La Grande Dame Veuve Clicquot Brut Rose Champagne 2006

Veuve Clicquot is a French Champagne House based in Reims, founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot. In 1805, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin took over the family business after being widowed at the young age of 27. She is credited with transforming Veuve Clicquot into one of the greatest Champagne Houses in the world, thereby becoming one of the first modern-day business women. Veuve Clicquot stays true to its heritage through Madame Clicquots motto: One quality, the finest. Madame Clicquot was widely recognized by her peers for her formidable contributions and ultimately became known as La Grande Dame de la Champagne. Over her lifetime, she invented three of the most important innovations in champagne that are still practiced today. In 1810, she created the first vintage champagne by blending grapes from just one years harvest. In 1816, in order to find a way to clarify champagne, she invented the riddling table, today recognized as fundamental to the traditional champagne production method. Finally in 1818, she created the first ros champagne made through assemblage by blending her red wine with champagne.Veuve Clicquot possesses one of the finest champagne vineyards, both in terms of size and quality. The majority of the Veuve Clicquot vines are classified as Grands Crus or Premiers Crus the two highest classifications of Champagne vineyards. Veuve Clicquot distinguishes itself by impeccable winemaking credentials through the dominance of Pinot Noir in its blend, giving strength, complexity, and elegance to the champagne.