Vitalie Taittinger

Vitalie Taittinger, art and marketing director at Champagne Taittinger

Vitalie Taittinger Following in her father’s footsteps has been no easy feat for Vitalie Taittinger. The heiress to Champagne Taittinger wears many hats, as wife, mother and art and marketing director to the family brand. In between her busy schedule, Vitalie recently found a rare moment to sit down with Ashley Pini and chat about her career, working for the family business and her first taste of Champagne. PHOTOGRAPHY LUC VALIGNY THE FACE BEHIND ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS CHAMPAGNE BRANDS

“BUT MOST OFTEN, IT’S REALLY TOUCHING TO SEE THE ATTACHMENT OF PEOPLE TO MY FAMILY NAME. IT INSPIRES A PARTICULAR EMOTION IN PEOPLE.”

Ashley Pini: You started your career as a designer. What made you change careers and work for the family business?

Vitalie Taittinger: The Taittinger House was sold and then bought back by my father. I was very impressed by the risk he took and the success he had. I wanted to pursue this adventure with him and my brother to ensure the continuity of the family name. I decided to continue the legacy of our family and work for the brand they built.

AP: You wear many hats; wife, mother and art and marketing director of Taittinger. How do you achieve a work/life balance?

VT: It’s true, I don’t have much free time; I work a lot and sleep little! All of my roles are very important to me. I’m lucky to be surrounded by great people in both my professional and personal life.

AP: Would you like your children to follow in your footsteps and have a career with Taittinger?

VT: If they want to follow this path, I’d be very pleased, but there’s no obligation. I don’t want to constrain them. My priority is that they feel good and are confident in their abilities. I want them to develop their personal talents and desires.

AP: When did you first taste Champagne Taittinger?

VT: My first memories of champagne are from my childhood. My parents organised a lot of dinners and receptions and when they had their backs turned, I would taste the champagne at the bottom of the glasses left by the guests. By this stage the champagne bubble had gone, so it was more like tasting wine. AP: When people hear that your surname is Taittinger, what has been the most interesting response?

VT: Sometimes, they don’t believe me; they say, “I asked your name, not the name of your company!” But most often, it’s really touching to see the attachment of people to my family name. It inspires a particular emotion in people.

AP: Do you enjoy Champagne that isn’t Taittinger?

VT: Of course! I like to try other brands regularly and it gives me great pleasure. We have a remarkable diversity in the world of champagne, which is incredibly exciting to explore.

AP: When you’re not drinking Champagne, what do you enjoy to drink?

VT: It depends on the moment. For example, when it’s very hot I’m happy drinking a cold beer. I enjoy a glass of wine, and it’s always a pleasure drinking a glass of Bordeaux or Burgundy. I love to explore, and when I’m travelling I always try the wine from the region I’m in!

AP: What’s it like working with your family? Is there ever any family rivalry?

VT: There is absolutely no rivalry. We are very different but we complement each other, and it’s part of our strength. It was our choice to work as a family, so we are happy to work together. The goal is not to compete with each other, but to make Taittinger thrive. We are lucky to get along and have a father who trusts us.

AP: In your Champagne portfolio, what’s your personal favourite?

Pierre–Emmanuel Taittinger, president of Champagne Taittinger and his daughter Vitalie Taittinger, art and marketing director.

VT: It all depends on the occasion. I love the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs for its purity, finesse, elegance and complexity. Its taste takes you on a real journey in time. But I also feel very proud when I see the Brut Réserve served in a magnum at receptions. The Réserve is an elegant champagne and is consistently exceptional. This varietal really embodies the ethos of the Taittinger House.

AP: You must attend many stunning events representing the brand. Share with us one of the most extravagant and memorable events you have attended?

VT: The Nobel Prize ceremony this year was exceptional. It was amazing to see Patti Smith surrounded by an orchestra, performing Bob Dylan’s song with so much emotion. It’s a great ceremony, celebrating talents who far surpass us but who exhibit a lot of humility. We were very proud to associate our name with the event; it’s a very special partnership for us.

AP: And finally, can you share any details on the 2016 harvest? What can we expect when we pop the cork in years to come?

VT: The climate has been complicated, but the 2016 harvest will produce excellent quality wines. Our house will make an exceptional Comtes de Champagne this year, but the vintage will be very rare. We want to maintain the consistent quality of our wines while constantly trying to improve. Finally, we have some beautiful projects to come, but all remains a secret at this stage. Some great surprises to come!