Champagne sales reached an all-time high last year, handily beating a previous mark set in 2019, as the relaxation of pandemic-related curbs fueled a surge in exports, notably to the United States, producers said.
French producers have announced that 2021 sales hit over €5billion, 14% above the pre-pandemic high.
Exports reached 180 million 740ml bottles, up 37% from 2020 and 15% more than in 2019, while sales in France jumped 25% from the previous year to match 2019 sales at 140 million bottles, Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC) told reporters.
UMC Chairman Jean-Marie Barillere said the fact that drinking champagne at home was cheaper than in a restaurant and the fact that it was readily available to buy online had helped to boost sales.
The record demand cheered producers who faced their worst output in 40 years in 2021 after vineyards were ravaged by frosts and mildew fungus attacks.
The fall in supply should not affect champagne's availability, however, as producers will be able to use their stocks. Champagne is typically made from a combination of wines produced the previous year and earlier.
