The Proust Q&A: Anselme Selosse

Anselme Selosse took over the grower Champagne estate named after his father, Jacques Selosse in 1974. Domaine Jacques Selosse holds 7.5 hectares of vines spread over Chardonnay plots in the Côte des Blancs — Avize, Cramant, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger — and a few Montagne de Reims plots, dedicated to growing Pinot Noir, in Aÿ, Ambonnay and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. In his first few years at the helm of the estate, Anselme slashed yields, rid the estate of chemicals, and emerged as a ‘terroir’ pioneer of the relationships between healthy, organic soils and Champagne. In 1994, he was named best French winemaker by the French restaurant guide, Gault Millau.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

I do not know if perfect happiness exists. My search for happiness is not the happiness in itself but the quest to find it. Maybe I will be fine when I would feel my kids to be radiant and autonomous.

What is your greatest fear?

My biggest fear is not being up to it as a human being in other people’s eyes or becoming pretentious.

Which living person do you most admire?

The Dalai Lama or Matthieu Ricard.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I don’t know and I do not want to do something purely for its extravagance. It is enough to dream of something without being compelled to actually experience it.

What is your current state of mind?

I am worried. Worried about the egocentricity and self-centredness for both human being and nations. Worried about the rise of populism around the world. Worried about people who are not looking after other people, who are not looking at their neighbours. Worried about people who take selfies and who look only at themselves. Socialization is declining.

What is the quality you most look for in a woman?

Honesty and fantasy.

Who or what is the greatest love of your life?

My wife Corinne.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

The right action. The truth is not in the extreme, the path is in the centre, the balanced path. I also question why? a lot.

When and where were you happiest?

I do not know if there is one place. My life is scattered with moments of happiness in many places.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

Nothing, I fell, I got lost, I made mistakes but what is important for me, is there’s always tomorrow.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I would like to be more of a music-lover and to be able to play one or more instruments.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

It’s tomorrow which is important, I would be more precise if I have more experience.

Where would you most like to live?

Where culture still exists. Where there is joy of life. Where there is nice water to drink. Where there is culinary tradition. Where there are pristine landscapes surrounded by nature. Where people enjoy life. I am thinking of Italy, Morocco and Bhutan.

What is your most treasured possession?

Freedom.

What is your most marked characteristic?

My freedom of thought and my refusal of any routine.

Who is your favourite writer?

I have several. Dino Buzzati, René Barjavel, Jules Vernes and Boris Vian.

Who is your hero of fiction?

Colin from the French film, L’Écume des Jours, Boris Vian and Peter Pan.

What is it that you most dislike?

Bad faith.

What is your greatest regret?.

I like to think I have none. I grow with the help of my mistakes.

What is your motto?

The world belongs to him who gets up early. Today is to create tomorrow.

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests and what three wines would you serve?

Elon Musk, Steve Jobs and Emmanuel Macron. I would serve: Gérard Valette Clos de Monsieur Noly 1990, Jean François Ganevat Les Vignes de Mon Père 2002, Francesco Valentini Trebbiano des Abruzzes 1995 and Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva Espécial 1989, 1990 and 1994.