An Evening With Clovis Taittinger

A champagne soiree featuring some of fabulous bubblies from the famous Champagne House Taittinger was organised recently at the Megu Alfreco, the upscale Japanese restaurant at the Hotel Leela Palace New Delhi. This sparkling evening witnessed attendance by many renowned wine people from the capital city.

Personally it was a landmark evening for me since I got to meet and interact with my favourite wine or rather champagne personality : Clovis Taittinger.

My fascination for Taittinger goes back many years when, while researching for an article, I read about one of their founder figures Pierre Taittinger. As a young cavalry officer in First World War, Pierre happened to visit La Marquetterie, a chateau building which was being used as a military headquarters in the First Battle of Marne.

Legend goes that he was so impressed by this building that 20 years later he would return to acquire it. Château de la Marquetterie thus became a place of great symbolism and is now considered the original birthplace of the Taittinger Champagne House.

With that as a backdrop I was excited to see their current scion Clovis Taittinger. Reaching the venue a bit early I also got an up close and personal interaction with him in the bar.

Initially I found Clovis to be a reserved person (if not shy) but as the evening progressed he came about as a true showman, something which is expected naturally from the head of one of the leading champagne houses in the world.

Clovis addressed the guests and spoke at length, not only about his own life as the head of Taittinger, but also about his close connection and fascination for India and the Indian culture.

Towards the end, I coaxed him for a indian style group selfie to which he graciously agreed.

So that was a personal account of meeting with my current favourite personality from the world of champagne. Hope you liked reading this as much as I loved writing it.

Cheers !!