Veuve Clicquot

The story of Veuve Clicquot begins back in the year 1772. In that year, Philippe Clicquot founds the champagne house. Shortly afterwards, he hands the house over to his son François Clicquot. When he dies, his wife Barbe Clicquot Ponsardin becomes the new head. The widow, called veuve in French, thus becomes one of the first businesswomen at the time. In 1986, the champagne house was acquired by luxury group LVMH.

Veuve Clicquot's vineyards are located in the regions of La Montagne de Reims, La Vallée de la Marne, La Côte des Blancs and La Côte des Bar. 95% of all plots are classified as Grand Cru or Premier Cru. Plantings are dominated by chardonnay, followed by pinot noir and pinot meunier. The first sustainable and organic practices were introduced in 2002. Since 2018, the champagne house has been working 100% organically and no chemical pesticides are used. It takes between 380 and 420 man hours a year to work one hectare, this does not include the manual harvest. So maintaining the vineyards is very intensive when you consider that the house owns some 390 hectares. More than 1,000 people are employed during the harvest season. It also buys grapes from local vintners with whom it has built lasting relationships.

Didier Mariotti is the house's Chef de Cave (cellar master). He is responsible for the blending process and vinification. To determine the blend, more than 700 still wines are tasted by 10 different winemakers. Together, they arrive at the final blend. Reserve wines make up 40-45% of the blend. More than 400 reserve wines from 17 different vintages are therefore stored in the cellar. La Grande Dame is the prestige cuvée and is a tribute to Madame Clicquot. The winery regularly collaborates with a famous artist. For example, Japanese artist Yayoi Kusame created a special design for the 2012 La Grand Dame and Paola Paronetto for the 2015 vintage.

At Veuve Cliqcuot, everything is about precision and quality. Its motto is not for nothing: 'One quality, the finest'.