Champagne with a story that never gets old. Veuve Clicquot is so much more than a yellow label.

History of Veuve Clicquot

The story starts in 1772, when Philippe Clicquot founded his champagne house in Reims. But true fame came later, thanks to Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin. She married François Clicquot, who sadly passed away at a young age. At just 27 years old, she took control of the house. In an era where women rarely ran businesses, she made her mark. She became known as “La Veuve Clicquot” – the Widow Clicquot – and grew into an icon of the champagne world.

Under her leadership, the modern method of making champagne bright and sparkling was refined. She introduced the technique of remuage, where bottles are slowly turned so that the sediment collects in the neck. A simple yet brilliant idea that made champagne famous around the world.

Vineyards and location

Veuve Clicquot owns more than 390 hectares of vineyards in Champagne. That’s special, as many houses buy most of their grapes. The vineyards are spread across the best cru villages, including Bouzy, Verzenay and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier are the main grapes here. Together they shape the house style: powerful, fresh and structured.

Most of the vineyards are planted with Pinot Noir. It gives the wines their recognizable depth and character. Chardonnay adds freshness and finesse, while Meunier brings a touch of fruitiness.

Climate and terroir

Champagne sits in the north of France. Summers are cool, winters are mild, and the climate can be unpredictable. Perfect for grapes that shouldn’t get too ripe. The soil is mainly chalk and limestone, which offers great drainage and a mineral edge in the wines. Combined with the changing seasons, this results in grapes with tension and freshness – exactly what champagne needs.

Fun facts about Veuve Clicquot

• The famous “Yellow Label” was introduced in 1877 and became the instant signature of the house.
• Veuve Clicquot was the first champagne exported worldwide, from Russia to the United States.
• In 2010, 168 bottles of 19th century Veuve Clicquot were found in the Baltic Sea – still drinkable and remarkably fresh.
• The house owns one of the largest chalk cellars in Reims, endless tunnels where millions of bottles quietly age.

Order Veuve Clicquot champagne online?

At Grandcruwijnen you’ll find a wide range of Veuve Clicquot. All bottles are stored safely in our conditioned Wine Warehouse. When you order online, your champagne is shipped straight from these perfect conditions. Prefer to pick up in Dordrecht? You’ll immediately see a discount when choosing ‘Afhalen’ at checkout.