridder and Richard van Oostenbrugge.On commencement of the new 2015 winter schedule, new Economy Class meal trays will be introduced: Tasty Blue. KLM will be the first airline in the world to introduce trays made of polypropylene. Not only is this material lighter and easier to recycle, it also has less of an impact on the environment.

New lightweight trolleys will also be introduced when the new winter season starts. These trolleys harmonise with the Delft Blue design of the trays.

Passengers travelling in World Business Class (WBC) on KLM’s intercontinental flights operated out of Amsterdam will be treated to meals created by master chef Wilco Berends of the De Nederlanden Restaurant in Vreeland. Berends is well known for his exceptional culinary creations, originating from a kitchen crowned with a Michelin star. The salt and pepper sets in WBC will be miniature pairs of wooden clogs – a famous symbol of the Netherlands.

Typically Dutch meals will also be served in Economy Class. The menu features several dishes including red cabbage with beef casserole and a delicious Indonesian meal highlighting Dutch heritage.

The festival will also include European flights for the first time this year. Blond Amsterdam designed a cheerful ‘From Holland with love’ packaging concept for the sandwiches.

Dutch wines

KLM will also be serving Dutch wines on board. Wijnhoeve De Kleine Schorre located in Zeeland will be supplying wines for the ‘From Holland’ festival. With vineyards of ten hectares in size, it is clearly the biggest in the country. The Achterhoekse Wijnbouwers winegrowers will also be supplying wines. According to the Dutch inspection services, these winegrowers have achieved excellent results in recent years with various white and red wines and rosés. What’s more, KLM will be offering wines produced by Dutch cellars abroad.

During the flight, passengers can sit back and enjoy Dutch films, music and programmes available via their Inflight Entertainment Systems.

“We transport many passengers of different nationalities every day. We opted for the ‘Holland’ theme this time round so that passengers have an opportunity to experience KLM’s Dutch character during their journey. Dutch cuisine and Dutch wines are surprising and boast a high level of quality. We are proud to be able to offer them to our passengers during the ‘From Holland’ festival,” said Erik Varwijk, Executive Vice President International & the Netherlands.