The French Ambassador in India has said his country would only be too happy to see liquor baron Vijay Mallya become a major player in the French Champagne industry, but for that to happen he needs to first outsmart competition, reports the Press Trust of India.

"We would be happy to see Mallya take a position in the French Champagne industry. If he is able to make a successful bid, we would welcome it," the French Ambassador in India, Dominique Girard, said on the sidelines of a public function. Mallya, whose United Breweries is the world's third largest alcoholic beverages maker, has plans to acquire French winemaker Bouvet-Ladubay, a subsidiary of Taittinger, for Rs 67.5 crore.

Only last month, the liquor baron had opted out of a race to acquire Taittinger after local groups resisted his bid. The Champagne house was finally sold to a French regional bank for US$849 million.

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