Champagne sales pick up in San Mateo County

“As a celebratory beverage, we can understand people not buying Champagne during COVID, as there wasn’t much to celebrate,” he said, but reminded buyers that Champagne can be served not just in times of celebration, but also with dinner.

Weisl cited a famous Winston Churchill quote on Champagne — “In victory I deserve it; in defeat, I need it” — to prove this point.

At San Mateo Draeger’s Market, wine consultant Neal Laybhen said Champagne sales were originally slow earlier in December, but have been on the rise approaching New Year’s. This is typical, he said, noting minimal difference between 2023 and 2022.

Champagne sales, sometimes heralded as a bellwether of national economy and mood going into the new year, lost around $2 billion in sales in 2020 when the pandemic originally hit, according to the Associated Press. Globally, Champagne sales in 2023 are actually down from 2021 and 2022, which saw record-breaking sales numbers as pandemic regulations began to lift. They’re now returning to a “more normal rhythm” and managing rising inflation, according to Reuters.

Champagne is a twice-fermented sparkling wine produced from grapes grown only in the Champagne region of France. For a truly authentic Champagne-drinking experience, Weisl recommends Champagne Pierre Moncuit, which bears the Grand Cru label, marking the sparkling beverage as made entirely from the premier Champagne vineyards of specific French towns.

Customers can purchase Pierre Moncuit for $49.99 in-store. For a more economical option, Brian Weisl — Gerald Weisl’s nephew and employee at the family-run business — recommends Serge Faust Champagne, which is sold for $29.99.

Laybhen said for Draeger’s customers looking to splurge, Champagne Bollinger is a clean sparkling wine with a touch of richness at $89.99. Seasonal sales could rise until New Year’s Eve.

“Sales are pretty brisk for the bubbly,” he said.