- Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin -
"The art of champagne"
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin is a Champagne house founded in 1772 and based
in Reims. It is one of the largest Champagne houses.
Madame Clicquot is credited with major breakthroughs, creating the first
known vintage champagne in 1810, and inventing the riddling table
process to clarify champagne in 1816. In 1818, she invented the first
known blended rosé champagne by blending still red and white wines, a
process still used by the majority of champagne producers.
During the Napoleonic Wars, Madame Clicquot made strides in establishing
her wine in royal courts throughout Europe, notably that of Imperial
Russia. She played an important role in establishing Champagne as a
favored drink of high society and nobility throughout Europe. The house
has borne its distinctive yellow label since the late 19th century. The
company was purchased in 1986 by Louis Vuitton (now part of the LVMH
group formed in 1987) and continues to expand worldwide.
Photographs taken of the Veuve Clicquot House & Vineyard from my personal collection:
