TASTE:
Rich, round fruit fills the mouth, and there is a lightly bitter, yeasty finish of citrus rind. These are the attributes of a quality wine vinified in the traditional method. Vueve Clicquot is the supreme example of Champagne. For me, it is the measuring stick. Though I’ve not had the opportunity to taste the elite brand, Krug; I have sampled many other premium brands: Dom Perignon, Moet, Cristal, Deutz, and the hip-hop driven Ace of Spades. They were found wanting in the face of this brand, and they pale in historical significance within the shadow of Clicquot.
HISTORY:
Vueve is the French term for widow, and Clicquot is the namesake. Madame Clicquot Posardin took over her husband’s small Champagne business when he died, making her a widow at the age of 27. At the time most Champagnes were cloudy and required decanting before serving. Madame Clicquot invented a process called remuage which left the product crystal clear. Also known as riddling, this procedure gradually turns and shakes the bottle so that the sediment of dead yeast cells moves to the neck for subsequent removal by disgorgement. The process remains integral to the regulations of traditional Champagne production.
The label of Vueve Clicquot reflects significant events in the wine’s history. The star on each label is representative of the 1911 vintage. During the harvest of this year, a brilliant comet was visible in the night sky. Considered by many to be the pinnacle of the brand’s production, the vintage continues in the wine’s mythology through its representation of a star, everpresent on Clicquot’s label.
An anchor lies within the star. In 1920, Britain and France ceased all trade with Russia. Unfortunately, for the widow Clicquot, the Russian Czar was quite the enthusiast of this unique bubbly. To avoid economic collapse, Madame Clicquot enlisted blockade runners to ship her product to awaiting consumers in the embattled nation. As a result, the winery survived the following years. They remain producers today due largely to this bold move, and choose to represent the event by placing an anchor on the label.
I hope you have found this interesting and informative. I suggest picking up a bottle during your next wine purchase. Whole Foods, Costco, and other retail establishments will generally price it at between $40-$50 a bottle. It truly is a unique experience at a reasonable price. Please comment to let me know what you think of Vueve Clicquot after you have tried it. Thanks.
