Behind the vine
Anne Malassagne - AR Lenoble - Champagne, France
When do you think you fell in love with wine, enough to make a career of it?
I was born in Reims and lived there until I turned 18. I was not supposed to take over from my father, but when he informed his children in 1993 about his decision to sale the estate, it did not take me very long to make the decision to leave my job at L’Oréal in Paris to join him.
The first 10 years have been really tough. I started when I was young, with very little knowledge about wine and, even worse, I was a woman in a male-dominated world. I had no credibility at all, and I had to constantly fight to convince others of my legitimacy while simultaneously learning the secrets of Champagne on the job.
However, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to come back to the estate to keep it in the family as I have always been a great fan of Champagne - what I consider to be the most happy drink.
What story does your wine tell?
It tells a genuine and strong story made of our convictions and beliefs.
Who is a woman that inspired you?
All women doing wines are admirable and we have to support each other. This is the reason why Maggie Henriquez and I set a group called La Transmission. It is a group of 9 women leading Champagne houses. Our target is to promote Champagne, to increase the awareness of women in the wine world but also to share our experience and our background to encourage other women to join us.
What misconceptions about wine do you think people should forget?
Some people consider that wine is not healthy. It is very important to educate young people to teach them about wine. Drinking too much is dangerous but sharing a bottle of wine with the family or with friends is sharing an experience. Wine is part of our social life as long as we appreciate it with moderation. Enjoy wine as you enjoy a happy experience of life.
“The best bottle you open is the best moment you live.”
— Anne Malassagne
What great things about wine do you think people should remember?
Producing wine is a very hard work. Looking after the vines is a hard job and the whole process of production requires a serious background. It is a hard job and pretty risky. Each year the quality and quantity of harvest depends on the weather and we notice that the global warming affects the quality of the grapes and may impact the quality of our wines. We have to adapt our vinification and our process of production to keep our wines fresh despite the evolution of the climate.
What is a piece of advice you would give to a woman interested in breaking into the wine world?
Go go go! Follow your desire, your inspiration, your feeling. They must dare to join the wine world to increase the awareness of women in this male-dominated world.
Where can women find your wine?
It depends in which country but usually in retailers or restaurants.