Veuve Clicquot

Madame Clicquot was born in Reims in 1777. As the daughter of Baron Nicolas Ponsardin, her social standing allowes her to provides an excellent education, founded upon the traditional morals and values of the time. In 1798 she married François Clicquot, son to the founder of the Maison Clicquot. François shared his passion and knowledge for champagne creation and distribution with his young wife. It was because she had spent this time at his side that Madame Clicquot was able to take the reins of the family house after the untimely death of François in 1805.

1810. Madame Clicquot proves her innovative prowess by creating the first vintage champagne ever.

She would seize each new opportunity that arose, willing to take risks, and as such she was able to expand her business to all four corners of the world. As she gained in boldness and daring, Madame Clicquot overcame the continental blockade that raged in Europe and in 1814. she managed to ship 10550 bottles of her wine to Saint-Petersburg. Her champagne received a triumphant welcome in Russia, and was praised by Pushkin, Chekhov and Gogol.

Uncompromising when it came to the quality of her wines, she perfected new techniques of production. She invented the “table de remuage” (riddling table) in 1816. to clarify champagne, and innovated the very first blend of rosé champagne in 1818. . Within just a few years she made her name into a brand of excellence, a name today renowned throughout the world. Even then, her peers recognized her formidable contributions, and referred to her as the “Grande Dame of Champagne“.

In 1877, in keeping with the audacious spirit of Madame Clicquot, the House distinguished itself by putting a yellow label on its bottles. The very first yellow label was officially registered at the Court of Reims, under the leadership of Madame Clicquot’s successor Édouard Werlé, on February 12, 1877. The simbol of the anchor that can be found on each cork of Veuve Clicquot champagne was added by the founder of the house, Philippe Clicquotas a token of hope and prosperity. The simbol of comet was added on the corks lately, in 1811. by Madame Clicquot when a celestial comet graced the skies of Champagne, and it was credited with an exceptional harvest.

Since 1772 when it was founded, the Veuve Clicquot House has since lived by its motto, "Only one quality, the finest". "Yellow Label" is its signature champagne, the symbol of the House's art of blending, defining the Veuve Clicquot style through a perfect balance of strength, aromatic intensity, freshness & silkiness. Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin implemented new techniques and improved its wines yet again with the important oenological discoveries of the times. It extended its industrial heritage, in 1909. setting up home on the outskirts of Reims in the "crayères" (ancient chalk quarries) where the visitors’ centre and production site are now located.Since the mid-20th century, Veuve Clicquot has paid tribute to the loyalty of its workers. Some of its famous Crayères are given employees’ names who have spent at least 40 years working for the House. Enameled plaques can be seen in the cellars featuring their names.

In 1972. to mark its 200th anniversary, the House launched its prestigious vintage cuvee La Grande Dame and created the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award, a tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit of Madame Clicquot.