China 'is the new US for Champagne'
Champagne exports to China could surpass even those to the US within the next decade and a half, according to the scion of one wine family.
Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger believes Champagne sales are due for a revival this year, helped along by the weak euro, strong demand from emerging markets and a restocked supply chain, decanter.com reports.
Champagne could see a rebound of ten to 20 per cent this year and 40 per cent year-on-year growth in China, according to the Taittinger chief executive, speaking at last week's Reuters Global Luxury Summit.
"I am worried about pensions. I am worried about the debt of our countries. We will have less money," the website reports him as saying.
"But we will always have the time to make love and drink Champagne and we will do it even more."
It was a sentiment French president Nicolas Sarkozy took to heart earlier this month, after spending an estimated £38,000 on wine and champagne at a garden party with wife Carla Bruni.