CHAMPAGNE BULLETIN MARCH 2022
After a longer than normal bulletin in February, this month’s bulletin will be relatively short due to the lack of major news from Champagne this month.
Feast or Famine? It depends on your point of view
The annual review of business for 2021 is due to be published very soon but is not available at the time of writing this bulletin. Nevertheless, the shipment figures for the first two months of 2022 have been released and confirm the very strong upward movement that characterised the last half of 2021.
The increase versus 2020 (not a very representation year) was +23.6% and against 2019 (the last ‘normal’ year) the increase was still a very significant +6.7%
All three categories of champagne producer (cooperatives, champagne houses and independent vignerons) enjoyed strong growth and it is the export markets that are leading the growth.
The moving annual total (MAT) for March 2021 to February 2022, which is a better indicator of longer-term trends, reached a total of 327.3 million bottles. (+7.6% vs. 2019)
This level of shipments would have been unthinkable 12 months ago when the prevailing sentiment was one of gloom and crisis and whilst the rebound in shipments is clearly good news, it does come with a whole new set of problems, a shortage of available stock being the main cause of concern.
As we have touched on in previous bulletins, two small harvests in 2020 and 2021, meant that stocks in the cellars were somewhat depleted and the unexpected and dramatic surge of demand means that many champagne makers are struggling to keep up.
Champagne holds No.1 spot for value amongst French wine exports
As if to underline the strength of champagne exports, figures published by FEVS (Féderation des Exportateurs des Vins & Spiritueux de France) show that in terms of value Champagne occupied the leading position amongst all French wines in 2021
The total value of French wines and spirits exports was 15.5 billon euros. Of that, wine accounted for 10.6 billion euros and Champagne exports represented 33% of that total
Le Printemps des Champagnes
It’s good to see the return of this event after two years’ absence
In fact, Le Printemps des Champagne is a week-long series of tasting events held in April by several groups of (mainly small-scale) independent champagne makers. The events run from 9th -13th April at venues in and around Reims.
They are trade-only events, and you need to register to attend. In addition, this year, places are more limited than in the past. Nevertheless, as a means of making plenty of contacts and tasting some amazing champagnes and still wines Le Printemps des Champagnes is not to be missed
http://www.printemps-des-champagnes.com/
That’s all for this month’s bulletin. Please check in again next month when the full year report for 2021 should be available
