Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin’s rich heritage, incredible history and distinctive labelling make their outstanding Champagnes instantly recognisable and highly sought after. Veuve Clicquots’s flagship Champagne, simply known as ‘Yellow Label’, is a non-vintage Brut style that is known for its aromas of white stone fruit and freshly baked biscuits and its citrusy, balanced finish. The vintage Champagnes, only made in the best years, are similar in character but with a greater depth of fruit, more toasty notes and robust structures. In exceptional vintages Veuve Clicquot also produces a prestigious, tête de cuvée called La Grande Dame. First made in 1969, La Grande Dame is homage to ‘The Grand Lady’ of the house, Madame Veuve Clicquot, and it is the pinnacle of Veuve Clicquot's style. Elegant, refined and delicate, La Grande Dame is rich, smooth and finely textured, with stunning complexity and extraordinary length.
Read more »
History
Veuve Clicquot was established in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot-Muiron, a banker and textiles merchant. From the outset Philippe expressed his desire to create one the best Champagne houses in France and aspired to distribute his Champagne across all borders. In 1798 Philippe's son, François Clicquot, married Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin and both took over the Champagne house shortly after. However, their time together would be short-lived as François died just 7 years later, leaving his widow in full control of the company. As one of first women to take charge of a major Champagne producer, after François’ death Madame Clicquot became known simply as ‘Veuve (widow) Clicquot’ and from that point on the brand was born.
Madame Clicquot was clearly a gifted woman. As well as creating the globally-known brand that Clicquot is today, she is credited with inventing some of the now traditional Champagne production techniques. Madame Clicquot’s ‘riddling’ table was a piece of equipment that allowed Champagne bottles to be placed neck down and gently rotated, until all the sediment from the secondary fermentation was settled in the neck of the bottle for easy removal. This method created brilliantly clear and clean Champagnes and remuage, or ‘riddling’ is now a core part of the Champagne production process, although today it is often done by machines. Madame Clicquot was also the first person on record to introduce a vintage champagne, in 1810. At the same time, Madame Clicquot was also fulfilling Philippe Clicquot’s original ambition of building an international Champagne brand, selling over 100,000 bottles outside of France. Madame Clicquot died in 1866, but her legacy still lives on today and the company remains both a substantial Champagne house and a globally recognised and respected brand.
« Collapse
Prices exclude VAT/duty, delivery and storage charges.
*Special bottle conditions apply. Please enquire for details.
Can't see the wine you want?
AWC prides itself on sourcing rare wines. If you cannot see the wine you are looking for, please contact a Wine Advisor for more information.