Research Report: Popping the Cork – A look at the Champagne Lobby

“Champagne” or “sparking wine”? As an essential ingredient to most New Year’s Eve celebrations, and with New Year’s Eve right around the corner the First Street Research Group explored the lobbying around champagne.  Sparkling wines are commonly referred to as champagne, much to the chagrin of the champagne industry.  To officially bear the name “champagne”, a wine must come from the Champagne region of France.   In the eyes of the champagne industry, sparkling wines are just sparkling wines and should be referred to as such.  Protecting the champagne brand is one of the chief concerns of the champagne industry, and they actively lobby the U.S. government to protect their brand.  The French-based Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVIC ) is the leading organization in the champagne industry. In the U.S., the organization established the Center For Wine Origins and the Office of Champagne, USA to promote and protect the champagne brand.

Highlights

• CIVC and its two other organizations have spent a combined $1,068,987 on their lobbying activity since 2004.
• Five revolving door lobbyists represented these groups, including one former member of Congress.  The other four revolving door lobbyists bring connections to three federal agencies and three members of Congress.

The Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC)
Description: The  trade organization established by statute to administer the common interests of everyone within the Champagne industry. The CIVC was one of the first trade bodies created. The experience gained since its foundation in 1941 is generally regarded as among the most complete and representative anywhere
Issues Lobbied On: Agriculture – “Issues related to wine naming/labeling to geographic region and conventions in the United States”
Revolving Door Lobbyists
Anthony J. Moffett (The Moffett Group, LLC)
Formerly: Disclosed – “Member, US House of Representatives, 1975-1983″

Total Lobbying Activity
Note: The Moffett Group disclosed lobbying for Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates, Inc. on behalf of Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne

Office of Champagne, USA (The Champagne Bureau)
Description: The Champagne Bureau located in Washington, DC, is the U.S. representative of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), the trade association that represents all the grape growers and houses of Champagne, France. The Bureau works to educate American consumers about the uniqueness of the wines of Champagne and expand their understanding of the need to protect the Champagne name in the United States.
Issues Lobbied On: Beverage Industry – “Monitoring relevant trade and regulatory issues (no specific legislation).”
Revolving Door Lobbyists
Shannon Terrell Hunt (Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates, Inc.)
Formerly: Deputy Press Secretary – Rep. Bob Clement (D TN-5)

Total Lobbying Activity

Center for Wine Origins
Description: The Center for Wine Origins is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and is involved in many activities aimed at educating consumers, policymakers and the media about the importance of keeping wine labels accurate. The center aims to offer better resources for consumers so that they are able to make informed choices when selecting their wines.
Issues Lobbied On: Beverage Industry – “Monitoring relevant trade and regulatory issues that impact Champagne or Port (no specific legislation).”
Revolving Door Lobbyists
Shannon Terrell Hunt (Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates, Inc.)
Formerly: Deputy Press Secretary – Rep. Bob Clement (D TN-5)
Jean Hudson Card (Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates, Inc.)
Formerly: Writer – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (Department of the Treasury); Deputy Associate Administrator – Small Business Administration; Speechwriter – Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (Department of Labor)
Phyllis Anne Cuttino  (Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates, Inc.)
Formerly: Admin. Director – Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Nicole Guillemard (Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates, Inc.)
Formerly: Deputy Chief of Staff – Resident Commissioner Luis G. Fortuño (R Puerto Rico)

Total Lobbying Activity