Taittinger buys Savoie vineyard

Claire Taittinger, the wife of Champagne boss Pierre-Emmanuel, has acquired a small domaine in the Savoie region of eastern France, it has emerged.

In partnership with Savoie negociant and producer, Philippe Viallet, Taittinger stumped up €2m (£1.58m, US$2.58m) for the 18ha (hecatare) Domaine Les Fils de Ren¨¦ Qu¨¦nard.

The domaine is in the Chignin-Bergeron appellation, producing 100% Roussanne wines - Bergeron is the local name for Roussanne.

Taittinger, whose husband Pierre Emmanuel is general director of the eponymous Champagne house, said the investment was 'totally independent' from the business in Reims.