UK. Italian wine company Bottega has partnered with travel food specialist SSP to open its latest Bottega Prosecco Bar & Caffé at London Stansted Airport this month.
The new bar, located in departures, offers a selection of Bottega’s still and sparkling wines. Each wine can be paired with traditional Venetian and Italian food specialities, which include a range of sharing platters.
Among these are tagliere di affettati, an Italian cured meats board; tagliere di formaggi, an Italian cheese board; and tagliere di salmone scozzese, a Scottish smoked salmon board. The bar also serves speciality coffee and bakery products.
The premium wine bar format was created by Bottega in 2014, with the aim of highlighting the excellence of Italian cuisine and wines. The concept is inspired by the philosophy of the Venetian bacaro (an informal osteria), where food is presented in the form of ‘cicheti’ (appetisers to be eaten at the counter), or as substantial dishes served at the table.
SSP UK & Ireland Business Development Director Cathy Granby said: “Bottega has been a highly successful element in our brand portfolio for four years, and we are delighted to be opening a further unit at Stansted. The brand has proven a big hit with air passengers, and offers a new, premium experience for those passing through Stansted, offering them an excellent opportunity to treat themselves to something special before their flight.”
Stansted Airport Retail Director Stephen Martin said: “Bottega deliver a premium experience and to have their incredible Prosecco Bar & Caffé at London Stansted Airport, partnered by SSP, is an exciting time for Manchester Airports Group as we complete the £12 million investment in the IDL.”
He added: “London Stansted Airport is one of the fastest recovering airports in the UK and Bottega has opened in perfect time as we enter the summer peak – only their second airport offering in the UK and we are very proud to host them. The bar sits in prime position and deservedly boasts the opportunity to offer DOP guaranteed wines with impeccable pairings.”
Bottega President Sandro Bottega said: “The Prosecco Bar formula has been hugely successful in Italy and around the world, as it transforms a quick break into an experience perfectly aligned to the ‘Bottega Bacaro’ philosophy. The opening of this Prosecco Bar has been an ambition for some time.
“London Stansted is an airport that has experienced significant growth in passenger numbers since the ending of the pandemic. It is also one of the main access gates to the British capital from continental Europe. Our wine bar format is of particular interest in the UK, where the Bottega brand is recognised as a leader in the Prosecco and sparkling wine market.”
Over the past two years, the Prosecco Bar offer has expanded to include coffee and breakfast products, signature cocktails, organic wines and liqueurs and, more recently, alcohol-free sparkling wines to meet the needs of an emerging consumer trend.
Pre-Covid, London Stansted Airport served around 28 million passengers a year.
Note: Registration is now open for the Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Conference, to be held as a virtual event on 12-13 September. Registration is free and can be made via this link through organiser The Moodie Davitt Report.
