A message from Champagne

Thing is Tyson, this is not new ‘news’ as it were and it is a free market economy. Sadly its MH’s prerogative to be able to do this (ruthless, yes but not in anyway shady) and lets face it, the price of grapes is one thing but many other external factors are contributing to tough times in Sparkling wine production. Champagne in particular is time intensive and (now more so than ever) capital intensive. Bottling lines, vats (steel/oak or concrete) space to age, minimum ageing periods and freighting costs not to mention fluctuations in FX rates. Its too simplistic just to blame the ‘effected’ rise in grape prices by the largest conglomerate as the reasons growers are producing less own label wines or potentially going out of business. I would agree however times are tougher now, more than ever (especially with labour costs and other manufacturing costs add to the mix)....

very good analysis of what's going on ...?

I think there is another factor that is also real. "The China Factor". Many smaller traditional houses you refer to are being taken over by lable before quality owners. The attractiveness to these buyers of owning a "Champagne" house is extremely appealing, and I know personally of several houses who once had proud and long histories with a focus on quality production the families employed for generations. With the new owners those quality first methods have all but gone in favour of cost.