Champagne Corks Pop Up in Britain

LONDON — Champagne is flowing in large quantities in Britain, which remains the biggest market for the beverage outside France, the Champagne Bureau said.

In the first six months of 1988, Britain popped its way through 8.7 million bottles--12% above the same 1987 period--stretching its lead over the United States, where sales slipped by nearly a quarter to 5.1 million bottles.

The bureau, which is the commercial arm of the growers of France’s Champagne region, forecasts a slightly lower harvest this year, although it will be of “exceptionally good quality.”