Champagne Taittinger UK brand ambassador Justin Llewelyn dies

Published: 11 December, 2012

Champagne Taittinger UK brand ambassador Justin Llewelyn, who played a pivotal role in the development of the sales and image of the brand over 40 years, has died.

Llewelyn who had not been well for some time, passed away on December 8, just a few days before his 60th birthday, following a heart attack. Noted as being "always one to spread happiness and fun", he attended the Hatch Mansfield Christmas party the night before he died. He had worked alongside the agency since 1998 developing the brand through the hotel and restaurant sector as well as the specialist retail sectors in the UK.

He had, until recently, been the Consul General for Great Britain for the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne and a dignitaire and member for the Conseil Chapitral, the governing body of the OCC. He conducted talks and tastings throughout the UK and was known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of the world of Champagne.

Hatch Mansfield managing director Partick McGrath said: "Dear Justin was without doubt one of the kindest and most generous people that we will ever meet. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. Over the past 20 years he worked tirelessly to promote Taittinger in the hotel and restaurant industry and it is due to his hard work and total commitment that Taittinger is such a strong brand in this sector today. He will be sorely missed by all of us and we must remember all the happy times that we had with him."

He added: "He was a man of many talents, with a wicked sense of humour, and I for one am going to miss him dreadfully"

Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, president of Champagne Taittinger, said: "Justin Llewelyn had a Champagne soul and attitude. Friendship, elegance, generosity and a natural sense of humour. As an ambassador of the French culinary traditions, he was a real epicurian and on top of it a marvellous Champagne compagnon, not only for the Taittinger house and family but also for the Champagne fraternity as general consul of the Ordre des Coteaux. Like his father he was also a great and passionate actor, but in the field of Champagne, for the best bubbles of our dreams and lives."

Llewelyn, who lived in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, leaves behind his wife Claire, and daughters Rosamund and Charlotte. He was also the son of Desmond Llewelyn, who played the legendary Q in 17 James Bond films, he was an admirer of all things Bond and enjoyed the fact that Taittinger Comtes de Champagne was 007's choice in Casino Royale.

As well as his knowledge of Champagne, Justin was also one of the UK's leading equestrian commentators working at such well-known events as, Badminton, Blenheim, Burghley and the Gatcombe National Championships. He also acted regularly as FEI steward and was proud to officiate as a steward at the last three Olympics.

There will be a small family funeral before Christmas with a memorial service to follow early in 2013.

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