May 2012

Moët & Chandon Diamond Jubilee Cuvee

Moët & Chandon is toasting their relationship with the Queen by producing an exclusive “Diamond Jubilee Cuvee”.

Moët & Chandon has held the Royal Warrant since 1893 during the Queen Victoria period. This recognition was reaffirmed in 1955 when Moët & Chandon was granted the Royal Warrant by HM Queen Elizabeth II, which has been maintained over the last fifty-seven years.

Moët & Chandon has created exclusive cuvees for both the Silver and Golden Jubilee celebrations. On this occasion, the Royal Household has given approval for the bottles to be sold. Diamond Jubilee bottles of Moët & Chandon Impérial will be available to purchase at Waitrose, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Harrods and Berry Brothers & Rudd.

Jo Thornton, Managing Director of Moët Hennessy UK said, “Moët & Chandon is honoured to toast HM Queen Elizabeth’s remarkable reign with exclusive labels to commemorate and celebrate the Diamond Jubilee”.

Moët & Chandon Royal Warrant history:

1893 Queen Victoria

1906 King Edward VII

1931 King George V

1947 King George VI

1955 Queen Elizabeth II

Champagne Jacquart lines up acquisitions

Champagne Jacquart is eyeing acquisitions as it seeks to become a bigger international player.

Jacquart is looking for possible buys in the Champagne region and expects opportunities to come its way in the next couple of years.

“There’s a consolidation process going on in Champagne,” Jacquart’s MD, Laurent Reintau, told Harpers at the London International Wine Fair last week. “We want to be prepared for that,” he said.

The group and its parent arm, the Champagne Alliance cooperative, have already shown their desire to expand, having acquired Montaudon Champagne from Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton in 2010. Jacquart is looking to require more vineyards and stock as it seeks to expand into US and Asia.

While the UK and Germany remain the firm’s key export markets, volume sales of its Champagne to Japan are up 35% year-to-date, according to Reinteau. “Asia is becoming significant and is seeing significant growth,” he said, adding that Jacquart is also making inroads in the “magic triangle” of Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong.

However, Reinteau said that the company will not be rushed into expansion. “We know it will take time.” In 2011, Jacquart sold 3m bottles of Champagne, of which 55% was exported.

Reinteau said that, alongside emerging markets, he is pleased with his firm’s efforts to expand distribution in high-end bars and independent retailers in the UK over the past year. Distribution and premium positioning are key in the UK, he said. “The UK is still a major market for Champagne, but we can’t expect big growth.”

Source: Harpers

Armand de Brignac releases the world’s largest bottle of Rosé Champagne

The 15l Nebuchadnezzar Armand de Brignac Rosé which is equivalent to twenty 75cl bottles or about 80 to 90 glasses is housed in the brand’s signature metallic bottle and finished with a “pewter” ace of spades. A limited number of bottles have been produced for the international market.

Released just in time for the summer market, the Nebuchadnezzar will make its debut at club Nikki Beach, St Tropez on 1 June.

“This was the perfect time for us to release the Nebuchadnezzar as Rosé is synonymous with summer,” said Philippe Bienvenu, commercial director of Armand de Brignac.

Yvonne Lardner, Armand de Brignac’s director of PR reports an interest in Ace of Spades Rosé from men: “We’ve found our Rosé to be really popular with men, the stigma towards the style seems to have gone.”

Tasting Notes:

“Armand de Brignac Rosé is fresh and full-bodied with a rich bouquet of red fruits and aromas of strawberries and blackcurrant – perfect for enjoying in the sunshine,” – Philippe Bienvenu

Champagne enjoys third highest sales year in 2011

Champagne growers posted a slight lift in sales last year, according to trade body Syndicat Général des Vignerons de la Champagne (SGVC)

SGVC said that global turnover last year came in at EUR4.4bn (US$5.54bn), an increase of 7.3% on 2010. The performance represents Champagne’s third highest turnover recorded, after 2007 and 1999.

In volume terms, the region shipped almost 323m bottles in 2011, a year-on-year increase of 1.1%. The average gross price per bottle rose 6% on 2010 to EUR13.65.

UK remained the leading export destination for Champagne last year, taking 34.5m bottles, down 2.7% on 2010. In second place was US, with 19.4m bottles, up 14.4%.

SGVC covers co-operatives, Champagne houses and independent producers.

Source: Just Drinks

Sotheby’s launches “own-label Champagne

This week, Sotheby’s has made auction-house history by becoming the first auction house to launch its own Champagne.

Sotheby’s “own label” Non-Vintage Champagne is made from 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay, sourced from the house of R&L LEGRAS, Chouilly.

R&L LEGRAS founded in 1808 supplies many of Europe’s 3 star Michelin restaurants with their house Champagne, including La Tour d’Argent, Guy Savoy and Ledoyen.

Jamie Ritchie, CEO of Sotheby’s Wine in the US and Asia, described the wine as ‘light, fresh and elegant’ – ‘I have been enjoying R&L Legras Champagnes for over 20 years and am delighted that Julien Barbier agreed to produce Sotheby’s Champagne for us.’

Sotheby’s Tasting Notes and Comments

“Light, fresh, elegant, but serious. It is very versatile and suitable for any occasion – the sort of Champagne that you can drink all night! The quality is first rate and it offers excellent value for money – each time we taste it, which has been very frequently, we are surprised how terrific it is.”

Sotheby’s Champagne will be served at most Sotheby’s events in New York, London and Hong Kong and are available for sale online and in the company’s retail store in New York for US$29.95/bottle and $69.95/magnum.

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses