Champagne is such a celebratory, and evocative wine. Its development has been due to the individual achievements of various people, some famous, others less so. Among them all, a special place is deservedly kept for Madame Clicquot. She dreamed of creating champagne that would conquer the world. She was an audacious businesswoman. Her vintages are the delight of champagne lovers and epicureans the world over. She was given the accolade of 'la grande dame de la Champagne' by her contemporaries, in recognition of her determination to deliver 'only one quality, the finest'.
Madame Clicquot's life could have been typical of that of many 18th-century young ladies in France. Born into a wealthy family, she made a good marriage to Francois Clicquot, who owned a champagne business, in 1798, before giving birth to a little girl called Clementine. However, her natural curiosity encouraged her to take an interest in the House's affairs, and when her husband died prematurely, she decided to take up the reins of the estate.
Only 27 at the time of her husbands's death, Madame Clicquot railed against the traditions of the day and took the reins of the family business. She was a woman of great vision, and her success in building the prestige of the House made her one of the most impressive business women of modern times. Her strength of character and business sense transformed her family-in-law's trade into a great Champagne House. While her representatives travelled throughout Europe and her champagne was shipped across the seas the world over, Madame Clicquot personally took charge of the cellars, choosing her motto as "only one quality, the finest".
In Madame Clicquot's time, champagne was a cloudy wine and needed to be decanted before drinking. Always eager for improvements, Madame Clicquot invented 'remuage' or 'riddling'. This revolutionary process ensured crystal clear wine and is still used by all Champagne Houses today. She gradually acquired land in vineyards with the best crus, which are now part of Veuve Clicquot's exceptional wine heritage. Her contemporaries already considered her as a great lady and she became known as the "Grande Dame de la Champagne".
In 1810 the House took the name of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, and produced its first vintage champagne. Veuve means widow in French.She died in 1899, in her chateau, surrounded by those she had loved with generosity and tenderness. Today her influence is tasted in every bottle of champagne sold by Veuve Clicquot, reigning over an empire of bubbles appreciated by all connoisseurs of excellent champagne and epicurean tastes.In 1772 Philippe Clicquot established a wine merchant's business under the name of Clicquot.
In 1775 Clicquot became the first Champagne House ever to ship rose champagne.
On December 16th, 1777 Barbe Nicole Ponsardin, the future Madame Clicquot is born.
Phillipe's son, Francois Clicquot, dies of a fever. He leaves behind a widow, Barbe Nicole Ponsardin.
With great foresight, Madame Clicquot shipped 10,000 bottles to Russia, just as Napolean's nautical blocks fell, thus she beat out all competition. Her wine met with such success that the House could not keep up with the demand. The Russian market grew steadily until about 1870.
Why is champagne known to be better in magnum than in a regular 750ml bottle? Magnums offer the optimal size to age wine. During the aging, the wine is "breathing" through the cork and gives those so appreciated yeasty, biscuity notes. And, of course there is more for everyone as a magnum is twice the size of a regular bottle.
What are the greatest vintages in Champagne?
It is very hard to give an objective ranking of the best vintages ever in Champagne as it is usually down to personal opinion. However, the following vintages are known to be among the best: 1998, 1996, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1985, 1979, 1976, 1969, 1959, 1955, 1949, 1947, 1943, 1934, 1929, 1921, 1918, 1904...
How long can I keep my champagne?
Non-vintage champagne can be enjoyed upon release, but it may be stored for up to two or three years. Vintages and La Grande Dame can age longer, up to 10 to 25 years depending on the style of each vintage. To know more about any particular aging capacity of a vintage you should contact the champagne House.
What is the pouring temperature of champagne?
Pouring temperature should be adapted to each kind of champagne: young non-vintage champagne, with no year on the label, should be poured around 46 degrees Fahrenheit. More mature wines, Vintages and La Grande Dame, should be poured between 54 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit.
How should I cellar my champagne?
Champagne should be stored in the same manner as any regular fine wine. It should be kept at a cool and continuous temperature. Ideally 50 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit or at most 59 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition a high humidity, over 75 percent, good ventilation and darkness are the proper cellaring conditions.
yours truly,
witsanwisdom
