The Times Online reports that the Comite Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne, the champagne producers’ professional body, has released its most recent figures which show that Champagne sales are down for the first time in almost a decade, in a sign that champagne remains one of the most reliable barometers of the world economic climate.

In eight months, global sales have fallen by 2.6 percent. Exports to the US have suffered a particularly dramatic slump, down by 22 per cent in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2007. Sales in the UK are also down but only by 4 percent, and the French market, which accounts for 55 per cent of global champagne consumption, fell by 4.2 per cent.

Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon, Mumm and Perrier-Jouet are amongst the celebrated champagne houses thought to have been hit by the fall.

To commemorate the 41st anniversary of their luxurious oasis, the folks at Hotel Byblos, (a four-star hotel located in Saint-Tropez - South of France) have combined champagne, leather and wood to offer a limited edition treasure chest worth 100,000 Euros ($150,000).

This exclusive handcrafted leather and wood casket boasts of the Salmanazar of Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque 1999, four hand-decorated cups and a jewelry set signed by Van Cleef & Arpels.

The nine-liter Salmanazar bottle, signed by one of the greatest masters of Art Nouveau, is a genuine work of art. The blend Belle Epoque 1999 resulting from the finest Cru Champagne provides delicate taste fragrance of a bouquet of white flowers that is further improved by remarks of sweet almond and nougat.

Exclusive to Harrods is the new Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut Limited Edition Gift complete with a Baccarat vase, the world’s finest crystal, and a bottle of the deliciously fresh Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut Champagne.

This customised Baccarat Perfection vase is inspired by the essence of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut Champagne. Decorated with an unusual pink-enamel design in cherry blossom, the crystal vase is ideal for showcasing a magnificent spring bouquet. This versatile piece is also an elegant champagne bucket, designed to chill a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut to perfection.

Renowned for its red cherry fruit aromas, this definitive pink champagne, with its freshness and supple rounded finish, is the ultimate toast to spring. Unlike most rosé champagnes that are made simply by blending red and white wines, Laurent-Perrier is crafted using a unique process called saignée, using only the highest quality grapes from the finest Grand Cru vineyards.

The Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut & Baccarat Limited Edition Giftset – with only 250 vases in the series – is priced at £1,000 ($2,000) and will be available at Harrods Wine Department, presented in a chic pink bag with a floral motif.

Coca Cola have commissioned Roberto Cavalli to create three limited edition bottles of Coca Cola Light (Diet Coke) in Italy.

“I had a lot of fun creating three different “dresses” for the legendary silhouette of the Coca Cola Light Contour. They are seductive and feminine, in typical Cavalli style. They’re designed for the world of young people, which has always been a great inspiration to me,” said Roberto Cavalli.

The bottles features Cavalli’s signature animal print (leopard and zebra) and are designed to look as if the bottle is in a Cavalli dress.

Cristina Santucci, Marketing Director of Coca-Cola Italia said : “This joint project with Roberto Cavalli aims to offer a collector’s version of the Coca-Cola light bottle, to appeal to women with a strong personality, who are extrovert, modern and like to experiment”

The limited edition bottles will be available in Italy from September through December and only Only one hundred thousand bottles of each design (300,000 bottles) will be released : they will be available exclusively from certain restaurants and bars in Italy.

A bottle of 115-year-old champagne has been found in a sideboard at a Scottish castle, BBC reported.

Chris James, the owner of Torosay Castle and Gardens, found the bottle of the distinctly yellow-labelled 1893 Veuve Cliquot champagne in a solid wooden dining room side board, which is a family heirloom. The “secret” compartment did not have a key, so Mr James employed a locksmith in an attempt to bring a family mystery to a conclusion.

On opening the door, he found a bottle of brandy, a port decanter and a bottle of claret and the single bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne. The drinks are believed to have been locked up since at least 1897.

The bottle, complete with label, was in mint condition having been kept in the dark throughout.

James contacted Veuve Cliquot in France to enquire whether the bottle was of interest. Veuve Cliquot had no idea when they first used their trademark yellow labels, but the bottle found at the castle was the oldest by a long margin.

The priceless bottle is now on display the Veuve Cliquot visitor centre at Reims in France.
Fabienne Huttaux, head of communications there, said: “The bottle is literally priceless. It is a one-off and therefore unique. We would never consider selling it as it is far too important to us.”

Asked whether the champagne was still drinkable (It probably tastes horrible ^_^), Peter McKay which handles public relations for Torosay castle, said: “I don’t think that question will ever be answered. It is so valuable to Veuve Clicquot in France that they are going to keep it exactly as it is.”

Though, if I were Mr James I would ask for unlimited free champagne !

Johnny Utah’s, a Western-style restaurant located in New York’s Rockefeller Center, features both a mechanical bull capable of rendering you permanently paralyzed and a mixed drink, The Vault, that can do the same to your wallet. Johnny Utah’s uses a $300 bottle of Herradura Suprema tequila to mix The Vault, along with grilled-lime juice and agave syrup. [...]. The drink costs $51 and was touted as the most expensive margarita in 2007.

Regardless of whether or not you consider The Vault to be a true margarita, the Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has flattened that record with the Riverside Grand Margarita. This exclusive drink uses freshly squeezed lime juice; Cuvée Speciale Cent Cinquantenaire, a special triple sec made to commemorate the Grand Marnier company’s 150th anniversary, and Patron Tequila Gran Platinum. Both the tequila and liqueur cost about $200 a bottle. The finished product costs $65, making it the most expensive margarita in the world.