TWO MINUTES WITH | Vitalie Taittinger

What is your ‘last supper’ wine? 
For me it would have to be a ‘last party’ rather than a last supper! The 2006 vintage of our Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is the most special vintage we have ever created as a family because it was my father’s first vintage after buying back the business. I think that would be a fitting way to end the show. 

Where is your dream vineyard? 
I always find great comfort in returning home to my beloved Reims and seeing the Champagne vineyards stretched out before me. Because personally I am not a vineyard technician, I think of vineyards in a more poetic than viticultural way. So if I must nominate a vineyard outside of our own holdings, well, for that reason, I would choose Piedmont, where I love to spend time and where there is a charm like nowhere else. 

I also find California quite breathtaking, where of course we create some lovely sparkling wine, also from Chardonnay… And if I didn’t tell you anything about our new domaine in Kent, I would not be being true to myself! I love England and I am very happy to share the wine adventure of Domaine Evremond [due to launch this autumn] with our great British partners. The vineyards are absolutely stunning, and they are the first which I am following from the very beginning…

Who is your wine hero? 
My father for sure. When Champagne Taittinger left the family it broke our hearts, my father’s in particular. He is such a kind person with positivity emanating from all of him, but at this time he was visibly distraught. He worked so hard to buy back the company – and he faced a lot of difficulty in doing so. This period saw him step up to his calling and really believe in who he is, even when others did not believe in him. While I am very different to my father, he has shaped who I am and I am very grateful for that. 

What’s the next big thing in wine?  
We’re a Champagne house – we don’t believe in the next big thing! We are in the business of consistency and crafting something beautiful over many years. It is very important to us not to follow fads and trends – though of course we must remain humble and remember that we can always do better. But if I consider your question more broadly, the major challenge for Champagne – and one we are all totally involved in – is to integrate climate change, and constantly find new solutions to reduce our impact on the environment. That is very important. 

What’s your favourite wine memory? 
I couldn’t pick just one – I am so lucky to have a life that is full of wonderful memories.

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