Champagne Veuve Clicquot
Champagne house in Reims, Montagne de Reims.
- Village
- Reims
- Region
- Montagne de Reims
- Founded
- 1772
- Cuvées in the guide
- 27
## History
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin was founded on 20 September 1772 by Philippe Clicquot Muiron in Reims. The real transformation into a global brand took place under the leadership of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot-Ponsardin (1777-1866), who took over the business at the age of 27 after the death of her husband in 1805. She introduced groundbreaking innovations, including remuage (turning bottles for clarification) in 1816, the first vintage champagne in 1810 and the first rosé d'assemblage in 1818. The iconic yellow label was registered as a trademark in 1877. The house has been part of LVMH since 1987 and its 24-kilometre-long chalk cellars (crayères) have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2015.
Vineyards
The estate has approximately 390 hectares of vineyards, spread over the main sub-regions: Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs and Côte des Bar. The grape planting consists of approximately 47% Chardonnay, 36% Pinot Noir and the rest Pinot Meunier. Despite this large holding, only about 20% of the annual harvest comes from its own land; the remaining 80% comes from contracts with approximately 400 winegrowers. The house applies sustainable farming principles, has been free of herbicides since 2018 and holds ISO 14001 and HVE 3 certifications.
Working Methods
Veuve Clicquot is known for the "style de Reims", in which Pinot Noir plays a dominant role for power and structure. The house focuses strongly on blending and the craftsmanship of the cellar master to guarantee a consistent house style. For the Brut Carte Jaune, grapes from 50 to 60 communes are blended. Production is supported by a technical team of agronomists who guide external suppliers in the areas of pruning, soil management and vinification. In the 20th century the house introduced gyropalettes (1979) to automate the riddling process, although 8% of production is still done by hand.
Champagnes
The house's main cuvées are:
- Brut Carte Jaune: The house's best-selling champagne (85% of production), characterised by a powerful, structured style.
- Brut Carte Jaune Rosé: Made by blending red and white wines, with a considerable share of reserve wines for consistency.
- La Grande Dame: The prestigious vintage cuvée, named after Madame Clicquot, made from grapes from Grand Cru communes such as Verzenay and Avize.
- Veuve Clicquot RICH: A new, easy-to-drink cuvée that is ideal served chilled or on ice.
- Vintage Champagnes: Vintage champagnes (e.g. 2004) in which all the grapes were picked in that specific year.
Cuvées by Veuve Clicquot
Importers
Veuve Clicquot is imported by: Best of Wines, Boonstra Wijnen, Bovino, De Larense Wijnkoperij, Gall & Gall, HANOS, Heeren van Heusden, Huis van Champagne, L'Atelier du Champagne, Moët Hennessy Nederland, Pasteuning Wines & Spirits BV, Perfecte Wijn B.V., Thiessen Wijnkoopers.
Where it is sold
Shops and wholesalers carrying Veuve Clicquot: Best of Wines, Boonstra Wijnen, Bottle Hero, Bovino, Cavissima, Christian Winecellars, De Larense Wijnkoperij, Gall & Gall, Goedkoop Drank Slijterij, HANOS, Heeren van Heusden, Huis van Champagne, L'Atelier du Champagne, Muselet, Pasteuning Wines & Spirits BV, Perfecte Wijn B.V., Sligro, Slijterij Henk Peter, Ton Overmars, Vinify, Wijnhandel en Slijterij Brouwer, Wijnhandel Peeters.
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