 |
The Moodie Report proudly presents the second edition of My Wine Journey, a new regular column in association with Treasury Wine Estates, which launched in early October and will appear regularly on The Moodie Report.com and in The Moodie e-Zine.
My Wine Journey features leading buyers and other travel retail executives discussing their love of wine and its presentation and future in travel retail.
We continue the series with veteran travel retailer Paul Topping, a wine aficionado, who has long believed the category deserves a higher profile in the channel.
 |
Paul Topping (right) with Flemingo Co-owner and CEO Atul Ahuja |
Paul, the son of a preacher, has been in the duty free business for over 25 years and has held a number of senior roles such as Managing Director for Alpha Retail International and for Alpha Asia; President Asia for Aldeasa; and Director South East Asia for Gebr Heinemann.
Today he is an independent Main Board Director of Flemingo International and of Odels, the largest non-food retailer in Sri Lanka. He is also Owner and Director of Bangalore Soma Winery in India and CEO of travel retail consultancy Tractopping. A regular wine commentator and wine tasting organiser in Colombo where he lives, Paul is affectionately known locally as The Wine Man of Sri Lanka.
The Moodie Report: How did you first become interested in wine?
Paul Topping: By making it because I couldn’t afford to buy it.
Do you remember the first bottle to truly make an impression on you?
Black Tower made a big impression on me, not so much on my Dad as he is teetotal.
 |
What is your most memorable wine experience?
Sitting on top of my winery in Bangalore and drinking good Indian wine.
If you had the chance to visit a wine-producing country/region, where would it be and why?
Always my favorite – Margaret River from West Australia. They have such a range and great wines.
Your favourite wine and why?
As a grape variety Syrah from South Africa. I’m a New World man
Where do you usually buy your wine?
In the basement shopping mall below where I live. From there the wine travels well…
What is your opinion of the wine category in travel retail?
There is little logic from location to location in terms of ranges and pricing policy. There is also a lack of country balance in many offers, for example. Are we forgetting the man in the street? For example, the starting price of wine in some locations prevents many passengers from buying.
Does the category pay its way space-wise? I believe you could sell more volume and increase sales and profits per square foot.
What is your favourite airport for wine retail and why?
Colombo Airport duty free Arrivals (Flemingo and World Duty Free Group) – I don’t have to carry it far.
What does the future of wine in travel retail look like?
It’s a growing trend but needs more promotional activity when the stores are in non-wine making countries.
You have a table for two reserved on the beach at an idyllic island resort. What wine, what food?
I’d like to be on a beach at Gordons Bay in South Africa drinking a Pinot Noir from Walker Bay. With shellfish (I fell off a boat and learnt to swim at the age of five).
FOOTNOTE: If you would like to feature in My Wine Journey please e-mail Martin Moodie at: Martin@TheMoodieReport.com. We welcome all wine lovers to participate from all sectors of the travel retail community.
Earlier editions of My Wine Journey:
1. LS travel retail Pacific General Manager Duty Free Ivo Favotto
 |
