Whether you want to celebrate or relax, you can’t go wrong with a fabulous glass of perfectly chilled Veuve Clicquot Champagne. With a rich history, Veuve Clicquot is known for offering a high-quality Champagne that everyone appreciates. So what makes this champagne, after all these years, still a top choice? Here are seven facts about Veuve Clicquot that you can share with any Champagne aficionado!
🌟 More Than 200 Years Old
This business was started in 1772 and founded by Philippe Clicquot, a man who came from a family of bankers and merchants. This was four years before the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. In 1805, Madame Clicquot took over the business after her husband, the founder’s son, died. She was responsible for creating the first vintage Champagne in the area. Next time you pour a bubbling glass of Veuve Clicquot — which translates to Widow Clicquot — keep in mind you’re about to take a sip of history.
🌟 Inventors of the Riddling Rack
Known to be keen and cunning, Madame Clicquot was the first international businesswoman of her time and invented the method known as riddling. Instead of transferring wine from the bottle to bottle to remove yeast — which is time-consuming and can damage wine due to constant agitation — Clicquot devised a way to turn the bottles upside-down and twist them, causing the yeast to collect in the neck of the bottle. This method, which is still used by Champagne makers today, improves the overall quality of the product while reducing production time.
🌟 Hosts of the Polo Classic
Since 2007, the Champagne house has thrown an event unlike any other known as the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic. Entry fees range between $85 to $450, with the latter ticket price gaining guests a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Rosé, a gourmet lunch, and access to a garden-themed area to watch the polo match. The event is held on Liberty Park, just a short ferry ride from Battery Park in Manhattan. If you’re a Veuve Clicquot fan, buy a ticket and see if you can spot notable celebrities who are known to attend, such as Neil Patrick Harris, Alicia Keys, and Jennifer Lawrence.
pic credit: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/
🌟 Celebrating Madame Clicquot
Everyone has seen Veuve Clicquot’s signature Yellow Label, a symbol of the brand’s high quality and standards. But as of 2008, you can buy a vintage of La Grande Dame to celebrate Madame Clicquot’s success and 200 years in business. The first iteration of the vintage was made by Cellar Master Dominique Damarville, who wanted to pay tribute to Madame Clicquot by increasing the Pinot Noir levels to combine depth with silkiness and elegance. While the 2004 and 2006 variations of the Champagne consisted of more than 50% Pinot Noir, the 2008 vintage is made up of 92% Pinot Noir.
Taken in Vienna, Austria at a Veuve Clicquot pop-up event!
🌟 How Long Can You Store Your Bottle of Veuve Cliquot?
Did you know that most Champagnes stay good for years when stored unopened? Vintage Champagne can be stored for five to 10 years after purchase while non-vintage varieties typically keep for three to four years. The best way to tell if your Champagne is vintage is to look for a year on the label — a vintage Champagne will display this information while non-vintage brands do not. Once the Champagne has been opened, whether vintage or not, it will last up to three days (I don’t recommend any longer). My personal preference is to keep it for only one day after opening. Most importantly, be sure to have your Champagne properly corked in a refrigerator.
5StarTip🌟: Purchase a Champagne stopper that is designed for a Champagne bottle that seals tightly to maintain the integrity of the bubbles.
🌟 Food Pairings
Champagne has a secret — it can pair with many tasty dishes, including some you may not have considered before. Don’t be afraid to pair a glass with a platter of sushi, lobster, shrimp, cheeses, duck, oysters, chicken. If you’re looking for a snack to go with your late-night glass of Champagne, consider tasty favorites like potato chips, popcorn or cheese. However, you can’t go wrong by pairing Champagne with my favorite…chocolate!
🌟 Makes the Perfect Cocktail
If you aren’t one for drinking Champagne alone, try mixing Veuve Clicquot into a delightful cocktail. For a party with the girls, consider the Northern Lights, an eye-catching combination made with Champagne, rum, maple syrup, and raspberries. If you want something more sophisticated, try the French 75, which mixes bubbly Champagne with brandy, simple syrup and lemon juice. And when you want to relax in the sun, you can’t go wrong with a flute of Blitzen’s Bubbles, a mixture of Champagne, Benedictine, pomegranate juice and raspberries, all topped off with a refreshing sprig of mint.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t yet enjoyed a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, what are you waiting for? Not only did the company garner huge success under an inspiring businesswoman, the first of her kind, but it developed a reputation for class and quality. With all this said…the bottom line is that is tastes fabulous and I always find it a treat when I pop a bottle of Veuve Clicquot!
With events like the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, which is attended by renowned celebrities around the world, it’s not hard to see why. Even Queen Elizabeth gave this Champagne her stamp of approval, with Veuve Clicquot one of the select few brands holding a royal warrant. So, grab a bottle, pour yourself a glass, and channel your inner royal self! Cheers!
About Pamela Rossi
I am passionate about travel and taking each moment and making it a five star experience. My goal is to create those experiences for YOU!
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