Nicolas Feuillatte rules itself out of Heidsieck bidding race

As speculation mounts on the sale of the Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck Champagne brands, Nicolas Feuillatte has ruled itself out of the bidding race.
Speaking at a lunch at Texture to celebrate the Champagne co-operative¡¯s 35th birthday, managing director Dominique Pierre told the drinks business: ¡°We¡¯ve been reading what¡¯s been said in the press and have been following the news of the sale, but I can confirm that we¡¯re not interested in buying Charles and Piper-Heidsieck.¡±

R¨¦my Cointreau, which currently owns Piper and Charles Heidsieck, put the brands up for sale late last year, with an asking price in the region of €400 million.

It was reported last week that rum giant Bacardi is one of about a dozen to show interest in buying the Champagne brands.

Other potential bidders are believed to include Champagne¡¯s leading player, LVMH, Vranken-Pommery Monopole, BCC-Lanson, and one of the region¡¯s largest co-operatives; Alliance Champagne.

Sources in Champagne have reported Vranken-Pommery Monopole to be leading the bidding race. There is also speculation that LVMH and BCC-Lanson might make a joint bid.

No timescale has been set for the sale, but it is thought that the number of bidders will be reduced to a shortlist imminently.