Our history

Discover our history

1772

Foundation of the Clicquot House

1772

Foundation of the Clicquot House

Philippe Clicquot, from a family of bankers and textile merchants, already owns vinyards and decides to establish a wine business. From the very beginning, the House states its ambition of "crossing borders".

At this time

1776, July 4th : Adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

{{ Madame Clicquot takes over the business}}

1805

Madame Clicquot takes over the business

1805

Madame Clicquot takes over the business

When François Clicquot, the founder's son, dies, his widow is 27. It takes her only a few weeks to come to a decision. She thus becomes one of the first businesswomen of modern times.

At this time

1800: The White House becomes official residence of the President of the United States.

{{ Creation of the first vintage champagne}}

1810

Creation of the first vintage champagne

1810

Creation of the first vintage champagne

Madame Clicquot proves her innovative prowess by creating the first recorded vintage champagne in the region.

At this time

1810: Ludwig van Beethoven composes "Bagatelle n°4 in A minor für Elise". Walter Scott publishes "The Lady of the Lake".

1811

Comet Vintage

1811

Comet Vintage

This year brought an exceptional harvest, whose quality was attributed to a comet that flew over the area, and enabled the production of a remarkable wine: the Comet Vintage.

At this time

1812: The United States declared war on Great Britain.

{{ Shipping of 10,550 bottles to Russia}}

1814

Shipping of 10,550 bottles to Russia

1814

Shipping of 10,550 bottles to Russia

As she gained in boldness and daring, Madame Clicquot overcame the continental embargo that raged in Europe and managed to ship her wine to Saint-Petersburg. Her champagne received a triumphant welcome in Russia, and was praised by Pushkin, Chekhov and Gogol.

At this time

1814: The first steam-powered printing presses are used to print the London Times.

1816

Invention of the riddling table

1816

Invention of the riddling table

Madame Clicquot invents the first riddling table, which guarantees a crystal-clear wine. This process continues to be used today. Madame Clicquot becomes known to her peers as “La Grande Dame” of Champagne.

At this time

1816-1826: Nièpce invents photography.

{{ Creation of the first "Rosé d'assemblage"}}

1818

Creation of the first "Rosé d'assemblage"

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.

At this time

1818-1830: The triumph of Romantic painting (Turner, Constable, Delacroix, Géricault)

{{ Registration of the first Yellow Label Trademark}}

1877

Registration of the first Yellow Label Trademark

1877

Registration of the first Yellow Label Trademark

The house continues to innovate by dressing its bottles in a yellow label, an unusual colour for the time. The ‘V.Clicquot P. Werlé’ Yellow label trademark is registered on 12 February 1877. Customers demand this distinctive, original label, which was to become one of the main distinguishing features of bottles produced by the House.

At this time

1865: The 13th Amendment of the American Constitution abolished slavery.

1909

Acquisition of the crayères

1909

Acquisition of the crayères

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin implements new techniques and improves its wines yet again with the important oenological discoveries of the times. It extends its industrial heritage, setting up home on the outskirts of Reims in 482 crayères (chalk cellars), former quarries, where the visitors’ centre and production site are now located.

At this time

1883: Construction of the first skyscraper in Chicago.

{{ Creation of La Grande Dame and Business Woman Award}}

1972

Creation of La Grande Dame and Business Woman Award

1972

Creation of La Grande Dame and Business Woman Award

To mark its 200th anniversary, the House launches its prestigious vintage cuvee La Grande Dame and creates the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award, a tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit of Madame Clicquot.

At this time

1969: Neil Armstrong is the first man to walk on the Moon.

{{ Louis Vuitton acquires Veuve Clicquot}}

1986

Louis Vuitton acquires Veuve Clicquot

1986

Louis Vuitton acquires Veuve Clicquot

LVMH (Moët-Hennessy - Louis Vuitton) is founded the following year.

At this time

1977: George Lucas releases the first film of the "Star Wars" serie.

2004

Launch of the Veuve Clicquot Rosé

2004

Launch of the Veuve Clicquot Rosé

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 cuvee.

At this time

2004: Launch of Facebook social media.

2010

A miraculous Baltic Sea discovery

2010

A miraculous Baltic Sea discovery

In July 2010, some truly unique bottles of champagne, comprising 47 of Veuve Clicquot, were discovered in a shipwreck off Finland’ Aland Islands, at the mouth of the Baltic. Despite having spent almost two centuries at the bottom of the sea, their contents are extremely well preserved.

At this time

2010 : Inauguration of the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai establishing a new world record with its height.

2015

The Crayères are listed a UNESCO's World Heritage

On 5 July 2015, the World Heritage Committee announced its decision to list the Vineyards, Houses and Cellars of the Champagne region as UNESCO World Heritage sites.