La Grande Dame

Veuve Clicquot proposes a concept of “Garden Gastronomy” with this vintage, pairing it with vegetable-forward, seasonal preparations where vegetables and fruits take center stage—meat or fish become condiments. In practice, it pairs elegantly with delicate shellfish, fine white fish, garden vegetables, light creamy preparations, and citrus-dressed seafood.

The 2015 vintage is drawn from 8 historic Grand Cru crus of Champagne (primarily from the Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs). The blend is dominated by Pinot Noir (90%) with a minority of Chardonnay (10%)—reflecting Veuve Clicquot’s modern prestige cuvée direction. 2015 was a warm, sunny vintage, producing grapes of intense aromatic concentration and good potential for structure and aging.

La Grande Dame 2015 is intended for long aging. The Maison estimates ageing potential of +15 years (i.e., into the 2030s). Some sources note the wine is aged underground in medieval chalk tunnels for a minimum of 7 years before release.

The base wines are vinified separately and assembled into the prestige cuvée. The wine is aged in the historic chalk cellars (“crayères”) underground, benefiting from stable temperature and humidity.

Veuve Clicquot now one of the largest Champagne Houses was founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot under the label Clicquot. After establishing the brand throughout Europe Russia and the United States Philippe was joined by his son François Clicquot at the head of the House in 1798. Seven years later following his untimely death François’ young widow Barbe Ponsardin took over the family business at just 27 years old. The House would subsequently be renamed in her honor: ‘Veuve Clicquot’ means ‘The Widow Clicquot.’ Over the course of her lifetime Madame Clicquot (Barbe Ponsardin) developed three of the most important innovations in Champagne that are still practiced today. First in 1810 Veuve Clicquot produced the first vintage wine in Champagne which otherwise produced non-vintage blends. Second in 1816 Madame Clicquot invented the riddling table to clarify Veuve Clicquot champagne and by doing so she improved both the quality and finesse of the wines. Riddling is now fundamental to ‘La Methode Traditionelle’ (the traditional Champagne production method) and is emulated around the world. Finally in 1818 Madame Clicquot created the first rose champagne made through ‘assemblage’ a method where white wines are blended with red wines.