In 2025, global Champagne volumes dropped 2 per cent and 5.4 million bottles year-on-year to a new total of 266 million bottles.
Declining domestic consumption was a key driver of this, declining 4.2 million bottles to 114 million. Exports also experienced a slight contraction and accounted for 152 million bottles, 1.2 million less than in 2024.
The region’s governing body Comité Champagne attributed the decline to a range of challenges including “geopolitical context, shifts in social behaviours and consumption, stock adjustments and inflation.”
Another likely factor, as reflected in Prosecco DOC’s 2025 export data, is the 21.1 per cent year-on-year volume growth of the Italian sparkling wine within France. This positions France as Prosecco’s third-largest export market behind only the UK and the US.
Announcing this news, President of the Prosecco DOC Consortium Giancarlo Guidolin said, “in a year characterized by significant global economic instability, our Denomination has demonstrated resilience.”
Since then, Co-President of the Comité Champagne and President of the Syndicat Général des Vignerons Maxime Toubart outlined that, as the reference market for Champagne, the domestic French market will remain a priority heading into 2026.
“The French market is a showcase for our appellation, and we must strengthen it,” he said. “We have all the assets we need – excellent wines, unique expertise and collective strength – to consolidate this position and promote Champagne.”
How is Champagne performing in Australia?
In an industry update written exclusively for the 2026 Drinks Annual, the Director of the Champagne Bureau Australia John Noble confirmed that Australia retained its positioning as the seventh largest export market for Champagne in 2025.
“The past two years have tested the resilience of the on-premise and off-premise sectors: pressures from inflation, increasing cost of living, tightening discretionary spend and changing hospitality dynamics have all shaped how Australians buy, enjoy and prioritise Champagne,” he told Drinks Annual.
“Yet, what continues to define our market is its remarkable sophistication when it comes to Champagne. Australia’s Champagne importers, sommeliers, fine wine retailers, educators and consumers are some of the most Champagne-literate in the world.”
In his letter, Noble also draws attention to the evolving mix of styles available in Australian retail settings. In particular, he flags the growing focus of retailers on Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, Vintage and Rose cuvées.
“Brut Non-Vintage remains the largest segment of our market but with this shift towards more unique cuvées we are seeing more staff-led recommendations, small-format tastings and private client events. Consumers are seeking clarity and authenticity – they want to know not just what Champagne is, but why it is so special. This is where the Bureau’s educational work is critical.”
Rob Hirst and John Noble after the Champagne Bureau Australia partnered with Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards in 2025
John Noble’s full letter to industry can be found on Page 39 of Drinks Annual 2026 here.
Prosecco’s 2026 goals:
Looking ahead into 2026, the President of the Prosecco DOC Consortium forecasts his region’s strong momentum to continue – albeit with “no shortage of challenges.”
Explaining the Consortium’s goals, Giancarlo Guidolin says the first priority is consolidating the value of Prosecco DOC to “ensure fair profitability for the entire supply chain.”
Next, he flags the importance of sustainability as “not only an ethical choice, but an essential tool for ensuring the future of the appellation and our international competitiveness.”
And finally, he says work in the development of low alcohol prosecco with ABVs between 8% and 9% will continue, responding to new consumption styles to meet growing demand for lighter products.
In 2025, 667 million bottles of Prosecco DOC were bottled, 1.1 per cent more than in 2024.
“In a complex context, the supply chain has proven its unity,” said Guidolin. “Sustainability and value remain our priorities.”
Read more:
Introducing Glera: the humble variety behind one of the world’s most famous wines
Champagne Bureau Australia unveils winners of 2025 Pairing Competition
February 2025: Prosecco sets new volume record, steals more market share from Champagne
Dining and Cooking