Champagne Lanson has confirmed the appointment of François Van Aal as its new President, following the retirement of Philippe Baijot.
Van Aal studied at Northeastern University in Boston and then at Dauphine University in Paris before starting his career in advertising at a number of organisations, before moving into the liquor industry.
In 1994 Van Aal (pictured below) joined Rémy-Cointreau, where he has held a number of senior positions.
During his time at Rémy-Cointreau, Van Aal has held successive positions in Marketing, Sales and Profit Centre management and has worked in the US, Europe, the Middle-East and Africa.
TheShout understands that Van Aal’s experience will see him focusing on the sales and marketing of Champagne Lanson, and helping to develop the house’s international markets and presence.
Last year Lanson launched its Green Label Organic Champagne in Australia, with Business Development Manager Charlotte Agard telling TheShout that this is quite a rare wine.
“There are very few organics Champagnes and we would be the largest House to be producing one at this stage,” Agard said.
“In 2011 Lanson bought some organic plots, 16 hectares in total, and this is only produced from those extra vineyards which are truly certified organic grapes.”
Chef de Caves, Hervé Dantan added: “It’s a very interesting wine, 16 hectares, one estate for a limited number of bottles. The idea is not to increase the quantity, our organic Champagne will only be coming from this estate.
“On this vineyard we have Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. The wine is 50 per cent Pinot Noir, 30 per cent Meunier and 20 per cent Chardonnay. It is located in the Marne Valley and this is a region where the wines are very fruity and with organic viticulture we have also managed to reveal a lot of saltiness and minerality. But the main difference between organic and non-organic is that you can express higher levels of minerality and this wine is a really good example.
“There is still a lot of fruitiness in the wine, pear and green apple but also sunflower and honey notes, so this is a wine that is really dynamic.”
Champagne Lanson is currently available in Australia through Young & Rashleigh Wine Merchants