Veuve Clicquot

Veuve Clicquot was founded in Reims, Champagne, France, in 1772. Barbe Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, born in Reims in 1777, took charge of the company her father-in-law had founded after she was widowed at the age of 27. Innovations credited to Madame Clicquot include the first known vintage champagne, the invention of the riddling table, and the first known blended rosé champagne, which she created in 1818. The House is now owned by Moët Hennessy.

Brut Yellow Label is blended from 50-60 crus - 50% Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier and 30% Chardonnay - with up to 45% reserve wines and a Brut dosage of 9 g/L. The House holds a collection of 400 reserve wines, aged up to 30 years. Brut Rosé builds on that blend, completed with 12% Pinot Noir red wine, and La Grande Dame 2018 is 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay drawn from historical crus.

Brut Yellow Label and Brut Rosé are both served at 8-10°C, with an ageing potential of 3 to 5 years and 3 years respectively. La Grande Dame 2018 is served at 10-12°C and has an ageing potential of more than 15 years. RICH is at its most expressive on ice or very chilled at 4°C; the House ritual is to fill the glass halfway and gently add an ice sphere.

• Brut Yellow Label with a radish and shrimp salad with grapefruit, or a delicately stir-fried vegetable wok
• Brut Yellow Label with the Maison’s signature burger: grilled meat, caramelised onions and a fine slice of melting cheddar
• Brut Rosé with sashimi or a generous slice of pizza
• Brut Rosé with aged cheeses: Ossau-Iraty, fresh goat cheese, tomme de brebis, Gouda, Mimolette and Irish cheddar
• Brut Rosé with a red fruit dessert, such as a light tart or a tangy sorbet
• RICH with mango, pineapple or seasonal white fruit, sweet-and-salty cuisine, and spicy dishes such as vegetable curry
• La Grande Dame 2018 with ocean-inspired flavours such as scallop carpaccio or lemon linguine with shellfish