Laetitia Bléger: France’s newest Winemaker
Miss France 2004 and French Playboy centerfold, Laetitia Bleger, has just added a new title to her resume. Winemaker. Her first bottling, called Précieux (Precious), is a blend of Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewürztraminer from Domaine de Windmuehl, the Alsace estate where her father Claude Bléger makes white and red wines. The brand has been rolled out in a label-free version of the traditional Alsace-style bottle that features, naturally, the serigraphic image of a slender and attractive woman.
Her reign as Miss France 2004 was cut short as a result of her decision to pose for French Playboy before her reign ended. We understand the progressive nature of the French and how a pictorial in Playboy might undermine their sensibilities.
We therefore applaud our fellow French winemakers for extending Laetitia a vino haven.
This follows a recent trend in what is a growing field of celebrity winemakers. Francis Ford Coppolla was one of the first but within the past several years the list has grown considerably.
Gustave Viennet in France with Sacre Bleu, Dan Aykroyd of Niagara Cellars, Sam Neal with Two Paddocks and even Mick Fleetwood with his Private Cellar are all part of the game now. Winemakers have become the new stars on the celebrity scene.
