Champagne makers sold 7.1 per cent more bottles outside France in 2007 as rising incomes in markets from China to Russia fuelled demand for the sparkling wine.

Producers including LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA and Pernod Ricard SA exported 150.9 million champagne bottles to more than 190 countries last year, up from 140.6 million bottles a year before.

Producers of the bubbly wine have been focusing on luxury brands to improve profitability as the Champagne region approaches the maximum possible harvest, limiting production volume.

Asian markets now represent 9 per cent of total champagne sales, up from 2 per cent 30 years ago, CIVC said yesterday.