Alice Paillard runs the eponymous Champagne house her father Bruno Paillard founded in Reims, France in 1981. She started working alongside him in 2007 and took the reins in 2018. As a girl, she had a strong urge to explore so she spent time in New York, Venice and London before heeding the call of home. Today she juggles the family life, business and motherhood with aplomb.

The best advice I ever got

To trace your furrow, attach your ploughshare to the stars.

My life motto

I always ask about everything I do: is it meaningful? What is the bigger picture? What does this bring to our lives?

I am currently reading

Le grand bonheur: Vie des moines by Nicolas Diat

My most played music track

Jazz music by Brad Mehldau or choral music.

If I didn’t do my current job I would be

Conductor of an orchestra.

Skill I don’t currently possess but would like to have 

Speaking Japanese.

My favourite kind of exercise

Hiking. It is a need and a connection to your body and what is around you.

I relax while

Listening to music and cooking.

I collect

I am not a collector.

My essential newspaper/magazine

Le Point - the magazine of Le Figaro and, while travelling, L'éléphant.

My desert-island wine

Bruno Paillard Rosé Première Cuvée

I have learnt a lot from

My grandmother and my parents and from my first boss who was British.

My last meal and sip will be

The Bruno Paillard Nec Plus Ultra 2008 and a slightly toasted baguette with a slice of black truffle, some olive oil and a grain of salt.