MEET MADAME CLICQUOT; The Queen of Premium Champagnes

Barbe Clicquot (nee Ponsardin) Widow Clicquot or Veuve Clicquot (16 December 1777 – 29 July 1866), known as the “Grande Dame of Champagne”, was a French businesswoman who took on her husband’s wine business when widowed at 27.
Here are some interesting things about the famous champagne you did not know about.

1.Veuve Clicquot means “Widow Clicquot”
Barbe- Nicole Ponsardin widowed at the age of 27, just seven years after marrying the son of Phillippe Clicquot- Muiron, Francois Clicquot.

2.Madame Clicquot was the first Woman to ever own a champagne House. Talk about girl power!!

Barbe Clicquot Took over as the head of the family Business following the untimely death of her Husband.

3. Veuve Clicquot was founded Over 200 years ago.
The Champagne house was established by Phillippe Clicquot- Muiron in 1772. The company was involved in Banking, wool and champagne production.

4. The Art of Sabrage

Madame Clicquot sent champagne to soldiers during the Napoleonic wars, who began the tradition of using their Swords to open the bottles which is Known as “Sabrage”.

5. Madame Clicquot Invented the “Riddling Rack”

Madame Clicquot and the house’s cellar master created the riddling rack which allowed a more efficient process of premium sedimentation for the final corking of Champagne bottles.

It is still used by sparkling producers around the world.

6. The Queen of England Drinks Veuve Clicquot too!

Veuve Clicquot holds the royal warrant of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. This royal warrant enables Veuve Clicquot to advertise the fact that they supply to the royal family.
A Champagne fit for Royals!!

7. Veuve Clicquot sells over 1.5 Million case of Champagne each year.

400,000 of those cases go to the United States!

8. Veuve Clicquot’s Signature Yellow Label has adorned the bottle for over 180 years!

The label started appearing on bottles around 1835 and was officially trademarked in 1877. It was created to distinguish “dry” bottles from the usual sweeter ones in the British market and became a huge hit.

9. Veuve Clicquot created the first-ever vintage champagne.
After five years of war, bad vintages and near-failure, Madame Clicquot celebrated the success of 1810 with the first single-vintage Champagne. The concept became a huge success the following year, when the iconic 1811 vintage champagne was labeled ‘The Year of the Comet’.

10. Veuve Clicquot was one of the first of Rosé Champagne.
Veuve Clicquot was the first to produce rosé Champagne by adding still red wine to its sparkling. First made in 1818, Veuve Clicquot Rosé is now made by adding Pinot Noir to the classic Yellow Label.