Even as overseas markets continued their growth, a decade-long slide in domestic demand worsened in 2018, with sales in France falling by 6.5m bottles. The company said its champagne sales fell 0.6% in the first half. This year, a new law aimed at boosting prices for farmers barred retailers from dangling such loss leaders. That contributed to a 34% slump in champagne sales during retailers’ autumn wine fairs, according to research firm Nielsen. The plunge during the September and October sales exacerbates a trend of falling champagne demand in France as cheaper alternatives gain traction.

Source: Irish Examiner December 30, 2019 00:00 UTC