Every Saturday TheChampagneSommelier will ask 5 questions about 5 coeur de bouteilles to friends and Champagne lovers from near and far. This week we had a bubbly chat with French Champagne lover & sommelière Béatrice Catillon aka bea_wine
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
BIO
Béatrice Catillon
« Bonjour à tous ! Je suis Béatrice j’ai passé une partie de mon enfance en Champagne et je suis maintenant en Vallée du Rhône méridionale. Curieuse et amoureuse du vin j’ai changé de cap professionnel pour ce monde-là. J’ai passé mon certificat de dégustateur professionnel à l’Université du vin à Suze La Rousse, une formation de sommelier conseil et je découvre, rencontre, partage sans modération ce que je déguste ! »
Béatrice Catillon
Hi there ! I am Béatrice, I spent part of my childhood in Champagne and I am now in the southern Rhône Valley. Curious and in love with wine, I changed my professional course for this world. I passed my professional taster certificate at the University of Wine in Suze La Rousse, a training as a consultant sommelier and I discover, meet, share without moderation what I taste!
[follow Béatrice on Instagram here]
Which Champagne would You treat your parents or in-laws?
‘Giving a rosé champagne to my mother is obvious to me because she was the one who made me discover champagne at a very young age, and more particularly rosé champagne. I would choose Laurent Perrier’s Grande Cuvée Alexandra rosé 2004, a selection from the best plots and a blend of the Grands Crus of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A rare and sought-after Grande Cuvée… ‘
Which Champagne would You treat your lover?
‘To my lover, who is a great lover and passionate about wine, I would offer him Substance by Jacques Sellose, a Blanc de Blanc made from a solera started in 1986. Of great and sublime complexity with a delicate effervescence, a champagne that enough on its own… ‘
Which Champagne would You treat your boss?
‘I would offer him the Ultra D cuvée from Maison Devaux, an Extra Brut, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the plots are selected and vinified separately. Purity, minerality, vivacity and length in the mouth, this champagne would go wonderfully with Gillardeau oysters… ‘
Which Champagne would You treat yourself?
‘La Grande Sendrée de Drappier, I discovered this same cuvée on the 2012 vintage during a tasting and I was seduced by its honeyed, almond notes, for me there was a comforting, sweet side… In the mouth we found aromas of fresh red fruits, it was delicate on the palate, a finish on a subtle minerality, it was of great finesse. But out of curiosity, I would treat myself to the 2008 vintage of this same cuvée… ‘
Which Champagne would You treat a dream guest, and why?
‘Nos pas dans la craie’ by Marie Copinet, a 100% Chardonnay cuvée, refined, delicate, the terroir is honoured, a chalk terroir from the Sézannais. Notes of lemon flesh, granny apple and slight hints of chalk. In the mouth it is supple, fresh, the effervescence is creamy, we find a chalky structure, a lemony acidity and a salinity on the finish.’
A frank and authentic champagne that I would offer to Simone Veil while listening to Sinnerman by Nina Simone
