"Madame Clicquot" (champagne): history, views, photos

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Madame Clicquot is champagne and a woman. This is perhaps the best combination of sparkling and sophistication, invented in the history of mankind. "Madame Clicquot" (champagne) has already become a household name. It was received by an exquisite drink, distinguished by a light heady aroma and made from the best grape varieties harvested in the Champagne region. The best compliment you can give a girl or woman is to offer her a glass of Madame Clicquot.

Champagne: history

The creation of this drink is closely intertwined with the history of the Veuve Clicquot wine house, and its taste and properties are often reflected in the famous works of Claude Monet, Agatha Christie, Jules Verne, etc. And this is not at all surprising, because the classics of the world literature can be equated with the classics of wine culture.

It all started in those days whenthe great-grandmothers of today's business women danced at balls and gracefully fainted. At the beginning of the 19th century, Nicole Ponsardin, at the age of 27, took over the development of the family business and became the first business woman in the world who was able to succeed on her own. And the reason why Madame Clicquot decided to take such a step is very sad - in 1805 her husband, who was the son of the owner of the Clicquot distillery, died. Thus, Nicole became the widow Clicquot.

Improving winemaking skills

First of all, the young hostess decided to improve the quality of the sparkling drink. At that time, Madame Clicquot champagne was cloudy due to the fact that it contained yeast. This woman had a brilliant mindset. It was probably for this reason that she came up with a wonderful idea. What if the bottle is kept upside down? Then the yeast sediment will accumulate at the cork, and after cooling, it will fly out along with the cork. In this case, the wine will remain absolutely transparent.

This technology is called remuage, and it was invented exclusively by Madame Clicquot, whose champagne is known all over the world today, and the methods that she used in preparing the drink have become classics of the wine industry.

How did Clicquot pick grapes?

Remuage technology is not all that the legendary woman was capable of. She understood that raw materials played an important role, so she began to expand her plantations and cultivate the best varieties of grapes. To dateVeuve Clicquot plantations are classified as "Grand Cru" and "Premier Cru", which indicates the excellent quality of the grapes. To create a drink, a third of the grape raw material was used, which was collected on the territory of Champagne. Everything else was supplied from neighboring regions. The wine house of Madame Clicquot has traditionally used grape varieties such as Pinot noir and Chardonnay to prepare a sparkling drink. In some cases, Pinot meunier may be added.

Technology for making champagne at Madame Clicquot distillery

Grapes began to be harvested only when the optimal ratio of acid and sweetness in the berry was reached. The blending of autumn harvest wines usually took place in December or January. The whole process itself takes place under the strict guidance and control of the masters of professional distilleries, taking into account the classic recipe of the House of Clicquot.

Then comes the process of aging and the already known riddling. And only after that, at the last stage, the champagne is dosed. At this point there is no sugar in sparkling wine. According to the recipe, dosing liquor is added to it, depending on the amount of which the further type of drink is determined. This is where the poetic part of the production ends - the process of disgorging, corking bottles, installing wire bridles follows. After all, the bottles are sent to the cellars for a few more months.

Madame Clicquot - champagne in Russia

Citizens of Russia were able to appreciate the tasteproperties of the legendary sparkling wine. In 1805, almost a quarter of the 10 thousand bottles went to Russia. A few years later, the whole world was able to appreciate the unsurpassed quality and sophistication of the new Veuve Clicquot VINTAGE champagne, a sparkling wine with a tart taste, which is due to the high content of Pinot noir.

It was from this time that the personal representative of the House of Clicquot had a special position in St. Petersburg, and sparkling wine was constantly on the tables of Russian rulers. The princes did not want to know any other drink - only Klikovskoe demanded.

Deserved popularity

Champagne Clicquot quickly conquered all of Europe. Even Philippe Clicquot in 1790 sent the first batch to Russia, and subsequently Madame herself worked closely with this and many other states. So, for example, in 1825 alone, 252,452 bottles of sparkling drink were brought to Russia. In the meantime, all of Europe was engulfed in the fire of war, Madame Clicquot set up supplies to other countries where this drink was more appropriate. The end of hostilities was another triumph for the legendary champagne. The royal and imperial courts were literally subdued by the creation of French distilleries.

