Vitalie Taittinger is the first woman to become the President of Maison Taittinger, founded in 1734.
Born into a family of winegrowers and growing up surrounded by vineyards, Taittinger was always destined to work in the world of wine.
Vitalie has been both an inspiration and an ambassador of the brand for eleven years and she plays a direct role in representing the Champagne House in France and abroad. Initially, she had not envisaged working in the family business: “I was brought up with the idea that you have to find your own path in life and not follow one that has already been set out for you.” Since then she has become imbued with a passion and energy for the challenge: “You should not just do things for no reason. They should be part of a story and have a clear intention”.
“I was brought up with the idea that you have to find your own path in life and not follow one that has already been set out for you”
Driven by the entrepreneurial spirit that runs in her veins, Vitalie Taittinger founded her own business in 2002 and embarked on several projects in the world of gastronomy and wine. In 2007, she joined the family business as product manager, then took on the role of artistic director, before climbing the ladder to become president in 2019, following her father Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger. It is with the help of Damien le Sueur and her brother Clovis Taittinger (Managing Director) that she took charge of her new duties.
The Taittinger family has managed the Champagne House for nearly a century. Its aim has always been the pursuit of excellence. “Having our family name on a bottle places demands and responsibilities on every detail. The name on the bottle conveys both the skills and knowledge of the past and a commitment to the future.”
In addition to her professional achievements, she is the mother of four and somehow manages to juggle both career and motherhood. She is a rare thing, a female leader in a traditionally male-dominated industry. This might be seen as a burden for some, but she carries the role lightly.
“Having our family name on a bottle places demands and responsibilities on every detail”
Under her stewardship, Taittinger continues to innovate while respecting centuries-old traditions of champagne production. She has launched a new range of wines in collaboration with chef Guy Savoy, which uses older varieties of grape to produce wines with even more character. She has also launched a limited edition of bottles in homage to the city of Reims, where the champagne house is located.
Vitalie has a strong love of art. She collaborated with Gilles Bernard to write a monograph on the surrealist painter Alfred Courmes, published by Le Cherche Midi in 2004. She was fascinated with the painter from an early age as her father had collected his works. It became an inspiring and life-long passion. Vitalie Taittinger has maintained her interest in art and assumed the presidency of the Champagne Ardenne Regional Contemporary Art Fund in 2017.
There are so many fine Taittinger champagnes to choose from, but we recommend the exceptional Rosé Prestige Brut made of a selection of the best pinot noir and a high proportion of Taittinger’s signature chardonnay. The pinot noir grapes give this Champagne its luminous pale pink colour. On the nose, aromas of red fruits and gooseberry are revealed, as well as subtle floral hints. On the palate, this wine is fresh, with the elegance and finesse you would expect from this legendary Champagne house. It would work perfectly with a wide variety of dishes, such as fish, shellfish, white meats and even fruity desserts. Its delicacy and complexity make it a wine of choice for special occasions, but also for more intimate and convivial moments.
Price of the 75cl bottle: €64.99
