Tag: Veuve Clicquot

Champagne Brands Eye China

Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger and other champagne houses could spearhead a move into China, in an indication of changing tastes.

Robert Beynat, chief executive of Vinexpo, was speaking to the Wall Street Journal following the publication of a new study.

99.5% of wine currently consumed in still wine. “The Chinese ignore the sparkling wines right now,” Beynat said.

He attributed this to a shortage of marketing by the champagne industry, and said leading brands would play an important future role in educating Chinese consumers about sparkling wines.

The overall growth in wine consumption in China is expected to slow to 39.6% over the next four years, compared with the 142% increase seen between 2007 and 2011.

Vinexpo expects 252m cases of wine to be consumed annually in China by 2016, up from 159m in 2011.

Beynat said the slowdown was a natural correction after the explosion in demand witnessed in China in recent years.

Nonetheless, he anticipated that the country would remain a growth story, as he pointed out China is expected to become the world’s sixth largest wine producer in 2016, ahead of Chile and Australia. “The more you produce, the more you drink,” he noted.

French wines still rule the Chinese market, accounting for around 48% of imports in terms of volume.

China’s per capita consumption is predicted to increase from 1.4 litres of wine per person to 2.1 litres over the next three years. This remains far behind France, the top nation on this metric, at 53.2 litres per person.

Source: AFP/Wall Street Journal

Pop-up Champagne Bar is back on Aspen Mountain

A traveling champagne bar, which debuted last spring on the ski slopes, provided a unique experience and caused no problems, Aspen Skiing Co. officials reported.

“I’m happy to report we had no problems whatsoever,” said David Bellack, Skico senior vice president and general counsel. “It was popular with the guests. The people who visited it seemed to enjoy it a great deal.”

In February, when the pop-up champagne “oasis” first came before commissioners, there were concerns about promoting on-slope drinking, and Commissioner George Newman wound up voting against the proposal.

On Tuesday, no vote was necessary, and commissioners raised no concerns with the plan.

“It wasn’t a big party,” John Speers, general manager of The Little Nell, said of last season’s experience. “It was never a big drinking crowd that was going to make a day of it.”

The Nell, the luxury hotel at the base of Aspen Mountain, also operates the Sundeck restaurant at the summit and oversees the champagne bar, a portable affair set up at sunny spots on the mountain where patrons could enjoy great vistas. Skico plans to set up the bar again for spring skiing, starting on Presidents Day weekend, but it did uncork the bar for opening day this winter, given the unseasonably high temperatures.

“It doesn’t work too well when we have temperatures of minus 2,” Bellack said.

The bar operated on weekends last season, selling small, snow-chilled flutes of Veuve Clicquot for $15 each. The amenity was unique among ski areas and gave Aspen some additional media attention as a result, Speers said.

“We’re always trying to figure out how to position ourselves to get more PR,” he said. “It’s about having a cool new thing for our guests that they don’t see somewhere else.”

Source:Aspen Times

‘Bag Lady’ Anya Hindmarch wins Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year 2012


British luxury designer, Anya Hindmarch has been announced winner of The Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award 2012. Anya beat stiff competition from finalists Helena Morrissey of Newton Investment Management and Ruth Rogers, founder and chef, of the hugely successful River Café in London.

Drawing upon her natural passion for accessories and design, Anya started her business at the age of 19. Since then, she has spearheaded the business growth from her first retail outlet, an intimate first floor shop on London’s Walton Street, to fifty seven shops worldwide, including a London flagship on Sloane Street and a Tokyo flagship in Aoyama, with a New York flagship opening in the New Year.

In 2009, Anya Hindmarch was awarded an MBE in recognition of her contribution to the British fashion industry. Two years later in 2011, she became a UK Trade Ambassador as well as becoming a Non-Executive Director of the British Fashion Council. She is also a trustee of both The Royal Academy and The Design Museum and a Governor of The University of The Arts. Her support of the next generation of British entrepreneurs, most notably through the Government’s ‘Start Up Britain’ campaign was also cited by the judges as a key reason as to why she was awarded the prestigious accolade.

Anya’s commitment to be a socially responsibly business was also welcomed by the judging panel, most notably for the charity promotion, ‘Be a Bag’ project and her ability to inspire change by making it fashionable not to use plastic bags with her iconic ‘I’m Not A Plastic Bag’ campaign, launched in 2007.

Also noteworthy was her 2009 launch of Anya Hindmarch Bespoke. This launch was perfectly timed as consumers increasingly sought investment pieces that were unique, beautifully crafted and personalised. The Bespoke collection is for both men and women and allows customers to personalise their pieces with hand written messages and drawings that are embossed into the leather by Craftsman based in the Pont Street store.