Madame Clicquot lived to be 80 years old. She left her descendants the greatest legacy - not only the distillery itself, but also the oldest traditions and classic recipes, thanks to which the world knows what the legendary Madame Clicquot champagne is.

Features of sparkling drink

Madame Clicquot, a classic yellow label champagne, is the most famous type of sparkling drink from the legendary House of Clicquot. Thanks to the harmonious combination of such grape varieties as Pinot noir (65%) and Chardonnay (about 35%), this exquisite and noble taste is obtained, which is famous for all of France. Sparkling wine Veuve Clicquot Brut has a characteristic golden color, which gives a special flavor to the smallest bubbles. The taste of this exquisite drink is a unique combination of bright fruit aromas and spicy grape notes.

In order for Madame Clicquot champagne, whose photo allows the reader to identify the manufacturer's characteristic features, to acquire that very refined taste, it is aged in cellars for about five years.

The oldest sparkling wine

A bottle of Veuve Cliquot sparkling wine was found in an old canteen in Thorosey Castle (Scotland), which was corked back in 1893. Today it is the oldest instance of French sparkling wine.

The rarity was found by the current owner of the Scottish castle. He did not manage to open the buffet on his own - only with the help of a locksmith was the old wine cellar of the former owner, the banker Arbuthnot Gethry, discovered. In addition to the characteristic bottle with a yellow label, several more exclusive drinks were found in the buffet. So, there was also found a special decanter for port wine, a bottle of whiskey and claret, and in the very corner - sparkling Frenchwine, the age of which has already exceeded 100 years. It is now kept at the Veuve Cliquot headquarters in Reims, France.

Life in pink

Pink collection "Madame Clicquot" - a champagne that deserves special attention. The unsurpassed taste of "Widow Clicquot La Grande Dame Brut Rose" is the result of centuries of work by the masters of the French distillery. Bright sparkling wine with a rich fruity taste and unsurpassed aroma will be a real decoration of the festive table. Champagne has a pronounced taste of raspberries, red currants and strawberries, which smoothly flows into the characteristic notes of figs, almonds and bergamot. To create this type of sparkling wine, the highest grade grapes are used - as a rule, these are Pinot noir and Chardonnay. The characteristic pink color is achieved by slowly pressing the juice from the grapes.

"Widow Clicquot La Grande Dame Brut Rose" will impress any connoisseur of fine drinks. Its characteristic pink color and a great combination of fruity shades will allow you to plunge into the atmosphere of sunny France and its endless vineyards.

Karim Rashid specially created an original coaster for this champagne, which highlights the bottle itself with a delicate pink tint, which makes it even more romantic and sensual.

Types and types of champagne

"Madame Clicquot" - collectible champagne. There are several of its types or types, as it is more convenient for someone. Classificationsparkling wine depends on the grape variety and aging. However, the following "Madame Clicquot" (champagne) types are distinguished:

• "Not vintage." It is a sparkling wine of one year aging, which is improved by the addition of wine of a better quality. This champagne is aged for three years.
• "Vintage". It is a more improved sparkling wine, which is created through a unique blending of the best varieties of French wines. Such a drink is aged in cellars for at least six years.
• Rose is an exquisite combination of red and white wines. Differs in refined taste and characteristic color.

Champagne "Madame Clicquot" is not a cheap pleasure. This is due to several reasons. Firstly, to create an exclusive drink, it is necessary to collect truly high-quality raw materials, and the necessary grapes grow in a limited area. Secondly, regular testing of products leads to significant losses. And thirdly, storing sparkling wines and paying tasters who select truly high-quality wine is expensive.

But the result is vintage "Madame Clicquot" - champagne, the taste properties of which easily justify its cost. A bottle of exquisite champagne is an excellent gift that is fully capable of expressing the most tender and wonderful feelings. A glass of this drink is a unique opportunity to plunge into the very atmosphere of France and feel like an aristocrat who has access to the best wines andthe best time on Earth.