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

Madame Clicquot is champagne and a woman. This, perhaps, is the best combination of sparkling and refinement, invented in the history of mankind. "Madame Clicquot" (champagne) has already become a household name. He received a refined drink, characterized by a light intoxicating aroma and made from the best varieties of grapes collected in the province of Champagne. The best compliment that can be made to 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 wine house Veuve Clicquot, and its taste and properties are often reflected in the famous works of Claude Monet, Agatha Christie, Jules Verne, etc. And this is not surprising, because the classics of world literature can be aligned with the classics Wine culture.

It all began in those days when the great-grandmothers of the current business ladies danced at balls and gracefully fell into fainting fits. At the beginning of the 19th century, Nicole Ponsardin, at the age of 27, took up the development of the family business and became the world's first business woman to succeed herself. And the reason why Madame Clicquot decided to take such a step is very sad - in 1805 her husband died, who was the son of the owner of the distillery Clicquot. Thus, Nicole became the widow of Clicquot.

Perfection of winemaking skill

The first thing the young lady decided to improve the quality of a sparkling drink. At that time, the champagne of Madame Clicquot was cloudy because of its yeast composition. This woman was distinguished by a brilliant mentality. Probably, it was for this reason that a great idea occurred to her. And what if the bottle is kept tipped down? Then the yeast precipitate will accumulate at the plug, and after cooling it will fly out together with the stopper. In this case, the wine will remain absolutely transparent.

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

How did Clicquot collect the grapes?

Technology remuage - this 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 date, the Veuve Clicquot plantations are classified as "Grand Cru" and "Premier Cru", which indicates the excellent quality of grapes. To create the drink, a third of the grape raw material was used, which was collected in the territory of Champagne. All the rest was supplied from neighboring regions. The wine house of Madame Clicquot traditionally used grape varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for making a sparkling drink. In some cases, the addition of Pinot is less possible.

The technology of making champagne in the distillery of Madame Clicquot

Grapes started to be collected only when the optimum ratio of acid and sweetness in berries was achieved. Blending of autumn harvest wines usually took place in December or January. Directly the whole process takes place under the strict guidance and supervision of the masters of professional distilleries, taking into account the classical recipe of the House of Clicquot.

Then comes the process of aging and already known remuage. And only after this, at the last stage, the champagne dosage is produced. At this point in sparkling wine there is no sugar. According to the recipe, a dosing liquor is added to it, depending on the amount of which the further type of beverage is determined. At this point, the poetic part of the production ends - the process of disgorging, bottling of bottles, installation of wire bridles follows. After all the bottles are sent to the cellar for a few more months.

"Madame Clicquot" - champagne in Russia

Citizens of Russia were able to appreciate the taste of the legendary sparkling wine. In 1805, almost a quarter of the 10,000 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 that is caused by a high content of Pinot noir.

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

Deserved popularity

Clicquot wines quickly conquered all of Europe. In 1790 Philip Clicquot sent the first party to Russia, and later Madame herself closely cooperated with this and many other states. For example, only in 1825 252,452 bottles of sparkling beverage were brought to Russia. And while the whole of Europe was enveloped in the fire of war, Madame Clicquot arranged 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 Clicqui lived to 80 years. To its descendants it left the greatest legacy - not only directly to the distillery itself, but also the oldest traditions and classic recipes, thanks to which the world knows what the legendary champagne "Madame Clicquot" is.

Features of a sparkling drink

"Madame Clicquot" - champagne with a classic yellow label is the most famous type of sparkling drink from the legendary House of Clicquot. Thanks to a harmonious combination of such grapes as Pinot Noir (65%) and Chardonnay (about 35%), and it turns out such a refined and noble taste, which is famous all over France. Sparkling wine Veuve Clicquot Brut is characterized by a characteristic golden color, a special color that gives the smallest bubbles. The taste of this refined drink is a unique combination of bright fruit aromas and piquant grape notes.

In order that the champagne "Madame Clicquot", whose photo allows the reader to determine the characteristics of the manufacturer, acquired the same refined taste, it is kept in the cellars for about five years.

The oldest sparkling wine

In the ancient cupboard of the castle Torosay (Scotland), a bottle of sparkling wine Veuve Cliquot was found, which was clogged as far back as 1893. Today it is the oldest specimen of French sparkling wine.

The rarity was found by the current owner of the Scottish castle. He did not manage to open the cupboard himself - only with the help of a locksmith an old wine cellar of the former owner, banker Arbuthnot Getry, was discovered. In addition to the characteristic bottle with a yellow label, several more exclusive drinks were found in the cupboard. So, still there was discovered a special carafe for port, a bottle of whiskey and claret, and in the corner - a sparkling French wine, whose age has already exceeded 100 years. Now it is stored in the headquarters of Veuve Cliquot in French Reims.

Life in pink

Pink collection "Madame Clicquot" - champagne, which deserves special attention. Unsurpassed taste "Widow Clicquot La Grande Dam Brut Rose" is the result of centuries of work by masters of the French distillery. Bright sparkling wine with rich fruit taste and unsurpassed aroma will become 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 - usually Pinot noir and Chardonnay. A characteristic pink color is achieved due to the slow spinning of the juice from the grapes.

"Widow Clicquot La Grande Dam Brut Rose" will not leave indifferent any connoisseur of delicious drinks. Its characteristic pink color and magnificent combination of fruit shades will allow you to plunge into the atmosphere of sunny France and its endless grape plantations.

Karim Rashid specially created an original stand for this champagne, which highlights the bottle itself with a gentle pink tint, which gives it even more romanticism and sensuality.

Types and types of champagne

"Madame Clicquot" - collection champagne. There are several of its types or types, as to whom it is more convenient. Classification of sparkling wine depends on the type of grapes and aging. Nevertheless, the following "Madame Clicquot" (champagne) types are distinguished:

• "Not vintage." It is a sparkling wine of annual exposure, which is improved by the addition of wine of better quality. Such champagne can withstand three years.
• "Vintage". It is more improved sparkling wine, which is created due to the unique blending of the best varieties of French wines. This drink is aged in the cellars for at least six years.
• "Rose" is an exquisite combination of red and white wines. It has an exquisite taste and a distinctive color.

Champagne "Madame Clicquot" - pleasure is not cheap. This is due to several reasons. First, to create an exclusive beverage you need to collect really high quality raw materials, and the necessary grapes grow in a limited area. Secondly, regular testing of products leads to significant losses. And thirdly, the storage of sparkling wines and the payment of tasters, which select truly high-quality wine, are expensive.

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