Bubble trouble: French Champagne houses go on the offensive

Brands marketing their sparkling wine and prosecco with a nod and wink to ‘Champagne’ are falling flat after several cease and desist letters from the big Champagne houses.

As English sparkling wine and prosecco continue to gain ground as the drink of choice in UK pubs and bars, Champagne houses are doubling down on protecting their name. Any mention of or allusion to Champagne in marketing a wine that doesn’t come from the French region is treated as a potential threat to Champagne house’s prestige and sales.