The daughter of Claude Taittinger, CEO of TAITTINGER for 46 years, and Catherine de Suarez d’Aulan, whose family owned PIPER-HEIDSIECK from 1851 to 1988, Virginie Taittinger was genetically programmed to become a grande dame of champagne!

In 1986, Virginie Taittinger joined the company where, at her father’s side, for more than 20 years, she learned all the skills connected to the production, handling and international marketing of champagne, as well as other sparkling wines in California and Val de Loire.

“I always aim for each of my cuvee to give an unforgettable festive emotion that will surprise and excite your senses”. Each Cuvée has its own personality that suits todays taste. We have no other choice but to bring something new, innovative, and suprising from the assemblage to the packaging or the way we distribute our Champagnes!

Her son, Ferdinand Pougatch joined the adventure in August 2015. After graduating from McGill University in Canada he spent 3 years working in the wine and spirit world in New York. He is in charge of the e-commerce and the international development.

Time is needed to understand and love the Champagne making steps. It is crucial to integrate the younger generation in the Champagne making process to create the style and the soul of tomorrow’s Champagne. The empathy between mother and son is integral to creating a beautiful champagne for today.

“It is a rare and beautiful privilege for a mother to have the opportunity to share her savoir-faire with her son”.

Founder and CEO of Trois Noix, Napa Valley.
As a 2^nd generation winemaker, Jaime initially spent 24 years in Europe before returning to Napa. Moving to Europe, she didn’t work in Wine directly. Only after a career as a London theatreland actress, and earning her MBA from INSEAD, did she return to the World of Wine. First, she taught the French how to sell their wines. Then upon returning to Napa, she continued carving her own path. She created Trois Noix a wine that she wants to use as a platform for change.

Founder and Chairman of Top Selection Wines and 9elmswines, London.
Akos’s life reads like a John Le Carré novel. Hungarian born under the Soviet occupation, raised in Algeria in the ’70s, and trained as a special force he witnessed the Fall of the Berlin Wall from inside. Then he left for Western Europe and started working in Wine and Spirits. After earning his MBA from INSEAD, he moved to London where he founded Top Selection Wines. Since 2018, Top Selection has been the recipient of the UK Fine Wine Merchant of the Year award given byUK sommeliers. A first.

Chief Wine Officer of Girl Meets Glass, Paris.
Born and raised in South Side Chicago, Tanisha was not predestined to the World of Wine. In fact, she started studying cyber forensic. Then serendipity struck twice. The first time was at a Wine Festival in Washington where she asked all the wrong questions possible (so she can relate if you are new to Wine) but was still fascinated by this beverage. The second time was to move to her dream city of Paris. Going to the “Old World” and fulfilling her Wine dream, she pursues her mission to teach and educate about wine.

Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine Magazine.
Ray Isle is the Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine and the Wine & Spirits Editor for Travel + Leisure. He writes Food & Wine’s monthly “Bottle Service” column, and contributes regular print and online features about wine, spirits, and wine-related travel to both brands. His articles about wine, beer, food and spirits have appeared in a wide range of national publications, he has been nominated three times for a James Beard Award, and has twice won the IACP Award for Narrative Beverage Writing. He speaks regularly on wine at live events and is a frequent guest on national media, having appeared on programs such as Today, CNBC’s On the Money & Squawk Box, NPR’s “All Things Considered,” and American Public Media’s “Splendid Table,” among others.

Founder of A Table For Two.
After a long and diverse career as an entrepreneur, former athlete, radio host, and 3-time CEO, Antoine decided to go back to what he enjoyed most: Food & Wine and Media. He created A Table For Two a multi-format content creation house. Using the thread of Food & Wine, he not only helps the audience discover and understand other cultures but also engages them in related issues such as the Environment, Climate Change, Sustainability, or Diversity.

Running every 3 weeks, The Wine Hour is a show on the Wine World. Built around 3 segments, the show offers an entertaining yet insightful approach on wine-related topics and issues. You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy it. Though it is broadcast on Zoom, the show is made to be listened to. So grab a glass of wine, sit back, relax and enjoy!

If you love or are interested in Wine but you are not necessarily an expert, then this show is for you! The main idea is that you can enjoy Wine whatever level of knowledge you have. So, if you are curious and want to discover more about Wine, tune in.

In our first segment, Uncorked, our team of Wine Experts, Jaime Araujo, Akos Forczek and Ray Isle (from time to time), deliver comments on current trends from the Wine industry, market and personalities.

In Licensed To Taste, our second segment, Tanisha Townsend will talk about Wine in a friendly, introducing wine regions, or grapes among other topics. She will also answer your wine questions (not necessarily related to the show’s topics).

In our last segment, Have A Drink With Me, your host, Antoine Abou-Samra, has a relaxed conversation with the show special guest(s).

The Wine Hour will run every three weeks on Thursday at the following time:
20:30 UK / 12:30 PST / 15:30 EST / 21:30 CET

The Live Podcast will be aired on Zoom. Registration is mandatory.