Thirst for champagne defies dip in economy

The economic recovery may have faltered but champagne sales are fizzing, figures reveal today.

The 200-year-old champagne house Laurent-Perrier, best known for its Cuvée Rosé, said demand in the UK was "especially dynamic" with sales up more than 30 per cent.

Sales of Cuvée Rosé, which sells for up to £50 a bottle, are about 20 per cent higher than last year.

Demand for champagne peaked in the week running up to the royal wedding at the end of April, with Tesco reporting an 85 per cent surge.

Champagne drinking, which slumped in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, has bounced back over the past year as City bonuses began to recover. Last year shipments were up to 35.5million bottles and the totals for this year are expected to be higher still.

Champagne bars have sprung up all over central London with new openings at Paddington station and the One New Change shopping centre in the City.

Demand for top still wines is also strong. Wine merchants Bordeaux Index said prices for the most actively traded wines rose 1.2 per cent last month, making a return so far this year of almost 12 per cent.

The most in-demand vintages include Chateau Margaux 1996 and Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1986, said managing director Gary Bloom.