British appetite for champagne defies recession

BRITAIN remained the world’s largest export market for champagne despite the recession, according to figures released yesterday.

Champagne shipments to Britain fell by just over 15% last year, with a total of 30,523,359 bottles imported, the Champagne Bureau said.

The figures were equivalent to 2002 levels but healthier than a forecasted 40% drop.

Meanwhile, shipments to the US dropped by almost 30%, with exports there and to Germany falling back to early 1990 levels.

Britain drank the same amount of champagne as the US, Germany and Belgium combined last year, the results show.

Champagne Bureau director Francoise Peretti said: “The British have been drinking champagne for 300 years and they won’t give it up, even in a recession.

“These figures show the combination of the UK’s international population who have brought their champagne habit with them and the British love for it, helped along by the food revolution here.”

More than 70 champagne producers gathered at Whitehall’s Banqueting House yesterday for the Champagne Bureau annual tasting.

Organisers said the tasting was set to be the largest on record, with some 10,000 bottles set to be uncorked.