Indian guzzlers prompt Champagne expansion in France

It is feared that due to limited production in the Champagne area of France, top quality wines may have to be rationed in Britain in the future. Annual sales of wine in the last year reached a record 7 billion pounds.

To meet the international demand, French authorities have decided to amend a law, which has not been changed since 1927, defining the AOC or “appellation d’origine contrtlie” of Champagne.

The Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualiti will redraw the boundaries of the famous Champagne-Ardenne region by March 13, expanding the 33,500-hectare region to include up to 40 more villages.

This will help increase the production of champagne.

At present, 317 villages are considered to be surrounded by the right soil and to have the right weather conditions to produce grapes for Champagne production.

Industry figures say that sales of Champagne in India soared 129 per cent in 2006, while China bought 50 per cent more, and Russia 39 per cent more.

About 150 million bottles were sold in 190 countries last year and 188 million bottles were drunk in France. After France, the British were the biggest consumers, drinking 39 million bottles.