Champagne sales fizzle for New Year

 MANATEE — No matter how eager some may be to kiss 2008 goodbye, consumers aren’t as enthusiastic about a traditional New Year’s staple — champagne.

Thanks to a year full of economic woes, fewer people will be popping bottles of the bubbly drink tonight.

A research firm of spirit sales, Impact, projected sales of champagne to decline between 1 percent and 4 percent this year from the estimated 900 million glasses sold in 2007. 

   In Manatee County, several liquor stores and wine shops say they, too, are seeing fewer people purchase champagne to fill up their glasses for a New Year’s toast.

“We’re seeing people are typically going for a lower priced drink,” said Cheryl Hughes, marketing manager and assistant manager at Vino 100 Bradenton. “Last year, people had a little more disposable income.”

To cater to the consumer, the wine shop on State Road 64 East has more prominently stocked and displayed French sparkling wines, which retail at $15 per bottle and lower.

In addition, Hughes said prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine, has become a popular alternative to champagne toasts this year as it is more affordable.

The light, sparkling wine has less fizz and fewer bubbles, but it retails between $10-$20 per bottle, compared to champagne, which retails for between $30-$50 a bottle but can go up to $300 for high-end brands.

“I think people are still looking for a good value but something not quite as expensive,” Hughes said.

At Wine Warehouse of Palmetto, manager Jonathan Leal said holiday sales are down overall this year.

And while he expects champagne sales to pick up today, Leal said the store doesn’t expect as many purchases as last year.

“We have a little bit less inventory,” Leal said of champagne. “Prosecco has been popular all year long.”

Champagne sales nationwide, according to Impact, are suffering significantly this year, considering sales of the drink increased by 4 percent last year.

That was the largest sales growth for champagne since 1999 when consumers splurged to ring in the new millennium.

“People are looking to not got as extravagant as they have in the past,” Leal said.

Jay Patel, owner of Manhattan Liquors, estimated a 40 percent decline in sales of of holiday wine and liquor at the Lakewood Ranch store.

“I think because of the economy people are just wary to spend money,” Patel said. “None of my customers have gone away. Let’s just say they’re very well behaved this year.”

Patel said top-shelf liquor has taken a big hit as well as champagne.

“Of course, I’ll really find out (today), but it’s nothing like last year,” said Patel of champagne sales.

Instead, Manhattan Liquors is selling more of Martini & Rossi, which retails at $10-$13 per bottle, and Freixenet, a Spanish sparkling wine that starts at $10.

“What’s selling is the cheaper stuff for celebrating the New Year,” Patel said.

Nancy Kirshe, owner of Coastal Liquors, said a customer appreciation sale to celebrate the store’s one-year anniversary in December helped boost sales.

“We’ve been blown away with the sales,” Kirshe said.

Kirshe added champagne sales may have been stronger for the store had the economy been better.

“Everyone’s doing more affordable drinks,” she said.