Champagne Lanson has been unveiled as the official champagne of this year's Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, which is likely to bring thousands of yacht racing fans to the Isle of Wight this August.

The champagne maker has perfected its sparkling beverage over hundreds of years, and officials are hoping it provides the perfect tipple to help competitors - and their supporters - toast their successful team building sailing once back on dry land for the night.

Michelle Warner, sales and marketing director for Cowes Week Limited, said: "Throughout the week there will be plenty of reasons for celebration, particularly in this special Best of British year.

"Among those racing, there's a strong sense of teamwork and achievement after a hard day out on the water, and we're thrilled that we have the perfect partner in Champagne Lanson to help Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week competitors and visitors celebrate their own personal triumphs in style."

The Cowes Week regatta was first held in 1862, and has since gone on to become a major highlight of the global yachting calendar. This year it will kick off on August 11 and run 'til August 18.

Every day some 40 races will be held, featuring around 1,000 vessels all battling it out for the spoils - and the bragging rights which come with them. Thousands of competitors and tourists alike flock to Cowes in their droves to enjoy the sailing, and people wanting to get involved in some on-the-water action can do so with Sunsail.

Sunsail offers its own racing class at the yacht racing event, giving people the chance to get a taste of the high-octane sailing expected from Cowes with its fleet of Sunsail F40 vessels.

But when the sailing finishes there is also plenty to do during the evenings, with a range of parties and other events to keep people busy. To this end, officials from Lanson said its champagnes were fermented in a way that created a refreshing taste, which would be well-suited to the gatherings taking place as dusk falls over Cowes.

Gemma Wills of Lanson International said: "Champagne Lanson is very excited to be adding Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week to its schedule of events and associations with the sailing world.

"We're very much looking forward to sharing our champagnes with everyone at the regatta, especially our new White Label product which we will be introducing at this year's event."