Unbelievable Creatures

II – Veuve Clicquot (1777 – 1866)

Her obsession for a perfect beverage
generated the most famous wine
champagne in the world.

Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin’s life could have been typical of that of many 18th-
century young ladies in France. Born into a wealthy family, she made a
good marriage to François Clicquot, who owned a champagne business, in
1798, before giving birth to a little girl called Clémentine.

However, her natural curiosity encouraged her to take an interest in the house's affairs, and, when her
husband died prematurely and she decided to take up the reins of the deal. She became famous as
Veuve (widow in French) Clicquot. Her strength of character and business sense transformed her family-
in-law's trade into a great Champagne House.

While her representatives travelled throughout Europe and her champagne was shipped across the seas
the world over, Madame Clicquot personally took charge of the cellars, choosing her motto as only one
quality, the finest. She invented the riddling table in order to obtain champagne wines that were as clear,
distinct and limpid as possible. She gradually acquired land in vineyards with the best curs, which are
now part of Veuve Clicquot's exceptional wine heritage.

Her contemporaries already considered her as a great lady and she became known as the Grande Dame
de la Champagne. Her product is easily recognized by its distinctive bright yellow labels. She died in 1866
in her château, surrounded by those she had loved with generosity and tenderness. Today she holds
sway over every bottle of champagne sold by Veuve Clicquot, reigning over an empire of bubbles
appreciated by all connoisseurs of excellent champagne.

Do you think champagne is the best beverage?

BEFORE: I – Stu Ungar (1953 – 1998)