Vintners in Champagne are reporting "promising" conditions as this year's harvest begins, following a warm July which helped grapes to ripen early.

The Comite Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC) has set a higher harvest limit this year than in 2009, marking an increase in production and reflecting a recovery in champagne shipments, decanter.com reports.

The first grapes were picked on September 10th and widespread harvesting began three days later.

"Since yields are fixed at 10,500kg/ha, and vines are producing 14,000kg/ha on average, we will have scrupulous selections to ensure a high-quality vintage," CIVC communications director Daniel Lorson told the website.

Figures from the organisation show global champagne shipments rose by nearly 40 per cent during the first half of 2010, particularly in non-EU countries.

To end the practice of mislabelling in the US, the CIVC's Champagne Bureau recently launched the Unmask the Truth advertising campaign, which is supported by a coalition of 15 wine regions around the world.