Every Friday TheChampagneSommelier will ask 5 questions about 5 coeur de bouteilles to friends and Champagne lovers from near and far. This Week we took a bubbly chat with Slovenian Champagne lover Manca Gaspirc. Merci Manca !
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
BIO
Manca Gaspirc
This is not a story about me. It is about us, me and my champagne: till cork do us part.
There are so many reasons why I love champagne. First, you never stop learning. Either about terroirs, winemaking techniques, and different philosophies of the Houses, you name it. Then there is food pairing, music pairing or both at the same time. Anytime or anywhere elevating your experience: enjoying a glass of champagne in the jacuzzi or having a picnic in the park. Champagne is love and is passion. Champagne is full of emotions that make you spin and fall in love head over heels, when you find that new amazing bottle you havenít had before. Champagne is simply art.
[follow on manca.and.champagne here]
Which Champagne would You treat your parents or in-laws?
‘Growing up close to Slovenian Alps, my family has always had a strong connection with Nature. There is no doubt in my choice: I would treat them with Henri Giraud. Focused on sustainability and protection of natural resources (especially Argonne forest) and passion for creative and natural winemaking is the connection my parents would truly appreciate. Can’t think of better than Fût de Chêne MV17 Grand Cru; multi vintage cuvée with 2017 base wine (2/3 of the blend, the rest completed by perpetual reserve) with gorgeous expression of terroir, aromas of clementine, toast, nutty, minerals and intense, lasting finish.‘
Which Champagne would You treat your lover?
’A story: Billecart-Salmon. House was founded in 1818 with the marriage of Nicholas Francois Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon. For celebration of love I would pick house’s flagship cuvée Brut Rosé in a jeroboam size of course. A romantic champagne, full of freshness and finesse.‘
Which Champagne would You treat your boss?
’I am sourrounded with strong and persuasive leaders. So, it is always fun to get people out of their comfort zone and having them to try something they had no idea it existed. I happen to share a bottle of Champagne Jacques Selosse few months ago with my director, who loves wine, but claims he is not a big fan of champagne. Decanted bottle of Initial (On which he commented: ‘Wait what!? Champagne can be decanted?’ ), served at perfect temperature and paired with food. Selosse did what Selosse does to people. Shock and earn respect.‘
‘Selosse did what Selosse does to people. Shock and earn respect.‘
Manca gaspirc
Which Champagne would You treat yourself?
‘I have a long list of all champagnes I want to try. Since I haven’t had a chance to taste champagne from the year I was born, I would choose Krug 1988.
Founder Joseph Krug believed the true essence of champagne is pleasure (and therefore enjoyment). Krug is well-known for emphasizing on music pairing, connecting the music sensations and enjoyment with the champagne masterpiece. Music has always been a part of my life, from when I used to work as concert photographer or enjoying live concerts nowadays. Summer music festival with Krug 1988, there’s no better way to treat yourself.‘
Which Champagne would You treat a dream guest, and why, and who’s is Your dream guest?
‘Arne Hodali is a Slovenian photographer and traveller. I first met Arne when I participated at his photography class when I was 18 and then somehow ended up joining him on a trip to France to attend photography festival in Perpignan with few others. Arne is a great character and is easy to talk to. His passion for photography and art in general, travel stories and genuine love for life inspired me until today. After all these years, when I also turned the world upside down myself, visited over 80 countries and have my own bunch of stories to tell; it would be great to sit down with Arne again and have a glass. Not a Bordeaux wine as we had back than in France; but a bottle of champagne.‘
‘I would pick Dom Perignon 2004 in magnum. A fantastic champagne, that should be shared in a great company with great conversation. Because no story started with someone drinking water. Right?‘
What piece of music would you listen to drinking wine in question 5 ? ]
‘Antonio Vivaldi: Four Seasons, Concerto No. 2 in G Minor ‘Summer’
All four seasons are equally important in the vineyard. However summer, my favorite season of the year, is also a start of veraison. A dramatic transformation in berry development’
