This glass is half empty. Champagne shipments from France have slumped for a second straight year as consumers are more closely minding their pocketbooks and the state of the world has put people in an overall sullen mood,

Related: Why alcohol sales are declining In other business headlines, military conflicts in several parts of the world, global political uncertainty and dissatisfaction, and inflation’s stubborn will not to go back down - are all taking a toll on the world’s party vibe.

The total number of Champagne shipments from France sank nearly 10% last year to 271 million bottles, marking the second consecutive year of declines as inflation-weary consumers cut back and a