Champagne celebrates return to growth as sales hit €4.5 billion

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 21 January, 2015

Champagne shipments grew 1% by volume in 2014, with sales expected to exceed 307 million bottles and hit €4.5 billion.

This would equate to the region's second best-ever performance, and the Comité Champagne is attributing the success to the "dynamism of export markets".

This growth means that Champagne houses and growers can increase the amount of reserve wines they use this year from 400 kilos/hectare to 500 kilos/hectare in order to boost volumes. This would mean volumes available for the 2014 harvest would equate to 309.6 million bottles.

The reserve system, which allows part of the crop to be set aside in good years, is unique to the Champagne region and is designed to cushion the effects of a very poor harvest. The Comité says this ensures "winegrowers' incomes and supplies to Champagne houses are guaranteed, stocks are maintained and the smooth running of the Champagne economy is ensured".

While sparkling wine, and in particular Italy's Prosecco, is garnering all the headlines and securing stellar growth, Champagne has had some successes. Yesterday's IWSR report for Vinexpo showed volumes of sparkling wine consumed in the UK have risen from 8.68 million cases in 2008 to 11.23 million last year. It is forecase to reach 11.56 million cases this year. Prosecco is driving growth however, with 2013 UK imports up 43%, while Champagne has declined in the same period.

On-trade supplier Matthew Clark said yesterday it had its best ever December, with overall wine sales up 3% and Champagne up 7% - although Prosecco was up 43% in the same period.

Naked Wines has also been toasting a rise in Champagne sales - since bringing on ex-Ruinart winemaker JP Moulin, its Champagne sales have grown 13%.

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