Champagne is losing its fizz in Britain, with the recession dampening demand for a drink associated with success and excess.
Britain is by far the world's biggest importer of champagne, with 36 million bottles shipped in 2008.
That is more than twice the next largest export market, the United States.
But in 2008 sales fell 7.8 percent on the previous year, and key champagne figures say the picture could get worse before improving.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHARLES KING, MAISONS, MARQUES & DOMAINES LTD.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) FRANCOISE PERETTI, DIRECTOR OF CHAMPAGNE BUREAU
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DANIEL LORSON (DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION, COMITE CHAMPAGNE
