Born in 1777, Nicole Barbe Ponsardin married François Clicquot in 1798. Widowed at the age of 27, she resumed the business of her deceased husband. While Europe is ablaze, she managed to ship this champagne worldwide. Bold and imaginative, she presents her champagne all over Europe. Anxious to perfection, she visits the cellars at night to ensure the successful development of her vintages. She invented the riddling, bought plots in the best vineyards and actively fought against counterfeits. Madame Veuve Clicquot died in 1866 at the age of 89. Created in tribute to Madame Clicquot, La Grande Dame is marked by the pursuit of excellence: from the choice of grapes for this very special wine to the complexity of the blend composed of eight Grand Cru and the minimum ageing of six years to reach maturity, everything is done to create a great wine of Champagne.

This is the Reserve version of the Brut Carte Jaune wine (which is also in the dosage used for this Champagne), meaning that it is a more intense version of the house’s iconic bottle. Dominated by Pinot Noir like all of Veuve Cliquot’s Champagnes, the grape makes up 50% to 55% of the blend and finished off by 28% to 33% Chardonnay and 15% to 20% Pinot Meunier.
Tasting this Champagne reveals a rounded wine with a wonderful texture that comes from a six-month maturation after disgorgement. Peach, apricot and spiced pear mix with toast and brioche notes on the nose.
When it comes to pairing this Champagne, we would suggest you go for something like smoked salmon or a good-quality roast chicken. Pop open this bottle and serve it at 9°C.