Geographic reference: France
Year: 2010 and 2019
Market size: 319.5 million 750 ml bottles and 297.6 million 750 ml bottles, respectively

Today’s market size shows the number of bottles of champagne shipped in 2010 and 2019. Champagne is a sparkling wine from the Champagne region of northern France. In much of the world (although not in the United States), it’s illegal to label a product “champagne” unless the grapes and the wine that’s produced come from that region. It must also be produced under the regulations of the Champagne appellation. This drink is primarily made with pinot noir, Meunier, and chardonnay grapes. It comes in 7 levels of sweetness, from Brut Zero (0-3 grams of sugar per liter) to Doux (50 or more grams of sugar per liter). 

Champagne shipments fluctuated between 2010 and 2019, however, since 2017 shipments have trended downward, from 307.4 million bottles in 2017 to 297.6 million bottles in 2019. In 2019, 72.2% of champagne came from Champagne houses, up from 68.6% in 2010. A larger share of bottles came from cooperatives also, 9.2% in 2019 vs. 8.7% in 2010. A lower percentage of bottles shipped from wineries, however, 18.6% vs. 22.7%. Champagne houses are establishments whose main activity is the making of Grande Marque champagnes. They source most of their grapes from a variety of vineyards in the Champagne appellation. The grapes are vinified separately, then blended to replicate the specific taste a particular house is known for. The oldest Champagne house is Gosset located in Épernay. It was founded in 1584. As of 2019, there were 360 Champagne houses, 140 cooperatives, and 16,100 vineyards in the Champagne region of France.

From 1844 to 1917, France exported most of the champagne produced, in some cases exporting nearly eight times as much as shipped domestically. Between 1918 and 1930, some years saw more exports; others saw more domestic shipments. Since then, domestic shipments have been outpacing exports, however, starting in 2018, exports again took the lead.¹ In 2019, exports represented 52% of total shipments. Most exports went to the United Kingdom, followed by the United States, Japan, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Australia, Switzerland, Spain, and Sweden. Nearly 75% of exports went to these 10 countries. Eighty-seven percent of total exports came from Champagne houses. Worldwide, leading brands include Veuve Clicquot, Möet & Chandon, Billecart-Salmon, Perrier-Joüet, Ruinart, Dom Perignon, GH Mumm, Krug, Bollinger, and Taittinger.

¹ There were no shipments from 1940 to 1946 due to World War II.

Sources: Les Expéditions de Vins de Champagne en 2019, Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne, April 2020 available online here; “Protection of the Champagne Name,” Champagne Bureau, USA, Comité Champagne available online here; Hamish Smith, “Brands Report 2021: Champagne,” Drinks International, January 6, 2021 available online here; “List of Champagne Houses,” Wikipedia, February 25, 2021 available online here; “Ranking by Turnover,” Grandes Marques & Maisons de Champagne available online here; “Shipments Since 1844,” Grandes Marques & Maisons de Champagne available online here; Hunter Robillard, “Champagne (Taste, Best Bottles, Prices 2021)”, Vinovest, January 22, 2021 available online here; “The Economy of Champagne: Key Market Statistics,” Comité Champagne available online here; “May Holidays,” National Today available online here.
Image source: Claudia Peters, “glasses-champagne-drink-prost-449011,” Pixabay, September 17, 2014 available online here.