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 Andrew Jefford.
BIO
Andrew Jefford has written about wine for 32 years. He’s a columnist for Decanter and World of Fine Wine, and Academic Adviser to the Wine Scholar Guild. His books include The New France, Whisky Island and Andrew Jefford’s Wine Course. He writes short texts on twitter @andrewcjefford.
Which Champagne would You treat your parents or in-laws?
‘My parents are dead, but my in-laws live on. My father in law likes lemonade in his wine, but my mother-in-law prefers it without, as does the rest of the family. We would all enjoy Ayala ‘Brut Majeur’ in our different ways, and I mean no disrespect to either drinker or marque; lemonade in Champagne is not a crime, and the wine must be pure, true and upright to carry the lemonade.’
Which Champagne would You treat your lover?
‘I think a creamy Champagne is essential for the purpose you have in mind. That means Charles Heidsieck, of course, and the irresistible ‘Blanc de Millénaires’ 2006. Felicity must follow.‘
Which Champagne would You treat your boss?
‘I have been my own boss for 32 years, so I have to convince myself that I am still worth employing. Better be something serious: Larmandier-Bernier 2010 ‘Terre de Vertus.‘
Which Champagne would You treat yourself?
‘I like layers, and depth, and resonance, and the chance to carry on drinking once the bubbles have fled: Krug ‘Grande Cuvée.’
Which Champagne would You treat a dream guest, and why?
‘Ok, let’s go for the top here: William Shakespeare. (The creator of Falstaff must have loved taverns and drinking: it’s all there in the language.) I will serve him ‘Dom Pérignon Rosé’ 2006 because both bottle and wine are beautiful and I think he would like it. We will listen to Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel and look out of the window and I will just let him talk about the wonder that he sees. That will be ten minutes to remember.’
