4 minute read
MEMORIES AND WINES
Altin Mulla of Napoleon Wine Shop & Bonaparte Wine Bar sat with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE to tell how he created his company inspired by a family talk on a Sunday afternoon in August 2008 in Salou, Spain and with the big support of his brother as well as the different approach he used in presenting the French wines to the clients.
How were the foundations of this company laid?
The beginnings of this company bring us back to a Sunday afternoon in August 2008 in Salou, Spain. Our family was on vacations. We have a private port in Salou where we have our boat. On that afternoon, we were out talking and someone proposed that I could start some business in Albania. My brother was the initiator. And I liked the proposal. I said “I will start a business in Albania.” So, this was the beginning of this story. In December 2008, we came to Albania and I started the Bonaparte wine bar off using all the wine contacts I had established. First we thought to open a wine shop because Albanians were eager to drink or eat outside, away from home. Since it was a boom development at that time, everybody was having a good time outside. But we knew it that in all the restaurants, there were the Italian wines dominating. Since it was very difficult to penetrate, we decided to make the French wines known through the wine bar Bonaparte and wine shops Napoleon. Then, we started with the distribution in the HoReCa system.
Looking through the years, what do you think it has been the key to success?
The key to the success remain the different ways to approach the client as well as a lot of wine tasting, nothing different from what we do in France or what we did in France. Passion like in every job as well. But in particular, I would say that the key was the different approach we used in presenting the French wines to the clients.
Why did you call your shop “Napoleon Wine Spirit”?
Because from our experience, it was the only way to get near to the clients and present the French wines to the Albanians knowing that such wines were very reputable in the country.
Can you tell us more about the wine varieties you bring from Spain, France, Portugal and other countries?
From France, initially it was Bordeaux. Varieties are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. With the years, we widened a bit more with Corduroy - southwest of France, to go to the North of France - champagne, cognac and in Southeast of France with ChateauNeuf du pape et Cote de Provence.
Furthermore, we continued with the wines from Spain, my second country. At that time and still now, the most well-known region is La Rioja region with its special varieties
of Tempranillo wines. Some three or four years ago, we went to Italy as well given the high demand for Italian wines: Piemonte, Nebbiolo and Tuscany with Cianti and Chianti Reserva to go down to the middle
Italy with Le Marche wines, then a bit up North with Alto Adige wines and Triveneto. In each of these regions, I went for meeting producers and for wine tasting.
In addition, 3-4 years ago, I met Portuguese wine providers and producers as well. Around Lisbon, there are many vineyards and they produce very good wines. But unfortunately for logistic reasons, we did not manage to do much. I got some fortified Port Wine. This is the only wine we take from Portugal. Hopefully when Albania becomes more interested to know more new different countries, we will for sure make a selection of Portuguese wines. Also we have wines from California, Chile, Australia, New Zealand but one or two labels.
Looks like you have done quite a long journey. Not everybody has managed it.
I have been supported a lot from my brother. His French father in law, who is the boss of our company, is 90 years old. So, we have inherited his experience. I think he is an icon for us because he is a very tough guy in every aspect. I think that because of him, a part of our company is successful.
What are the plans for the future? Any expansion?
The plan for the future is to keep the main branches that we have. Whereas in France, we have the wine distribution company, called TCompany. We are thinking to open a wine shop there too under the same name “Napoleon.” We have some good plans in the store.
What is the best wine for you?
For sure, the French wines are the best in the world. Figures say that. About 80 percent of all the wines in auction are French while 15 percent are other wines like from California, New Zealand etc. A good wine is impacted by its history and the stability in production and in tasting. I will try not to say which is the best wine for me but let’s say that I like wines from the St Emilion region. They produce wines that respect due diligence.
