Vintage deal from Matthew Clark

It’s not just the off-trade tempting consumers to splurge on Champagne with bargain deals at the moment. Until 31 January 2010 on-trade supplier Matthew Clark is offering customers two of its vintage Champagnes at non-vintage prices.

With Champagne volumes in the UK on-trade down by as much as 16% (Nielsen MAT to May 09), it would be no surprise if some of the major on-trade suppliers were looking to use the festive season as an opportunity to shift excess vintage stock.

Matthew Clark attributes this deal for both Duval-Leroy 1999 (non-vintage price £24.81) and Taittinger 2003 (non-vintage price £32.44) to part of a drive to educate and encourage consumers to trade up to vintage Champagne.

Simon Jerrome, purchasing director for Matthew Clark explains: “We have found that over 90% of regular Champagne drinkers have never tried vintage Champagne and we see this as a great opportunity to educate consumers in its quality and heritage.

“Like the off-trade we want to offer value to our customers and ultimately their consumers with Champagne this Christmas. We too are taking advantage of the fact that exports of vintage Champagne are down but are turning it into an educational opportunity for consumers”

The promotion is being supported with POS material, designed to tell consumers heading out for a festive drink that, despite the wallet-friendly price tag, they are enjoying a superior glass of fizz.

Gabriel Savage, 01.12.09