MJ’s guest today is second generation sommelier, restaurateur and the U.S. Ambassador for Charles Heidsieck Champagne, Philippe André. Many of you may know him by his IG handle Nique Somm.

Philippe first developed a passion for hospitality and wine education growing up in the fine dining restaurant business. He answered his professional calling working as the Wine Director at his family’s highly esteemed French-American restaurant, Oceanique in Evanston, Illinois. There he managed a cellar of over 1,300 selections and oversaw a dedicated Sommelier team. In 2018 Philippe was offered a chance of a lifetime and accepted the U.S. Ambassador role at Charles Heidsieck to re-launch the historic brand in New York and to bring the wines of the Crayères onto the grand stage they deserve. MJ and Philippe discuss his childhood growing up in the fine dining business in Illinois. Philippe shares his personal journey from a winemaking apprenticeship at the Momtazi Estate, located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley to his time as a Portfolio Manager on the Moët Hennessy USA team at Southern Glazers’ Wine & Spirits. His story of landing his Charles Heidsieck gig will inspire you to never, ever change who you are or how you do things. As if that wasn’t enough, these two talk about Tom Ford suits, Ferrari’s and cigars so you know this episode is literally “lit!”

A huge thank you to Philippe André!

Follow him on IG @niquesomm

Learn more about Charles Heidsieck: https://charlesheidsieck.com

Follow them on IG: @charlesheidsieckchampagne

This episode’s in studio wines:

Charles Heidsieck

Blanc Des Millenaires

2006

Blanc de Blancs

Charles Heidsieck

Brut Reserve

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Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers and wine drinkers!

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Champagne Supernova. How Philippe André (aka Nique Somm) Became Champagne’s First Black Brand Ambassador.

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