Madame Clicquot’s legacy lives on.
Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Louis Grillet from the Veuve Clicquot Winemaking Team. We had the opportunity to meet over Champagne. Moreover, a hard-to-forget view of lower Manhattan from, the exclusive bar Nubeluz. We casually discussed the new release of La Grande Dame Rosé, a Pinot Noir-dominated blend from the 2015 vintage.
La Grande Dame range was introduced in 1972, according to Angela Sauvé, Director of Trade and Engagement at Moët Hennessy. It is a tribute to Madame Clicquot, the founder of the house. The white and rosé expressions of La Grande Dame are considered to be among the most prestigious offerings by Veuve Clicquot. The house has recently unveiled the tenth edition of its La Grande Dame Rosé, a blend dominated by Pinot Noir from the 2015 vintage.
Madame Clicquot revolutionized the production process of rosé Champagne. She introduced the blending of red wine into white Champagne in her 1818 rosé, which might be the first of its kind.
This blending method, known as rosé d’assemblage, has now become the dominant production process for rosé Champagne.
I have met audacious women on the Veuve Clicquot team who have inspired me to rethink Champagne, legacy, audacity, and how women have shaped Champagne and the wine and spirits world.
For instance, Louis Grillet is a shining example of a young enologist passionate about winemaking. As a member of the Veuve Clicquot Winemaking Team, he has embraced the challenges of making wine in the Champagne region. Despite his youth, Louis is determined to carry on the legacy of his predecessors and preserve Champagne’s rich history and traditions. It takes hard work, determination, and a willingness to take risks. Louis embodies these qualities and is a role model for aspiring winemakers everywhere.
In the end, young enologists like Louise Grillet will carry on Madame Clicquot Champagne’s legacy. Grillet and the Veuve Clicquot winemaking team continue to ensure that its wines remain among the best in the world. We can all learn from the example. Let’s strive to be the best in our fields, just as Veuve Clicquot has done in winemaking.
La Grande Dame Rosé 2015 pays tribute to Madame Clicquot. Firstly, it follows a distinguished tradition of vintage Champagnes. Furthermore, Madame Clicquot created the first single-harvest Champagne in 1810. The house has billed the 2015 vintage release as “optimism through color.” When I asked Louise about the vintage, she mentioned that 2015 was an exceptional year with low rainfall and plenty of sunshine.
According to The Drink Business, the Pinot Noir red wine comes from the 1.3 hectare ‘Clos Colin’ parcel in Bouzy. ‘Clos Colin’ was acquired by the house in 1741 and expanded by Madame Clicquot herself. La Grand Dame Rosé, like its white sister cuvée, La Grande Dame 2015, portrays a designed package by Italian ceramic artist Paola Paronetto.
La Grande Dame 2015 wether in the Rosé or Brut style is an elegant tribute to audacity. Consider it to celebrate the women or any special moment in your life.
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