What does it take to run a wine shop? What are the biggest challenges, the rewards and what’s the outlook for the retail wine trade in Luxembourg? That was the topic at this week’s Delano Live event.
Delano’s Aaron Grunwald, Amcellar’s Christen Betzen and Vinoteca’s Guy Tabourin are seen during the panel talk at “Delano Live: The retail wine business”, 24 September 2019“Delano Live: The retail wine business” was held at Knokke Out in the Rives de Clausen, 24 September 2019Paperjam Club’s Julien Delpy (on left) and Delano’s Aaron Grunwald (on right) are seen during the panel talk at “Delano Live: The retail wine business”, 24 September 2019Christian Betzen of Amcellars speaks during “Delano Live: The retail wine business”, 24 September 2019Christian Betzen of Amcellars speaks during “Delano Live: The retail wine business”, 24 September 2019Guy Tabourin of Vinoteca speaks during “Delano Live: The retail wine business”, 24 September 2019Guy Tabourin of Vinoteca speaks during “Delano Live: The retail wine business”, 24 September 2019Christian Betzen of Amcellars speaks during “Delano Live: The retail wine business”, 24 September 2019Delano’s Aaron Grunwald holds up a copy of the September/October 2019 magazine open to an interview with Guy Tabourin of VinotecaDenis Lecanu takes a picture during the panel talk at “Delano Live: The retail wine business”, 24 September 2019Daniel Rinaldis, Paula Ringeviciute and Margo RichertFiona Kotziampasi, Edith Famdie and Loyde MitchellNeill Henderson and Mei ChanJacques Montalto and Michelle BarryBetty Langlade and Crystiina AvramHervé Kias and Rune WangsmoRomain Gerson, Sandy Gerson-Felten and Carola Berdos of Maison Moderne (the company that publishes Delano)Yanna Conti, Emmanouil Glavinas and Jean-Yves BeaulieuBen Betzen, Jacqueline Robinet and Gilles ThomaJavier Costales, Sanja Vujackov and Alexander TottéNikita Sharaev and Kimberly DoerfelLoris Mattea, Daniela Iordan and Guy TabourinManon Breden, Christian Betzen and Dean ChisholmGilles Christnach, Noémie Courtois and Sarah HuinFrom left: Delano’s Aaron Grunwald, Stéphanie Crégut of Maison Moderne (the company that publishes Delano) and Delano’s Duncan Roberts with Gilles ChristnachDenis Lecanu, Israel Ramos and Verónica BarrosJulien Robert, Sandy Gerson-Felten, Romain Gerson and Delano’s Jess Bauldry Attendees are seen during the “Delano Live: The retail wine business” event held at Knokke Out in the Rives de Clausen, 24 September 2019Becca Kellagher (on left) is seen speaking with Delano’s Duncan Roberts during “Delano Live: The retail wine business”, 24 September 2019Jessica MeroVéra Monthé“Delano Live: The retail wine business” was held at Knokke Out in the Rives de Clausen, 24 September 2019“Delano Live: The retail wine business” was held at Knokke Out in the Rives de Clausen, 24 September 2019Attendees are seen during “Delano Live: The retail wine business”, 24 September 2019Attendees are seen during “Delano Live: The retail wine business”, 24 September 2019Delano’s September/October 2019 magazine was released during the Delano Live eventDelano’s September/October 2019 magazine was released during the Delano Live eventDelano’s September/October 2019 magazine was released during the Delano Live event“Delano Live: The retail wine business” was held at Knokke Out in the Rives de Clausen, 24 September 2019“Delano Live: The retail wine business” was held at Knokke Out in the Rives de Clausen, 24 September 2019
Photo: Patricia Pitsch/Maison Moderne
Despite the glamourous side of the business, marketing is a major challenge, according to the panellists.
“We are pretty small, so size is an issue. For those that are here and run a small business, those are the same obstacles that you have [elsewhere in] Luxembourg. Overhead is pretty high. [But] the sole biggest challenge for us is marketing.”
And then:
“How do you get that information out to your customers? How do you get prospective new customers? In this day and age, we have to cover so many different avenues of marketing, be it social media, be it written media. You have to kinda be present a little bit everywhere.”
Tabourin stated:
“Four years ago we opened a shop in the city centre. The advantage of having a shop in the centre is that people see you. Physically. I have to admit, that’s the best marketing you can do.”
He later said:
“It’s very important for us also to know what are the new tendencies, like, for example, natural wines, the wines without sulphates”.
To close the panel talk, each wine expert shared three lesser known vintages they recommended the audience sample.
Each edition of Delano Live features live on-stage interviews with people and on topics covered by Delano magazine, but with a fresh perspective. That’s followed by an open-bar and a bit of networking.
Delano Live is organised by the Paperjam Club and sponsored by ING.
