French fizz price soars as supply shrinks

Celebrating with a glass of French fizz is tipped to be harder and far more expensive this year, with the bubbles in low supply. But there is a silver lining for Aussie drinkers.

A global champagne shortage is set to burst the bubble of drinkers this festive season, with the French fizz in lower supply causing prices to soar.

Covid and rough weather in France are to blame for the reduction and higher costs, with the region of Champagne last year producing fewer bottles than normal because of lockdowns and severe frosts affecting crops.

“The main challenge is the big global pandemic. It has put some logistic challenges in place … and that combined with a couple of tough years with climatic conditions makes availability a bit tight,” said Ross Marshall of Fourth Wave Wine.

The issue has resulted in less champagne on the market and a price hike of at least 10 per cent at the bottle shop.

“When you’re looking at that higher price point to start with, that increase, it starts to add up,” Mr Marshall said.

Caitlin Barnes-Whitaker and Jordyn Deamer enjoying glass of Australian sparkling at The Charming Squire, South Bank, with champagne in short supply this year. Picture: Richard Walker

While sad news for Francophiles, the problem is tipped to be a win for Australian sparkling winemakers who estimate they will sell around 20 per cent more bottles this year than last.

Senior winemaker at Pirie in Tasmania Tom Wallace said he hoped to sell an extra 2000-4000 bottles of his NV, vintage and rose sparkling wines this year because of the shortage; and believed Australian sparkling represented great value for money for drinkers.

“I think we’re certainly better from a price point than French champagne,” he said.

“It’s all about celebrations and events and enjoying each other’s company and I think our Tasmanian sparkling can do just as good a job as the French champagne.”

Mr Marshall agreed and said customers could pay $50 to $60 a bottle for entry level French fizz, but as little as a quarter of that for a good quality Australian bubbles, such as the Tread Softly Blanc de Blancs for only $16.

“I think a lot of us will start to see the value in great Australian sparkling and it will be a very good thing for our local producers,” he said.