The prices for top-quality champagne are increasing almost as fast as the oil price.

As reported in British wine magazine Decanter, the price for champagne has increased by 27 per cent in the past 12 months. This data is based on the British Liv-Ex Index. In particular, the prestige blends have contributed towards this development; in many cases the demand for sparkling iwnes in the Dom Pérignon category greatly exceeds the supply, customers around the world are in search of numerous wines, not just Roederer Cristal. On the other hand, champagnes produced by minor houses have seen only very moderate price increases. (WF)