French lighten up over champagne bottles

One of the lesser names of the Champagne trade, Vranken-Pommery Monopole, has stolen a march on its more illustrious neighbours by being the first to release wine in the new, lighter champagne bottle. The company, which makes and markets the Pommery and Heidsieck Monopole brands amongst a portfolio of lesser-ranked champagnes, was the first to respond to the Comité Interprofessionnel de Vins du Champagne’s (CIVC) call to reduce the carbon footprint of champagne packaging.