Champagne sales sparkle

From the bars of fashionable London clubs to the hospitality suites at Wimbledon, Britons are drinking more champagne than ever.

Figures released this week show the UK is second only to France in its consumption of champagne, well ahead of the US, Germany and Italy.

While France drank 14.5 million cases last year, Britain's consumption grew by 25 per cent to 2.5 million cases. The US could only manage 1.3 million.

"The UK amazes me," said Daniel Lorson, of trade association Comité ‰nterprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne. "It is a blessed market - the export market for champagne."

Half the market in Britain is for special occasions such as birthdays, 30 per cent is drunk in clubs and bars and the rest is consumed at home or in restaurants.

Industry insiders say the boom is part of a general revolution in drinking culture.

Vincent Gillet, brand manager for Moë´ et Chandon, said women, with their growing income, were particularly responsible. "Women have got a taste for it," he said. "They love the association with sexiness, glamour and cool."