The Moodie Report presents the latest edition of My Wine Journey, a regular column in association with Treasury Wine Estates. My Wine Journey features leading buyers and other travel retail executives discussing their love of wine and its presentation and prospects in travel retail. This week Dubai Duty Free Manager Purchasing and Vendor Support Sharon Beecham shares some of her most memorable wine experiences.
How did you first become interested in wine?
Sharon Beecham: It probably started on my first professional trip to London many years ago – what an eye-opener for a small- town girl from the English Midlands. I was in a team of more experienced people who happily enjoyed the wine list on expenses, and took pleasure in instructing the newbie!
Over the past 15 years it became more a matter of necessity, to be perfectly honest. With the opening of the Sheikh Rashid Terminal in 2000, Dubai Duty Free put real emphasis on upgrading and extending its wine selection, particularly in Arrivals. My predecessor Michel Paux had identified the need to drastically overhaul and substantially increase our wine selection, and he got support from Colm McLoughlin and George Horan. He retired shortly after starting this project with a range of French and Australia wines, and it was left to me to finish what he began. It took nearly five years, with a steep learning curve along the way, to have anywhere near a range that could be considered a portfolio.
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Do you remember the first bottle to truly make an impression on you?
I have been fortunate in my life and work to have tasted many superb wines, so I take the opportunity here to pay homage to Serge Hochar from Château Musar. The wines of Musar with their distinct taste and history made an impression on me many years ago. Serge’s sudden untimely death on 31 December has stirred some memories for me – respect for his dogmatic approach to getting his wines into Dubai Duty Free and for his life, which was dedicated to his wines through Lebanon’s worst times. Throughout more than 50 years heading the winery and throughout all the troubles, he only ever missed one vintage. The wines could often polarise opinion but were undoubtedly a success, and I was fortunate enough to have tasted with him in the winery in Beirut – for something so close to us, not nearly enough people have had that opportunity.
What have been your most memorable wine experiences?
Two have stuck in my mind for the whole experience, which the wine served to enhance. One in Australia at a winery with a wonderful restaurant positioned on a sloping hill overlooking the vineyards, a beautiful sunny day, drinking a sublime white with calamari as soft as butter and caught that morning Рthe only thing missing was George Clooney! The other was a dinner at Ch̢teau Palmer during one of the Vinexpo shows. Again it was a stunning location, great food, wines that needed no comment and perfect weather. It was a reminder of why Europe is hard to beat when the weather is good.
If you had the chance to visit a wine-producing country or region, where would it be, and why?
Probably, at this point, the USA and South America. Having spent very little time there, and being unfamiliar with that part of the world, I feel it would complete the wine circle.
What are your favourite wines?
Not sure I should mention them here – it seems unfair to single out any of my suppliers. Even when I am buying I sometimes find it difficult to make decisions! There will, however, always be Bordeaux, Aussie Shiraz, US Cabernet, Chilean red and NZ white in my house.
Where do you usually buy your wine?
Dubai Duty Free Arrivals shops. I can’t resist buying every time I return – just to try again the products which are only available with us, or some favourites “just in case I run out”!
What is your opinion of the wine category in travel retail?
Generally speaking most Departures shops do not give it much space or consideration when creating the selection, so it has to be said there is not much to talk about. However I noted some considerable improvements in certain European outlets last year – a gradual understanding of what openings there could be. There seems to be a growing awareness that there are opportunities – after all, more and more people these days do not drink spirits, and many of the emerging markets use some brands as status purchases as much as some expensive spirits.
With many of the more upmarket retailers the presentation style can be intimating and simply not right for the middle-of-the-road wine consumer. A presentation that helps to educate and assist consumers in the purchase in an environment that is less intimidating is one we have tried to adopt, and has worked extremely well for us.
What does the future of wine in travel retail look like?
It can only get better. I think many of the retailers will think more seriously of it as a category to fill some of the gaps left by the troubled consumers. Wines that are exclusive to travel retail but familiar or with special price vintages or one-off buys can all compete against domestic markets. A retailer that can build confidence with a name as a reputable seller with good quality wines, no matter what the price-point, can go a long way to securing a new market for them.
What is your favourite airport for wine retail, and why?
It’s been a while since I was there, but I thought Sydney did a great job of showcasing one of Australia’s biggest exports. It had a great selection, and did an excellent job of explaining the different regions. Of course, Dubai Duty Free is way up there as well.
You have a table for two reserved on the beach at an idyllic desert island resort. What wine, what food?
It would have to be that calamari again, with a chilled-just-right bottle of Montrachet – Chassagne or Puligny – I’m not fussy!
Earlier editions of My Wine Journey:
1. LS travel retail Pacific General Manager Duty Free Ivo Favotto
2. Flemingo Main Board Director Paul Topping
4. Emirates Leisure Retail Group and MMI CEO Andrew Day
5. The Nuance Group Global head of Liquor Kevin Baker
6. Director of UK company Inflight Initiatives Rodger Craig
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