Veuve Clicquot: The Widow...
Veuve Clicquot is a champagne house from the Champagne region of France. The house was founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot, and was later taken over by his widow, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, who became known as the “Veuve” or Widow Clicquot. Under her leadership, the house grew into one of the most prominent and respected champagne houses in the world.
What makes Veuve Clicquot champagne so special?
Barbe-Nicole Clicquot is also considered a pioneer in the Champagne industry because of her innovations in production methods. For example, she introduced the process of remuage, in which the bottles are regularly rotated and tilted to lower the yeast sediment to the neck of the bottle. This made it easier to remove the sediment and improve the clarity of the champagne.
Innovation
Another Barbe-Nicole innovation was the addition of a dosage to the champagne, a mixture of wine and sugar that is added before the bottle is finally sealed. The dosage helps regulate the flavor of the champagne and ensures a consistent style from year to year.
A perfect balance
Today, Veuve Clicquot is one of the largest Champagne houses in the world, producing more than 10 million bottles a year. Its range includes several Champagnes, including the Yellow Label Brut – the house’s most famous and iconic Champagne – as well as its Vintage and Rosé Champagnes.
Veuve Clicquot is also known for its distinctive packaging, with the recognizable yellow label. The color yellow was chosen by Barbe-Nicole Clicquot in the 19th century, in tribute to the dazzling yellow dress she wore during the coronation of Louis XVI in 1774.