Why the downturn in Champagne sales?

[Roy Hersh]

http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2011/1 ... -and-cava/

[Andy Velebil]

Meanwhile, sales of sparkling wine are also affecting Champagne’s performance.....

I think that part really summed it up. Champagne prices need to come down, at least for the NV stuff. Why spend $30-50+ when I can get a domestic made one for less money that is just as good or even better. Or something like Cava for a fraction of the price.

[Eric Menchen]

IMHO, the cheap Cava and Prosecco that I've tasted don't have anywhere near the depth as those more expensive bottles of Champagne. At the same time, when I or most people are buying a bottle of bubbly, that isn't really a factor. I admit it. For the most part I buy the cheap stuff.

[Moses Botbol]

Once the hotels and restaurants cut back on DP, Cristal and the like; this is the next chapter of a bad economic times. Find suitable alternates to Champagne. It's absurd the QPR for fine Champagne (big names) compared to what boutique brands put out for much less.

[Andrew E]

probably because rappers have started singing more about tequila than champagne, haha.

Also, the local spread is either the cheapest "I just need a bottle labeled champagne" variety or top of the line Dom, not a whole lot of variety unless you go looking for it.

[Peter W. Meek]

For me, it's mostly prosecco or Italian 'methode champagne'. The taste suits me, and we go through a lot of it around here. 2-4 bottles each week (plus a bottle or two of Italian red wine during the late movie) for Monday Night At The Movies (and port after).

Here's some pairings you may not have thought of: popcorn with the bubbly. Peanuts and pistachios in the shell, and wasabi-coated peanuts with the port.

(The red wine we drink by itself. It's usually just myself and Ko Kaiden, my friend the Japanese opera singer and oboe-repairman. Neither one of has to get up early, so we can stay up until 2 or 3 in the morning watching movies.)

---side note----
You can hear Ko singing on youtube.com; several of the videos were recorded in our house during a benefit for Opera-On-Tap. (OOT: Good for what Ales you. Arias in a friendly setting with lots of beer.)

[Roy Hersh]

I had a dinner last night where the first six bottles of the nineteen we had over a nine hour period, were all fine Champagne. Somebody is still buying the good stuff.

[Eric Menchen]

I'm going to suggest that many of your dinner's are not typical compared to the mass market Roy.

[Peter W. Meek]

I'm going to suggest that many of your dinner's are not typical compared to the mass market Roy.

Nor are mine. We're all different. It's the aggregate of all our purchases that makes the market.

If anyone matches the market exactly, he should try to step out in new directions.