Lanson stakeholder in takeover market

French bank Caisse d’Epargne announced that it would listen to offers for its share of the Champagne house - which owns two other Champagne brands - but only under certain conditions.

‘If transfer opportunities are presented, and as long as they are in line with the development plans of the company, Caisse d’Epargne, with the go-ahead from the majority shareholders, would be ready to study them,’ said the bank.

Caisse d’Epargne bought its stake in July last year for €38m (£25.7m/US$45.3m), when the Mora family, which owns the remaining 56% of Lanson International, was looking for a buyer.

Other reports put the sale down to a knock-on effect following reports of Taittinger’s possible future sale, and the transfer of the Mumm and Perrier-Jouët Champagne brands to Pernod Ricard as part of its takeover of Allied-Domecq.

Pernod Ricard sold off its Champagne brand Besserat de Bellefon to Marne & Champagne in 1990. Marne & Champagne then became Lanson International, which also includes Champagne Gauthier in its portfolio.