“It is the greatest honour to win the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman award in its 40th year. It is a very real compliment to be deemed to share some of the qualities of Veuve Clicquot herself who was clearly a brave and pioneering woman but also to even be considered amongst my fellow finalists, Helena Morrissey and Ruthie Rogers who are both brilliant businesswomen and lovely people.” Anya Hindmarch

“We are delighted that the judges have selected a winner who fully embraces the spirit of the Award and can provide inspiration for the next generation of female entrepreneurs in the UK. In a year that British fashion has never been under the spotlight more, Anya has proven that commercial triumph alongside pursuing a responsible business is more than achievable and it is wonderful to see such a shining example of business success.” Christina Jesaitis, Senior Brand Manager, Veuve Clicquot

In addition to receiving a silver trophy shaped as a La Grande Dame bottle and a case of La Grande Dame 2004, Anya Hindmarch will take part in the Veuve Clicquot International Women of Influence Forum at the Veuve Clicquot Maison in Reims in October 2012. This event will gather previous winners from across the globe for a unique occasion to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Award. The winner will visit the Manoir de Verzy and the House’s vineyards, where she will have a vine baptized in her name recognizing her legacy and life-long relationship with Veuve Clicquot.

Liz Palmer

VEUVE CLICQUOT BUSINESS WOMAN AWARD (UK) 2012 SHORTLIST IS ANNOUNCED

Veuve Clicquot has announced this week it’s shortlist for “Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award” at the WIE (Women: Inspiration & Enterprise) Power Breakfast at The London Stock Exchange, and the three finalists are:

• Anya Hindmarch: Founder, Anya Hindmarch
• Helena Morrissey: CEO, Newton Investment Management
• Ruth Rogers: Chef & Owner, The River Café

The Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award is regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of female entrepreneurs and business leaders, and is now in its 40th year. It celebrates entrepreneurial women who have made a significant contribution to business life in the UK. The nomination criteria are those ideals epitomised by Madame Clicquot: Entrepreneurship, financial success, Corporate Social Responsibility and acting as a role model.

All Finalists selected by the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award judging panel demonstrated the strongest evidence of all nomination criteria. Notable achievements included Helena Morrissey’s groundbreaking 30% Club, which helps champion the issue of women on boards, Anya Hindmarch’s entrepreneurial story and global pioneering of her ‘I am not a plastic bag’ initiative which raised the issue of plastic bag usage amongst the public’s consciousness as well as the government’s agenda, and Ruth Rogers’ steady growing business, changing how we perceive, as well as cook, Italian cuisine.

Carolyn McCall, a previous winner of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award and current Panel member, noted: “The nominees for this year’s award are all great role models and have all the attributes that Veuve Clicquot looks for in its Business Woman Award. This award has played a vital role in recognizing and celebrating women in business.”

Sian Westerman, MD of Rothschild and member of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award Panel commented: “This strong shortlist, drawn from an excellent long list, exemplifies what women can achieve in business: strong entrepreneurship and leadership, combined with a desire and ability to deliver real change in society. Spanning areas key to the UK economy of fashion, finance and hospitality, they are great role models for all who aspire to succeed in business.”

Jasmine Whitbread, CEO of Save the Children International and member of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award Panel said: “It was inspiring to see the sheer quality and range of candidates for the award — busting the myth that there aren’t many women business leaders!”

The Award’s 20-strong judging panel is comprised of business leaders, including Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive, easyJet, Jasmine Whitbread, CEO Save the Children, Duncan Bannatyne, Entrepreneur and Dragon, Caroline Michel, CEO, Peters, Frasers and Dunlop as well as Sian Westerman, MD, Rothschild and other key industry experts.

The winner of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award will be announced at a high-profile Champagne reception at The Ballroom at Claridge’s, London on the 18th of April 2012 at 6.30pm.

Christina Jesaitis, Senior Brand Manager, Veuve Clicquot said: “As we reach our 40th year of the award, social and environmental responsibility are still a key focus for our judges and this year’s finalists all represent business women that have embedded these important attributes into their organizations. The award also looks for those women that are able to act as more than just an example of a successful business woman, but rather an inspiration and mentor for future female entrepreneurs; we believe that all of our three finalists have demonstrated this quality.”

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses

Find “The Oasis” a pop-up Champagne bar on Aspen Mountain

The Little Nell, a ski-in, ski-out five-star, five diamond hotel at the base of Aspen Mountain, has launched “The Oasis” on Aspen Mountain complete with a Veuve Clicquot Pop-up Champagne bar this winter season.

As part of Veuve Clicquot’s annual celebration of winter “Clicquot in the Snow”, The Oasis guests receive après ski flutes of Champagne and spectacular views of Aspen Mountain. The bar features umbrellas, lounge chairs, solar-powered sound system, flags and other features that will make The Oasis stand out in the snow. But there is one thing – the guests have to find the secret location!

“Guests will receive clues to find the secret location of the mobile champagne bar on Aspen Mountain,” explained Little Nell Food and Beverage Director Sabato Sagaria. “Those that find the mobile shrine will be rewarded with magnificent views of the town of Aspen and the surrounding area, made even more beautiful with a glass of snow-chilled Champagne.”

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses