Winnie would be Sir Winston Churchill, Britain’s World War II prime minister and prolific author (if you haven’t read My Early Life, I strongly recommend it) and devoted fan of Champagne.
The question is triggered by the tears being shed by the Comité Champagne, which notes that Champagne sales to Britain fell 5.7% by value, 11% by volume. The Comité is blaming a weaker pound following the Brexit referendum.
But that’s apparently only part of the story. Fuller’s, a 200-pub group, replaced its French house champagne with English sparkling wine. “Sales are up by about 50%,” says Neil Bruce, Fuller’s head of wine. “Pound for pound, a good English sparkling wine will definitely outperform a cheaper French house champagne. Customers get superb taste and quality and value for money.”
He told the Telegraph Brexit has nothing to do with it. “Volume is down partly because champagne producers have raised their prices because of strong demand from Russia, China and to some extent the US. The other big factor is the popularity of prosecco. There may be a slight currency element, but it’s nothing compared to the price increases by the champagne houses.”
Also: English sparkling wine is now stocked in most major supermarkets, is a regular fixture on wine lists at top restaurants. And there’s a growing sentiment by British consumers to buy British whenever possible.”
While Champagne sales may be down to Britain, globally they set a record.