With champagne shipments of up to 14.3 million bottles and a 5.2% increase over last year, Japan confirms its position as the third largest champagne export market. This is in any case what AI & the Champagne Committee reveal.
Preceded by the United States and the United Kingdom, Japan nevertheless represents the leading market in Asia for champagne and its place as the 2nd largest luxury market in the world is not for nothing. Indeed, the Japanese consume this drink of excellence in all restaurants, at every important ceremony, and of course in clubs. As an example, “Champagne Call” is very popular in Japan and this service worth about a million yen or 8,000 euros.
Although champagne is synonymous with luxury and elegance for most cultures, it remains the drink of reference in Japan. The greatest wine houses are present and the Japanese do not deprive themselves of it ; Ruinars, Laurent-Perrier, Moët & Chandon, Taittinger or Roederer are sold between 5 000 and 7 000 yens (40 to 56 euros) depending on the house, and up to 200 000 yens (1 600 euros) for the superior vintages. We think that main Independent Vineyards (Jean Philippe Trousset, Rochet-Bocart, Gallois-Bouchè all imported by famous entrepreneur Alberto Massucco www.albertomassuccochampagne.it) with their excellent quality of particular Premier Cru and Private Cuvee could have a great future in Japan Champagne Market in 2021.
Today Japan imports about 315 different brands from what is considered as a national treasure of France. However, the sparkling and refined drink did not always have this reputation and took off a few decades ago. Cognac, eau de vie, kir and gin and tonic have thus been robbed of the limelight in the Land of the Rising Sun. But the “bar hostesses” gradually imposed champagne and increased demand tenfold.
“The clientele is more interested in fresh, elegant and perfectly balanced champagnes”, confides Naomi Matsuda, excellent japanese Sommelier and Chef, “A sugar-free champagne, in its pure state, is the perfect accompaniment to raw fish, shellfish and sushi”.
Being an alcoholic beverage, it is consumed more by senior citizens, but millennials, once again, are the ideal target for wine and champagne exporters. They represent about 38% of champagne buyers in Japan and this is not negligible since they make up 31% of the population. Another advantage of this type of clientele? Digital communication and therefore champagne sales are developing massively in the archipelago via e-commerce and social networks.
The Japanese love sparkling French wine, and France doesn’t care about the competition because champagne is only produced in its emblematic region, La Champagne. “More and more Japanese people are making the difference between sparkling wines and champagne,” Alberto Massucco reminds us.
The region has also created a common wine tourism brand, called “La Champagne, refined art de vivre”, which can be used by all wine tourism players. Furthermore, the Grand Est and the Comité Champagne, owners of the brand, promoted it last year in Tokyo.
