Paillard resigns in US Champagne export row

Bruno Paillard has resigned as head of the Champagne Appellation Protection Committee after 17 years, following a row with Champagne Palmer.

While Palmer has not broken any formal laws, Paillard was quoted in French newspaper L’Union saying that Palmer had betrayed an ‘unwritten rule’ that Champagne houses should not deal with US companies that distribute American sparkling wine labelled as ‘Champagne’.

Palmer had signed a US distribution agreement with TRU Estates & Vineyards, a division of Constellation Brands.