Since the UK’s coronavirus lockdown began – causing the shuttering of all bars, pubs and restaurants – wine buying in retailers has been “Christmas-like in its intensity”, according to one major importer.
Champagne Pol Roger family member Chantal Varenard de Billy has died at the age of 87 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s and eventually succumbing to the Covid-19 virus.
Sales of vintage Champagne rose nearly 60% at Berry Bros & Rudd last year,, on the back of a “fantastic year” for prestige cuvées, BBRS's wine buyer told the drinks business in an exclusive interview.
The market for Champagne in the UK during the past year was “even more buoyant than expected”, but now “it’s simply not appropriate to twist the cork”, according to chairman of the country’s Champagne Agents Association, Andrew Hawes.