The champagne house, based in Reims, was founded in 1734 by champagne merchant Jacques Fourneaux, making it the second oldest after Ruinart. The cellars of the former Saint-Nicaise Abbey date back to the 13th century. The company was bought in 1931 by Pierre-Charles Taittinger (of Austrian origin) together with his brother-in-law. He increased the property through extensive purchases. From 1942 to 1960 François Taittinger, after his death Claude Taittinger (1927-2022) managed the company. In 2005, two thirds of the entire company, which besides champagne production also comprised several hotels (including the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris), were sold to the US stock corporation Starwood due to inheritance disputes. Just one year later, however, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger (nephew of Claude Taittinger) bought back the champagne production with the help of a bank consortium for a reported 660 million euros, which he justified not least with his emotional attachment to the company. Since 2006, he has been in charge as managing director. Virginie Taittinger, Claude Taittinger's daughter, also works in the management.
The company's own vineyards cover 280 hectares of vines, which are planted with the classic champagne varieties Pinot Noir (about half), Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Around the same number of grapes are purchased from contract winegrowers, mostly from the Champagne region Côte des Blancs. Chardonnay-accented champagnes are produced; the most popular brands are Brut Réserve, Brut Prestige Rosé and Prélude. The Cuvée de Prestige is called "Comtes de Champagne Blanc", of which there is also a rosé version. In June 2013, Taittinger presented its official champagne for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. A total of about 4.5 million bottles of champagne are produced annually, more than half of which is exported. About 15 million bottles are stored or mature in the cellars. The Domaine Carneros vineyard in California's Napa Valley, where sparkling wines and still wines are also produced, is part of the estate.
