CHAMPAGNE MAKES A COMEBACK

Break out the bubbly, there’s a reason to celebrate! Just call Champagne “the comeback kid”. After a grim couple of years, worldwide Champagne sales volumes rose 19.4% in the first quarter of the year on the same period in 2OO9, reflecting the end of destocking on the part of importers and distributors, according to trade body CIVC. Volume sales to EU and non-EU countries were up 25.8% and 59% respectively in the first three months of 2O1O. French sales increased 8.1%. Seems there are a few things left to toast!