Every Saturday 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 Champagne lover Jelena van Eerdenburg. Merci Jelena !
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
BIO
Jelena van Eerdenburg
I am a cosmopolitan citizen of this world with Master’s degree in Law who, 10 years ago, embarked on a life journey of discovering the alluring world of wine. Being an absolute book worm, I grew my wine library proportionally together with my wine knowledge; CMS certified with WEST 3 certificate, I have started my own company ‘Somm in the house’ in wine, knowledge & entertainment. Currently, I am ventured into WSET 4: Diploma course & Weinakademiker in Austria.
Taking into account my passion and discovering which emotions this living organism, namely wine, evokes in me; I love to write about the poetry in the bottle. So, I am a freelance writer for the ‘Wine and Food Association’ in The Netherlands.
Nevertheless, studying wine is like studying medicine. Firstly, you start generic and with years you unearth the topic which makes your heart beat even faster. In my case, Champagne is that increased pulse. Champagne maps my glorious adventures; it invites us into conversations and stimulates all our physical senses.
A glass of Champagne is joyful yet comforting, exciting yet seductive, never boring and never dull. Champagne, as my dear friend said: ‘It oxygenates my body …and keeps me alive!’
[follow Jelena on Instagram here]
Which Champagne would You treat your parents or in-laws?
‘The ‘iconic’ Salon 2007. The intensity of single grape variety: Chardonnay as Homage to its Excellence. Out of respect and gratitude for life, for bearing with us in the most difficult vintages and inspiring us to be the best version of ourselves and never stop believing in us.
I possess my own bucket list of wines I dream to taste and the countries I would love to visit.
Salon has recently made it to my “dreams come true’ list. I have a tendency to share my top notch experiences with my beloved ones and thus I would treat my parents and mother-in-law this joy.
Salon 2007 in the glass is like decadent royalty. The olfactory senses are being savaged by a perfect maillard reaction. The crust of freshly baked bread spread by butter with Himalayan salt with an undertone of fresh lemon intertwined with white Tahitian grapefruit. Nuances of white tea with dried jasmine. The palate is creamy and chaperoned by vivid acidity with a relaxed elegance and plushness encased within sophisticated frame. The 2007 vintage was great for Chardonnay, but poor for the Pinot varieties, showing us that life can be great and disappointing at the same time, something my parents taught me while growing up.’
Which Champagne would You treat your lover?
‘Champagne tasting is an almost legendary moment; it is when body and soul come together. Fortunately, with age I let go of prejudgements and rules. It is like loosening up your corset… ‘
Jelena van Eerdenburg
‘Instead of focusing on perfection, I look for perfect imperfections. Back in the day, I would choose to introduce what I know well. Today, however, I value sharing the experience for the very first time together. My cellar guards some beautiful bottles and I am looking to share the so long sought after Krug 2008. May this bottle become a part of the epic tale of adventure and intrigue… ‘
Which Champagne would You treat your boss?
‘Luckily, I am my own boss and I never refuse to treat myself to Champagne! However, in september 2021 I was honoured to become an ‘employee’ of Bollinger (even though it was just for a fraction of time during the 2021 vendange). I would be thrilled to share a bottle of Vieilles Vignes Françaises 2008. To get acquainted with this hidden gem of unique ambience and charm, perplex history and limited lots.’
Which Champagne would You treat yourself?
‘In the place where dreams are meant to come true; in the heart of Piper Heidsieck, the Mekka of Rare Champagne, I have tasted a real gem. Rare 2006 with a mysterious sheer of smoke from first glance till the last drop… Indulging on a glass of the famous Régis Camus is like taking an oriental express train. A glorious bouquet of oriental spices and distinctive scents of yellow kiwi, crisp mango, dried apricots dipped in honey on the bed of peony petals are mesmerising. Luscious palate is being chaperoned sensationally by sprinkled white chocolate on the bed of cacao beans with waxy depth of honey and vanilla. Delicate yet graceful with ultimate finesse of pearl like necklace of pétilance. Orgasmic finish… ‘
‘In the private cellar of Régis Camus I have held in my hands a bottle from the legendary vintage 1985 – the year I was born. The idea of creating “a cuvée worthy of a queen” – the most mysterious tale of allure. Imaging the creation of something genuinely Rare in the same year I was was born must be the ultimate treat.’
JELENA VAN EERDENBURG
Which Champagne would You treat a dream guest, and why?
‘Krug Clos d’Ambonnay Blanc de Noirs 1995 – the very first esteemed vintage. I like to start from beginning of story telling: I would invite the living legend to share the bottle with, man I have met in 2018 Aubert de Villaine. I am a big fan of well crafted, archetypal examples of Pinot Noir driven Champagne and wine. Iconic wines of Aubert, have left the print in my soul forever. It would be an ultimate experience, to have insightful conversation and absorb breathtaking knowledge on true essence of ‘Ça pinotte’.’
[ what piece of music would you listen to drinking wine with Your dream guest ?]
‘Charles Aznavour – La bohème‘
