Someone asked what my favorite Champagne was. That was a very easy answer, hands down, it’s Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut. It’s not cheap but not so expensive that I can’t indulge on occasion. Part of the reason I love this Champagne has to do with the woman winemaker that was ahead of her time. In 1810, against all the odds, Madame Clicquot became a business woman that changed the industry of Champagne making to what it is today.
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne
Philippe Clicquot founded (the now known Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin) winery in 1772 with the sole purpose of specializing in Champagne. Monsieur Clicquot married Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin in 1803. Sadly, she was widowed two years later. The Widow Clicquot took over her husband’s business renaming it Veuve (meaning widow in French) Clicquot Ponsardin. She proved to be a fearless entrepreneur changing the Champagne industry forever.
Madame Clicquot invented the process of riddling. It’s a process that removes the yeast from the bottle by slowly tilting and turning the bottles to gather spent yeast into the neck of the bottle. Once there, it can be removed by freezing the neck in brine, then removing the spent yeast and then the Champagne/bottle is re-corked.
Her motto was “Only one quality – the finest.” and it has remained so for the Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin winery up to modern times. In 1986, the company merged with Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessey.
The label itself has an interesting evolution/history. The symbols on the label are and represent:
- The Anchor was added in 1798 to represent hope and rigour (to be extremely thorough).
- The Comet (Star) was added in 1811 after a comet appeared in the sky over the vineyard to represent a star watching over the destiny of the house of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin.
- The Yellow Label was created in 1876 to discern the difference between their Dry (Brut) Champagne from the others in
a dark cellar. It has since involved, becoming their identifying color.
This is what the winemaker has to say about this delightful Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne:
“The strength of this golden-yellow wine is immediately pleasing to the nose while its complexity explodes on the palate. The initial notes of fruit are followed by more discreet aromas of brioche and vanilla when the wine is allowed to age in the bottle. It’s a perfect balance of finesse and forcefulness.”
I enjoy this champagne whenever I have an occasion to buy it. It goes with anything and adds so much to any celebration or to just celebrate life. I do find it’s great with a selection of quality cheeses, chocolates or some fruits. With Easter approaching, it would be an especially nice addition to your table.
You can find Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut at bevmo.com, wine.com, totalwine.com, amazon.com, World Market/CostPlus, Whole Foods and most any wine outlet, just ask your local wine buyer. Enjoy!
Time for a glass…
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