Champagne will begin to exploit sales opportunities in the emerging markets of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) nations in 2012, it is claimed.

China's taste for fine wine has developed considerably in recent years, first with the likes of Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Latour from Bordeaux and now Domaine de la Romanee-Conti from Burgundy seeing strong sales in the Far East.

Champagne could be next, according to the Drinks Business, as the shift from Bordeaux to Burgundy has many experts suggesting that Chinese drinkers are broadening their horizons when it comes to wine.

There has already been some movement in this respect, with shipments of Champagne to China rising from 581,221 bottles in 2009 to 1,103,763 in 2010.

However, the markets of Brazil and Russia may present better opportunities for Champagne producers.

The increase in shipments between 2009 and 2010 were 63 per cent and 87.6 per cent respectively, reaching around a million bottles each.

Yet the type of wines demanded by each is different. Brazilians want the big names, while Russians are searching for something different.

"For now we foresee more growth in Eastern Europe and Asia. South America is still dominated by bigger names while in Asia they are already looking for sophisticated alternatives," the president of Champagne Philipponnat, Charles Philipponnat, told the Drinks Business.

Despite the broadening sales market, however, Lanson International's managing director Paul Beavis says that the UK will remain number one for exports.

"Other markets are exciting but are growing from a small base so the percentage growth looks very nice. They will continue to grow but we don't know that they will continue to grow at the same rate so Champagne should never ignore the UK; it's so important and very mature and consumers are looking for more engagement," he added.