BRUSSELS, December 27 (RIA Novosti) - Belgians are the world's top champagne drinkers, the Flemish newspaper De Morgen said Thursday.

Last year Belgium imported a total of 9.3 million bottles of champagne. This year the population of 10.3 million is expected to beat its previous record by quaffing 10 million bottles of bubbly, the newspaper said.

Global champagne sales have increased with over 400 million bottles of bubbly sold this year. Just eight years ago a total of 327 million bottles of champagne were sold.

Some experts believe the rising trend is down to growing demand in Russia and China.

Champagne is a sparkling wine produced exclusively within France's Champagne Region, from which it takes its name.