Fine wine boom in new terminal

27 August, 2008
Page 15 
Joint-venture travel retailer Société de Distribution Aéroportuaire has reported stronger than expected sales of fine French wine at its two liquor stores in the recently opened S3 Terminal of Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.

SDA, a joint venture between France's largest duty-free operator, Aelia, and airport owner Aéroports de Paris , runs two Pure & Rare liquor and wine shops in the e570 million terminal, which opened in June this year.

Premium wine already accounts for 15 per cent of total wine sales at the shops, and the highest single sales transaction for wine so far has been e7,200.

The focus of the 300sq m liquor and tobacco shop is the Oenothèque - an enclosed zone showcasing rare and precious wines, including collectors' items such as a magnum of Château Petrus at e14,000, a bottle of Mouton Rothschild 1945 at e13,800, and two bottles of Petrus 2001, each priced e2,000.

The main 300-strong wine selection is organised by region with Bordeaux and Burgundy proving the most popular among customers.

"Wine has really taken off since we opened in the summer," said Aelia liquor, wine and Champagne buyer Philippe Lanusse. "We are seeing high double-digit sales growth, which is testament to the fantastic selection we have been able to put together because of the good relationship we have with all the top French wine producers."

American , Canadian and Chinese travellers have been spending the most on wine since the terminal opened.

Whisky is also a key category in the new shops. More than 200 varieties are stocked, including a number of malt expressions exclusive to SDA . Among these are Glenfiddich 1975, Caol Ila 1994 and Edradour 1993 Burgundy Finish.

High-end Cognacs sold include Rémy Martin Louis XIII at e1,150 and Hennessy Richard at e1,240.

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