April 2013

Moët & Chandon is the official Champagne The Great Gatsby

Moët & Chandon has joined a stellar list of sponsors for the Great Gatsby production — The Baz Luhrmann movie is based on the classic novel by F.Scott Fitzgerald and is due to hit theatres May 10th.

Great Gatsby is set during a time when importing wine from Europe to Canada was done illegally. Coincidentally, Moët & Chandon is putting their 1921 vintage on sale — perfecting marketing on both ends. Leonardo DiCaprio is part of the collaboration and promises to be in Cannes. We are not sure what they have in mind – a “Gatsby” inspired cocktail is almost definitely part of the plan!

Sunshine to Launch Canada’s First Veuve Clicquot Snow Bar

Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard resort will unveil Canada’s first Veuve Clicquot Champagne and Oyster Bar officially on Saturday, April 27th, 2013.

The on-mountain venue, located in the spring patio of historic Trappers Saloon, will offer guests an exclusive location to take in Sunshine’s Spring Concert Series.

Sunshine’s new après ski offering, which is well-known in resorts around the globe, will enable guests to sample one of the most recognizable Champagne brands while enjoying freshly shucked West Coast oysters.

“Veuve Clicquot snow bars are recognized at top destinations around the globe, and it is our pleasure to provide guests with such a unique offering this spring,” says Dave Riley, Chief Operating Officer, Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard Resort.

The Veuve Clicquot Champagne and Oyster Bar is opened each weekend from 11:30 a.m. through 3 p.m., coinciding with the resort’s popular outdoor concert events.

Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard Resort is close to the town of Banff, provides skiers and boarders with12-lifts including seven modern high speed quad chairs, the most in the Canadian Rockies, and one of the world’s fastest 8 passenger gondolas. Stay slope-side in the Rockies only “ski-in ski-out” hotel and ski or ride 3,300 acres and three mountains in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia along the Continental Divide during Canada’s longest season from November to late May.

Global Champagne exports rise 3.4%

Champagne exports across the globe have increased by 3.4% in value while the number of bottles exported fell by four million in 2012, according to the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC).
The UK topped the list with Champagne exports increasing by 0.5% in value despite volumes dropped by 6.1% to 32.4 million bottles.

The increase in value was due to heavy spending from wealthy consumers from Russia and China living in London and often visit restaurants, hotels, bars and clubs – these places account for 30% of UK sales.
UK Champagne Bureau, the educational and promotional arm of CIVC, director Françoise Peretti said though the consumption of Champagne has gone down, consumers are paying high for the drinks. “We are seeing a new market emerging, as discerning consumers come and settle in London from developing Champagne markets such as China, India and Russia,” Peretti added. “This is where they choose to come to explore the best of Champagne.”

Liz Palmer