Memo to Self: Buy Bubbly ASAP

As early as last year, it was rumored that we could face a shortage of bubbly this Dec. 31. At the six-month countdown, there is evidence that people are heeding warnings and stocking up now for New Year’s Eve toasts.

Steve Wallace, owner of West L.A.’ Wally’s wine shop, says his champagne sales are up approximately 22% from last year.

The Wine House in West L.A. has also experienced brisk sales, but general manager Donald Palmer has seen no shortage in champagnes or sparkling wines, except among high-end labels.

“There will be plenty of champagne and sparkling wines for millennial celebrations,” he says.

Jean-Louis Carbonnier, director of the New York-based Champagne Wines Information Bureau, advises consumers not to panic--but to plan ahead.

“If you have a particular bottle in mind for your celebration, you may want to buy it early. . . .”

Champagne and sparkling wine vintners have been preparing. Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville, Calif., increased production of sparkling wine by 17% this year, and French champagne shipments are expected to rise by 12%. Industry analysts believe the result of the buzz about bubbly may be a surplus.

That means more for Dec. 31, 2000, which, after all, marks the real beginning of the next century.