The champagne house was founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot, a fabric merchant in Reims. When his son, François Clicquot, died suddenly in 1805, François’s 27-year-old widow, Barbe Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot, took over the company – no small feat for this bold and audacious 19th-century woman.
At a time when women had few rights, this young woman was determined “to depend on no one”. Driven by her uncompromising vision and her inventive spirit, Madame Clicquot created the first known vintage champagne in 1810. A few years later, in 1816, she developed the riddling table, and in 1818 produced the first known blended rosé champagne.
From harvest to shipment, and at every step of the process, Veuve Clicquot is mindful of Madame Clicquot’s words: “Our wines must be flattering both to the palate and to the eye.”
She left the House with a legacy of optimism, and striving for excellence, audacity and innovation, which continues to inspire us today.