Interview With The President Of Champagne Lanson – François Van Aal

The love of Champagne is infinite, a language that everyone can understand, a sparkle that can shine in anyone’s glass, it can connect people, brings them together and places a smile on faces around the world.

In this exclusive article we speak with François Van Aal, the President of Champagne Lanson, let’s discover a little about his time in the Champagne Industry.

It’s Great To Speak With You, Francois, Can You Tell Us A Bit About Yourself & How Your Incredible Journey Into The Wine Industry Began?

“I am French, with a Dutch name, a Belgian father and a Spanish Grandmother!

I would clearly describe myself as very open to international culture by having studied in the US and having lived in Australia for 2 years and the USA for 7 years.

After a few years in the advertising industry, my career in the wine business started in 1994 at Rémy-Cointreau.

I had a fantastic 23 years in this beautiful Cognac family house learning about both domestic and travel retail environments in Europe, Asia and America.

I feel extremely lucky to have worked in what I believe is the most exciting industry which is wine, liquors and spirits.

The combination of both off and on trade distribution makes it very special.

The history, the know how, the global approach of marketing makes this industry very stimulating.

And those are brands dedicated to sharing, celebration, and getting people together across the world.

I joined Champagne Lanson in January 2019 and the last 5 years have been extremely intense but very rewarding with the progress that our teams at Lanson have managed to accomplish on every aspect of the construction of a solid Brand.”

Do You Remember Your First Experience With Champagne Lanson? When It Was And What Label?

“Champagne Lanson is 264 years old this year!

I am not that old yet, but I was first exposed to the Brand in my early twenties through family celebrations and events, and I did not imagine one second that I would join this fantastic Maison a couple of decades later…

I remember having the Lanson Black Label, which is the multi vintage flagship of the house, back in the late 80’s when it was part of the BSN-Danone group.

What a journey since for the Brand.”

During Your Time As The Président Champagne Lanson, What’s The Most Interesting Thing You’ve Been Able To Learn?

“I learn every day which makes my job never boring and always thought provoking.

The most interesting thing I have learned is certainly the genuine feeling of the power of a strong team working together in the same direction; when this happens truly, anything is possible.

I learned that the most important asset in a company is its people.”

Have You Had A Chance To Explore The Oenotheque Range From Lanson And Have You A Favourite Older Vintage?

“Well, I am lucky to be invited from time to time by our Cellar Master Hervé Dantan to experience a tasting of an old bottle.

Champagne Lanson is known for the treasures we have in our cellars.

Important quantities of the best vintages of the 20th century, starting in 1904, mostly in magnum.

The most memorable year I tasted was 1959, which was the year of birth of our importer in the US market; 63 years later, the Champagne was just perfect with an incomparable freshness for a wine of this age, thanks to the non-malolactic fermentation which describes the style of the Lanson wines.

Our US importer brought it back to the US and exposed the empty bottle at his company lobby in Chicago, next to a frame with the hand written note of our cellar master describing the harvest conditions in 1959.

You cannot buy time, and you cannot buy such moments of sharing and emotions.”

Can You Share With Us One Of The Most Memorable Experiences You’ve Enjoyed With A Glass of Bubbly?

“Many memories holding a glass of Champagne, but what comes to my mind spontaneously is a moment when time stopped a few summers ago when our UK team, our cellar master and myself received the Royal Warrant Association wine committee into our bio-dynamic organic vineyards of Verneuil, on a beautiful sunny July afternoon enjoying with a view on the Marne vallée a glass of the Lanson green label cuvée. Our guests did not want to leave because the moment was just perfect…. and I think they missed their train back to London!”

Thank you François, for sharing your story and experiences with us and we at Glass of Bubbly wish you the very best for the future!

Images belong to François Van Aal. Glass of Bubbly was granted permission to use them.