French count sues champagne brand after it hires former porn star to promote it

'Simply scandalous'

(Instagram @claramofficiel)

A descendant of the Charles de Cazanove champagne dynasty is suing the new owner of the family brand after they chose to use a former porn star to promote the product.

Loïc Chiroussot of Bigault de Cazanove is furious with the current owners of the brand for choosing Clara Morgane, a former adult actress, as its newest ambassador. He's now planning to take the owners to court unless they remove his family name from the limited edition bottles.

The pink champagne bottles in question prominently feature the name of the champagne brand, as well as Ms Morgane’s name, and have been promoted with a series of provocative photos of Morgane holding the bottles on social media.

He told the newspaper L’Union, “I am really shocked by this association."

He said, “It's simply scandalous! How can I associate the name of my illustrious family with that of Clara Morgane? It is inconceivable! If they knew, my ancestors would turn in their graves!”

Mr Chiroussot's family founded the brand in 1811, and the business was passed down until 1983 when it came under the control of the Moët-Hennessy Group. The current owners, the Rapeneau family, bought the brand in 2004 but kept the name.

Ms Morgane, who left the porn industry in 2001 to pursue a singing career, isn’t worried by the threats - and has even offered to send the furious count a bottle of the limited edition pink champagne.

Responding to the controversy, Morgane wrote on her Instagram page, “This gentleman CHIROUSSOT, great nephew of the family, should have asked the question of the will of his ancestors before the sale of their name and that, a long time ago.

“I imagine that his little anger prevented him from tasting our delicious nectar. I propose to send him a bottle so that he can have a good time of liberating emotion.”

But despite her peace offering, the case will go before a court on January 9 in Lille.

The limited edition champagne is currently available for purchase for £44.

The Independent has contacted both the Rapeneau family and Ms Morgane for comment.