Bollinger has come under fire from fellow champagne producer Bruno Pailliard over the design of one of its bottles.

Despite Bollinger's long and much respected tenure in the world of top quality champagne, it is alleged that its new bottle shape has been modelled on one from Mr Pailliard's cellar.

Mr Pailliard, who is also the CEO of Lanson-BCC, has said that he is considering legal action over the issue.

"If it turns out they are the exact same model, we will have to start a judicial process, our bottle being registered in many countries," he stated.

"I designed this bottle almost 30 years ago, not only to distinguish our house, but also to increase the exchange surface between the wine and the lees, increasing this way the complexity of our wines."

At time of its launch, Bollinger said its '1846' bottle design was inspired by one found in its cellars dating back to that year.