Every Friday TheChampagneSommelier will ask 5 questions about 5 coeur de bouteilles to friends and Champagne lovers from near and far. This week we met up with Sandia Chang – a sommelière with passion for grower Champagnes. Restaurateur since 2012 @ bubbledogs and Kitchen Table.
Sandia Chang BIO
My bachelor degree was in Hospitality Management from California State University of Pomona. I also have a Culinary Arts Degree from The Culinary Institute of America, Greystone. Started learning about wines whilst studying in Napa Valley. Moved to New York to pursue a chef career but was deferred and ended up in FOH at Per Se by Thomas Keller.
After that went to work at Noma in Copenhagen. Moved to London and worked for Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley and then opened up Roganic by Simon Rogan. My husband and I started our own business in 2012 with bubbledogs and Kitchen Table.
Grower Champagnes has always been a passion of mine and what was missing in England so bubbledogs was my way of championing this.
In the 8 years, here are just a few of the accolades we achieved; won 2 Michelin stars for Kitchen Table, Welcome and Service award from Michelin and GQ Front of House of the year. I have also done appearances on’s BBC Saturday Kitchen as the wine expert.
[follow on Instagram here]
Which Champagne would You treat your parents or in-laws?
‘RH Coutier ‘Henri III’. They are all red wine drinkers and this cuvee is opulent and rich and can really satisfy those palettes that wanting those red fruit qualities.‘
Which Champagne would you treat your lover?
‘Emmanuel Brochet ‘Le Mont Benoit’. James is very sensitive to high acid wines. He always found the perfect balance in Brochet’s wines.‘
Which Champagne would You treat your boss?
‘Jacques Selosse ‘Substance’. He would have never tried anything like this before and this was my epiphany wine that got me into the business. Plus, he’s paying for it!‘
Which Champagne would You treat yourself?
‘Cedric Bouchard ‘Creux d’enfer’. I really just want to drink a whole bottle of this to myself alone in silent. No sharing.‘
Which Champagne would You treat a dream guest, and why?
‘My dream guest would be Mulan and we’d be drinking Marie Courtin ‘Concordance’. It’s all about women power!‘
PS2 [ what piece of music would you listen to drinking wine in question 5 ? ]
Today was a Good Day by Ice Cube.
Sandia, Thanks for the bubbly chat!
Read more in the series ‘5 bottles & 5 questions’
