Welcome to the very first episode of Sparks by VinoVonk. A series in which I sit down every two weeks with inspiring people from the wine world — winemakers, importers, sommeliers and wine lovers — to talk about the stories behind the bottle. No stiff interviews, just personal conversations of about 15 minutes where the passion and vision behind the wine take center stage.
For this launch one name could not be missing. An importer who specializes in small champagne growers and who built the philosophy into the brand name itself: Mijn Champagne Moment (My Champagne Moment). Joshua joined with a Jean Laurent Blanc de Blancs from the Côte des Bar.
This episode was recorded in Dutch. Watch on YouTube with auto-translated subtitles via the link above.
Who is Joshua
Joshua fell for champagne in 2010. Not for the grandes marques, but for small growers who put real passion into what they bottle. What began as a personal search for a wedding bottle grew into Mijn Champagne Moment — an import company focused exclusively on smaller champagne growers in France.
Joshua’s mission lives in the name. He believes we should celebrate small moments more often, and that champagne is the right partner for that. Not only for big occasions, but for “the new series you put online”. Hence this bottle to mark the launch.
“I really fell in love with champagne in 2010 — champagne from small growers who care passionately about what is in the bottle.” — Joshua
What “small champagne grower” means
In the world of Mijn Champagne Moment, “small” does not mean 100 bottles. But among the 1,500 producers in Champagne it does mean the growers stand apart from the mass houses:
- Smallest grower in his range: 2 hectares → about 20,000 bottles per year
- Largest grower in his range: 20 hectares → about 200,000 bottles per year
Compared with mass champagne production (Möet or Veuve Clicquot work in the tens of millions), these are all small, hand-driven producers with their own signature.
Many of these growers live closely tied to their land — they grow their own vegetables, make Ratafia from the third pressing of the grapes (which legally cannot become champagne), and try to keep the cycle as closed as possible.
How Joshua finds producers
The method is simple: knock on the door. Literally.
Joshua’s first experience came during his honeymoon planning. He was in Champagne with his wife to find their wedding bubble. On the way home, after several visits to big houses, he saw a small house with “champagne” on a sign. He rang the bell.
“The lady was cooking. I said I wanted to taste, but you are busy. She said: come in, sit down, I am making lunch. We do everything together — just join us at the table.” — Joshua
Five glasses later, Joshua was sold. One producer became two, two became five, five became 100+. Today Mijn Champagne Moment has over 100 different champagnes in the cellar.
“My goal is to find my favorite champagne grower in every village in Champagne.” — Joshua
Tasting the Jean Laurent Blanc de Blancs
The bottle in this episode comes from Jean Laurent, a family business in the Côte des Bar — the southern part of Champagne, just above Burgundy. They originally made Burgundy and have now been making champagne for over a century.
Specifications
- Grapes: 100 percent Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs)
- Cuvée: five harvest years in the blend, for taste continuity
- Lees ageing: five years in the cellar after assemblage
- Total time from oldest grape: up to ten years — a seriously aged champagne
- Dutch importer: Mijn Champagne Moment (exclusive)
Tasting
In the glass a beautiful floral nose, white blossom, fresh apple, a hint of rosemary and thyme in the background, plus bread dough and vanilla cookies from the long lees ageing.
The palate opens fresh, then the maturity sets in. Creamy without becoming buttery, with a long finish and a round mouthfeel. What stands out: the combination of freshness up front and ripeness in the back is exactly what you hope for in a properly aged Blanc de Blancs.
“I really love that maturity. The legal 15-month minimum lees ageing for champagne gives you a young product. This bottle has serious time, and you taste it.” — Joshua
How to open a champagne bottle
Joshua’s tips:
- Well chilled, not too cold — otherwise you taste nothing
- Remove the muselet (wire cage) first — just unscrew, five and a half turns
- Keep your thumb on the cork, bottle at a 45-degree angle
- Turn the bottle, not the cork — easier to feel when the cork starts to lift
- At the end let the cork rotate slightly — a minimal sigh, no bang
- Pour into a tulip glass, not a flute — otherwise the aromas have no room to develop
Frequently asked questions
What is Mijn Champagne Moment? A Dutch importer focused on small champagne growers across France. Active since 2010, with over 100 different champagnes in the range. Joshua personally visits every grower and is often the exclusive Dutch importer.
What is a Blanc de Blancs? A white champagne made entirely from white grapes. In Champagne that is in practice always 100 percent Chardonnay (although other white varieties like Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Arbane and Petit Meslier are also allowed).
What is the Côte des Bar? The southernmost part of the Champagne region, just above Burgundy. Pinot Noir dominates here, but there are excellent Chardonnay parcels. Less famous than Reims or Épernay, but the wines are top quality.
What is Ratafia de Champagne? An aperitif made from the third pressing of champagne grapes (which legally cannot become champagne), where the must is fortified with alcohol. Many small growers make it themselves to use the full cycle of the grape.
The bottle in this episode
Jean Laurent Blanc de Blancs. 100 percent Chardonnay from the Côte des Bar (southern Champagne, just above Burgundy). Five harvest years in the cuvée, five years lees ageing. Floral, fresh, creamy — a properly aged Blanc de Blancs. Exclusively imported by Mijn Champagne Moment.
More about Mijn Champagne Moment
Visit mijnchampagnemoment.nl for the full range of over 100 champagnes from small producers. Joshua’s own YouTube series puts the growers themselves in front of the camera — recommended for anyone who wants to see the world behind the bottle.
For the second conversation with Joshua about champagne basics and the difference between Blanc de Noirs and Blanc de Blancs, see Sparks episode 25.
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