Every Friday 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 2020 Best Sommelier of Greece & champagne lover – Eleftherios Hanialidis. Merci Eleftherios ! 5 bottles & 5 questions Eleftherios Hanialidis [gre]
BIO
Eleftherios Hanialidis
Eleftherios Hanialidis began his career in the gastronomy industry in 2001 and has worked for many years as a head sommelier but also as a consultant in restaurants, wine bars and wine retail stores. He is a Certified Sommelier by Genius In Gastronomy, he has obtained the A.S.I. Diploma (Gold Pin) and the Advanced Sommelier Certificate of the Court of Master Sommeliers.
His first time competing back in 2017, he managed to take 3rd place in the best sommelier of Greece competition, thus gaining the award of Best First Appearing Sommelier of Greece, and in 2020 he managed to win the title of the Best Sommelier of Greece. Since 2019, he has been a member of the board of directors of the Greek Sommelier Association, a columnist for Oinoxoos magazine of Kathimerini newspaper and a Star Wine List ambassador for Greece.
Throughout his career, he has been a judge for several prestigious wine competitions and is constantly expanding his knowledge and skills concerning not only wine, but also sake, spirits and beers, as he is preparing for the Master Sommelier examination.
| Best Sommelier of Greece 2020 |
| Vice-President of Greek Sommelier Association |
| Columnist at Oinoxoos Magazine |
| Founder of www.prephylloxera.com |
| Star Wine List Ambassador for Greece |
Which Champagne would You treat your parents or in-laws?
‘Since nobody in my family is a wine connoisseur (except my brother), I would go for an impressive, round and expressive Champagne like Krug Grande Cuvée 160ème Édition that would surely impress even a non-regular wine consumer.’
Which Champagne would You treat your lover?
‘My girlfriend is very picky when it comes to Champagne and sparkling wines in general, so this would be a difficult choice. Because she prefers bolder and richer styled wines I would go for a Comtesse Marie de France Blanc de Noirs 2008 by Paul Bara.‘
Which Champagne would You treat your boss?
‘Since we just started working together and I can’t be sure about his taste in Champagne, I would go for a Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2004. I think this is a wonderful Champagne that can impress any wine professional and wine drinker.‘
Which Champagne would You treat yourself?
‘I would treat myself with something unique like Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 1999, the last vintage of the 20th century. ‘
Which Champagne would You treat a dream guest, and why?
‘I don’t think I have a “dream quest” to be honest with you. My “dream quests” are the persons close to me, with whom I’d share a bottle of Henri Giraud Argonne Rosé 2004.’
What piece of music would you listen to drinking wine in question 5 ?
‘I would choose the album Wisdom of Crowds by Bruce Soord and Jonas Renkse...‘
