Latest posts by Martin Moodie (see all)
- How I overcame Severe Tire Damage to become the oldest influencer in town - April 20, 2024
- Free as a (Kiwi) bird and flying high in Haikou - April 13, 2024
- Discovering Food Accademia’s world of fine flavours at a Hong Kong cha chaan teng - April 6, 2024
Having sounded off about the poor wine offer at Munich Airport, I am happy to say that elsewhere in Germany – at Hamburg Airport to be precise – things are a whole lot better.
Here Heinemann Duty Free has done precisely what Eurotrade does not do in Munich – i.e give the category plenty of space, plenty of variety and plenty of national (and regional) flavour. It treats wine with respect and, no doubt from what I witnessed of customer behaviour, is reaping the benefits.
There’s a really strong German representation (I bought a lovely Schloss Vollrads Riesling Spatlese with superb citrus character and a crisp minerality that I just happen to be supping as I pen this Blog late in the night under the useful pretence that it adds flavour to my writing) and a nice mix of reds and whites from a range of wine-producing countries.
Champagne too is showcased in style (and, yes, there are some good German Sekts) and I liked the Moët Ice Impérial promotion (below) very much.
I’ve noticed this excellent initiative from Moët & Chandon in a few airports this year (it’s touted as the world’s first Champagne specifically created to be enjoyed over ice) and everywhere it lends dazzle, vibrancy and a sense of holiday spirit to the store.
The white frosted glasses are fun and the sweetness of this blend is nicely offset by the ‘big chill’ factor. Most of all, it simply makes passengers stop and look. That’s what it’s all about, after all. Once you get them into the store, the job becomes a lot easier.
There’s plenty else to admire about the shop – open, accessible and with all categories (including the often-neglected confectionery and fine foods sector) given good space and ranging. There’s a strong emphasis on local products too – something that I believe should be mandatory in every tender proposition around the world. Oh yes, and a brilliantly quirky Hendrick’s gin promotion.
Hamburg is also a delightful, easy-to-use airport with some nice specialist retail (despite its slight sterility, I liked Suncatchers by Nuance for its accessibility and ease of trying on different sunglasses) and food & beverage outlets (including the excellent Marché).
So, it’s a case of hooray to Heinemann and for Hamburg. And a reminder that not all duty free wine offers were created equal.
