Champagne sales in Ireland have been recovering over the last year, further demonstrating that the economy is slowly recovering.
"Europe has been very challenging but we are starting to feel some trends of recovery. The lights are turning green," he said. "In Ireland, the latest figures are showing some very interesting growth." says business-development manger for Europe, Fabrice Ogier.
The Irish champagne market is small by international comparisons with annual sales of around 300,000 bottles this year. It's approximately half the percentage in comparison to the Celtic Tiger years. Sales of the premium or above-€30 bottles fell sharply in 2009, according to Ogier.
Since the end of 2011, major champagne houses have seen definite signs of recovery and stabilisation. Irish sales are up about 1-2% and are expected to grow.
This year has seen a larger growth at the higher end of the premium market, which is dominated by LVMH's Veuve Clicquot brand.
LMVH's cheaper brand, Moet Chandon, is the market leader with around 26%. Veuve Clicquot has about 10% of the market, with Laurent Perrier, Tattinger and Mumm competing behind. 70 % of champagne is bought in off-licences rather than in bars or restaurants. However, Ogier commented that there is a global trend for larger bottles and bulk-buying.
Veuve Clicquot anticipates a "modest growth" as economies begin to improve. Veuve Clicquot's Irish Businesswoman of the year Anna May McHugh travelled to France to have a chapagne vine named in her honour.
