The French market, which represents more than half of all sales, dropped 3% in 2014 and stood at 162m bottles.

The UK, though, grew 6% to remain the region’s top export market and destination for 32m bottles.

The US also grew well, increasing 7% to 19m bottles, while Champagne’s third export market, Germany, was up 2% to 13m bottles.

Shipments to EU countries not including France totalled 78m bottles while emerging markets were the destination for 67m bottles, up 6%.

Françoise Peretti, director for the Champagne Bureau UK said: 'We often think of Champagne sales as the barometer of our national economy, and this last year was no exception.

“When the economic news is better, we drink more Champagne. Of course! There's more to celebrate.”