1772

FOUNDATION OF THE “CLICQUOT” HOUSE

Phillipe Clicquot, son to a family of bankers and textile merchants and owner of a number of vineyards, decides to establish a wine business under the family name, pledging to have his wares "cross all borders". The business's very first shipment leaves for Venice. His son François joins the business in 1798.

1805

DEATH OF FRANÇOIS CLICQUOT

His widow, Barbe Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, decides to take on the family business at the age of 27, and thus becomes one of the first modern business women. That year, 110 thousand bottles are shipped, 25 thousand of which are intended for Russia.

1811

THE GREAT COMET – THE COMET VINTAGE

Exceptional harvests (attributed to a comet that cut through the Champagne sky) lead to an outstanding vintage: the Comet Cuvée.

1816

INVENTION OF THE RIDDLING TABLE

Madame Clicquot invents the first Riddling Table, which makes it possible to ensure crystal-clear wine. This process continues to be used today. From then on, the House goes from strength to strength. Madame Clicquot becomes known to her peers as "La Grande Dame" of Champagne.

1818

CREATION OF THE FIRST "ROSÉ D'ASSEMBLAGE"

Breaking away from the tradition of adding an elderberry-based preparation to create rosé champagne. Madame Clicquot creates the first "rosé d'assemblage" by blending some of her Bouzy red wines with her champagne.

1877

REGISTRATION OF THE YELLOW LABEL TRADEMARK

The House continues to show its innovative spirit by providing its bottles with a yellow label, an unusual color for the time. The "V. Clicquot P. Werlé" yellow label trademark is registered on 12 February 1877. Customers demand this distinctive, original label, which is to become one of the main marks of recognition for bottles produced by the House.

1909

PURCHASE OF THE CRAYÈRES CHALK TUNNELS

On the impetus of Bertrand de Mun, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin introduces new techniques and continues to improve the quality of its wines using the latest discoveries in wine-making. The House extends its industrial facilities and sets up on the borders of Reims in 482 chalk tunnels, where the visitor center and production facilities are located to this day.

1972

CREATION OF LA GRANDE DAME
AND THE CREATION OF BWA

In its bicentennial year, as the House is launching its prestigious Cuvée La Grande Dame, it also creates the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year Award, a tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit of Madame Clicquot. This award champions the success of women who have made their mark on the business world.

2004

LAUNCH OF THE VEUVE CLICQUOT
CUVEE ROSÉ IN JAPAN

Launched in Japan during the cherry blossom season, Veuve Clicquot Rosé, the House's non-vintage Rosé, is so successful that the rest of the world has to wait until 2006 before the House can supply the remainder of the cuvée.

2010

A MIRACULOUS BALTIC SEA DISCOVERY

In July 2010, some truly unique bottles of champagne were discovered in a shipwreck off Finland's Åland Islands, at the mouth of the Baltic. Despite having spent two centuries at the bottom of the sea, their contents are extremely well preserved. A salvage operation brought 145 bottles, including 47 Veuve Clicquot champagne bottles, to the surface. One of those champagnes, amongst the oldest champagne in the world, was sold. This wonderful discovery for the Veuve Clicquot House is testament to the impeccable quality of our wines dating back to the very origins of the House.

2011

REOPENING OF THE HOTEL DU MARC

In 2011, after several years of renovations, the hotel turns a new page in its history, and reveals all its poetry and romantic beauty with a resolutely modern attitude. The Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin House entrusted Bruno Moinard with the restoration of the building, as he is known for this very personal approach to rewriting the history of a place, with infinite care and attention.