Profile   Vranken-Pommery Monopole is one of the leading Champagne players. Its balanced Brand portfolio extends over the entire range with Champagne Pommery, Vranken’s Demoiselle and Diamant Champagnes, Charles Lafitte and Heidsieck Monopole. Vranken-Pommery Monopole is also active in the high range Port Wine sector with Rozès and is a major player in rosé wine distribution with Vins des Sables (Listel) and Vins de Provence (Pradel, la Gordonne) that it sells throughout the world. In 2006, Vranken-Pommery Monopole posted sales of 268.3 million euros for a current operating result of 45.3 million euros. The group realises 45% of sales internationally.       Positioning   Place Champagne houses 1. MOËT HENESSY - L.V.M.H. 2. VRANKEN-POMMERY MONOPOLE 3. BCC 4. LAURENT PERRIER 5. PERNOD RICARD Source: UMC   On a perennial market, players must exercise a capacity for valorising Champagne on its different markets, France and Export. VRANKEN-POMMERY MONOPOLE has reinforced its positions and gained new market share. * Figures before BCC purchase and restructuring in 2006. In this competitive context, Vranken-Pommery Monopole has also reinforced its grape supply which now extends to 2,000 hectares.       The Champagne market   Champagne is a geographically limited area and the appellation covers almost 34,000 hectares that are more than 95% planted. These vineyards are 87% exploited by winemakers and 13% by the Champagne Houses. On the other hand the Champagne Houses sell more than 67% of all Champagne bottles worldwide. Grape blending is the fruit of the Cellar Master’s know-how guaranteeing constant quality and a particular House’s style. The quality of these great Brands is also ensured by storing vast quantities of Champagne in the cellars. All these characteristics confer a long life upon the Champagne market. Average annual growth has been more than 3% for the last 35 years. In 2006, the sales of champagne reached a level record with 321.6 million bottles, that is to say a rised of 4.6 % compared to 2005. 218 million bottles were marketed by the only champagne houses. Figures for the first semester show that 2007 should continue this positive trend.       World development of Champagne exports