Champagne Doyard moves to Matthew Clark

Matthew Clark has taken on exclusive distribution for Champagne Doyard from Flint Wines.

The move is set to boost the distributor’s premium ‘Wines of Distinction’ range, which it said had seen growth in the last year. It reported sales of non-vintage and vintage champagnes up 20% and 13% respectively, with rosé vintage Champagnes seeing a particular boost, rising 64%.

Simon Jerrome, Matthew Clark’s purchasing director, said it was important to offer a wide selection in the run-up to Chritmas. “With the steady increase of premium on-trade customers we’ve witnessed over the last 12 months, it’s great to be able to offer a variety of Champagne styles from small grower houses to Grandes Marques,” he said.

“Restaurants consume over 25% of their annual Champagne volume over the festive period and while Prosecco has obviously been the success story of this year Champagne is also in growth, and has a real opportunity to shine during the next few months.”

The champagne house is based in Vertus, with additional holdings in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Avize and Cramant, and comprises 11 ha of Grands Crus vineyards. These are planted with Chardonnay and farmed biodynamically., with around 50% of the grapes being sold to Möet to make Dom Pérignon and to Louis Roederer for Cristal.