Moët Hennessy Sees Second-Half Opportunity For Champagne

After booming during the pandemic, Champagne depletions came back to Earth in the U.S. last year, declining 12.5% to 1.58 million 9-liter cases, according to Impact Databank. This year, key players have been focused on stabilizing volumes, with an eye toward renewed progress in the latter stages of the year.

Moët Hennessy’s duo of Veuve Clicquot and Moët & Chandon remains far and away the largest Champagne labels stateside, accounting for 1 million cases, or 63% of the category by volume, between them. They’re also the top two wine brands overall by retail dollars among all wines priced at $25 and over, according to Impact Databank.

“We’re seeing a stabilized market for Champagne in the U.S. and are approaching the second half of the year with optimism,” says Scott Bowie, SVP of Champagne & Sparkling at Moët Hennessy. “As we tap into luxury demand, our higher marques and limited-edition offerings have reached both repeat and new customers. We’re still seeing figures higher than they were pre-pandemic for Champagne, and the market has shown adaptability as consumers continue to celebrate both life’s biggest milestones and everyday moments.”

Champagne market leader Veuve Clicquot decreased 8% in the U.S. in 2023, but remained above 600,000 cases—and well above its pre-pandemic volume—while Moët & Chandon fell more markedly to below 400,000 cases. “Our flagship offerings Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label ($49 a 750-ml.) and Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut ($51) are driving sales,” says Bowie. Other key wines in the range include Veuve Clicquot Rosé ($60), La Grande Dame Rosé ($320), Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial ($63), and Moët & Chandon Collection Impériale Création No. 1 ($250).

“The outlook for vintage and prestige Champagnes is promising,” Bowie adds. “We’ve seen an increased interest in our higher marques year over year, specifically for our latest launches of Moët & Chandon Collection Impériale Création No.1 and Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame. We’re also seeing a strong interest in collectible bottles, whether it’s a higher marque or from the limited-edition collaborations that our brands are releasing.”

In addition to Veuve Clicquot and Moët & Chandon, the Moët Hennessy Champagne stable includes sixth-ranked U.S. player Dom Perignon, as well as 16th-ranked Ruinart. Next month, Dom Perignon is releasing its Vintage 2015 and Vintage 2006 Plenitude 2 with an immersive experience on an undisclosed Hamptons estate, in partnership with chef Francis Mallmann. Dom Perignon’s previous vintage offering, 2013, was released at $250 a bottle and garnered 96 points from Wine Spectator. The luxury Dom Perignon label had U.S. volume of 40,000 cases last year, while Ruinart was at 16,000 cases.—Daniel Marsteller

Tagged : Moet & Chandon, Moet Hennessy, Veuve Clicquot

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