How to Spot and Avoid Parallel Imported Champagne

Everyone loves a good glass of bubbles - whether it’s a wedding toast, Christmas lunch, birthday celebration or any occasion really! But here’s something most people don’t realise: where and how you buy your Champagne really matters.

Not all bottles are created equal, and not every Champagne that reaches New Zealand has travelled the right way. You might think you are getting a good price on a bottle of Parallel Imported Champagne, but you will be left with a bad taste in your mouth!

In this blog, we’re lifting the lid on Champagne Parallel Importing - explaining what it is, how it can affect the quality of your wine, and how to make sure you’re buying Champagne that’s as fresh, authentic, and vibrant as the day it left France.

When it comes to Champagne, provenance matters. Parallel Imports often take a long, winding journey before reaching New Zealand. Shipped through multiple countries, often in non temperature-controlled (warm) containers.

How to tell if a Champagne has been Parallel Imported:

• Look at the back label and see if it has the New Zealand importers details like the examples below. If these are missing, the Champagne has been Parallel Imported.

• Make sure the label has the correct credentials present like the bottle below ie pregnancy warning

• Price - If it seems cheap and a ‘too good to be true’ deal when comparing prices in market. It means it is.

Examples of bottles that have been imported through the correct channels:

How Parallel Importing effects the Quality of your Champagne:

• Parallel Imported stock takes a long time to reach New Zealand so by the time the Champagne arrives, delicate wines that once sparkled with life can be fatigued, oxidised, or simply not as good as they should be due to travelling a long journey in NON-chilled containers.

• Believe us when we say, if you do a blind taste test of FRESH Champagne vs Parallel Imported Champagne there is a massive difference. The Parallel Imported Champagne will be dull, less bubbly and vibrant.

At Fine Wine Delivery, we source direct from the licensed suppliers of these prestigious Champagne Houses, ensuring every bottle travels in climate-controlled (chilled) containers straight from France to our cellar, so you taste it exactly as it was intended by the Champagne House.

Champagne is a beautiful and delicate experience best served FRESH. All Champagne sold at Fine Wine Delivery, whether imported by us directly, or by our supply partners is always guaranteed FRESH. This means supplied in 2025 (NEW stocks).

We’re always reminded of the “Famous & Fabulous” quote from Madame Lily Bollinger whenever we have a glass of Champagne in hand…

“I drink Champagne when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company, I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it - unless I’m thirsty.”

- Madame Lily Bollinger (1899-1977) Bollinger Champagne

There’s plenty of not so FRESH Champagne out there - so buy from a trustworthy source this Festive Season.