Sex sells, and one Champagne house is taking that approach to heart with the hiring of its latest brand representative. Charles de Cazanove has partnered with former adult film actress Clara Morgane, and debuted a sparkling rosé named after her. But one of the descendants of the family that originally owned the Champagne brand is less than amused.
Count Loïc Chiroussot de Bigault de Cazanove is a French nobleman, and his great-great grandfather Charles Gabriel de Cazanove founded the Champagne brand in 1811. The family sold the brand to Martini & Rossi in the 1950’s, and it changed hands several times until Champagne GH Martel purchased the label in 2004.
Now the count is appalled that the Champagne brand bearing his family’s name would be associated with an adult film star. “I am really shocked by this association. It’s simply scandalous! How can I associate the name of my illustrious family with that of Clara Morgane?” he told French newspaper L’Union. “It is inconceivable! If they knew, my ancestors would turn in their graves!”
The count has filed a lawsuit against Charles de Cazanove to prevent his family’s name from being associated with the former adult film actress. Morgane responded to the count’s outrage on Instagram. “This gentleman, great nephew of the family, should have asked the question of the will of his ancestors before the sale of their name a long time ago,” Morgane explained.
She concluded her retort by proposing to send the count a bottle of her namesake Clara Morgane Cuvée Brut Rosé for him to enjoy.