Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin is a Négociant-Manipulant from Reims in the Montagne de Reims. The house was founded in 1772 and is one of the most famous Champagne brands worldwide. Today it is led by Jean-Marc Gallot.

History

The house was established in Reims in 1772. The real revolution came through Madame Clicquot, who created the first Rosé assemblage in the Champagne region in 1818 – a technique that continues to shape Rosé Champagne to this day. This innovation was just one of many: Madame Clicquot also developed the riddling rack and drove the house's internationalization forward.

Over 250 years later, Veuve Clicquot stands for classic, powerful Champagne with wide availability. The iconic Yellow Label can be found worldwide in supermarkets, restaurants and bars – a Champagne that serves both everyday moments and celebrations.

Vignoble & Terroir

Veuve Clicquot sources grapes from various villages throughout Champagne. Bouzy in the Montagne de Reims is a confirmed source – that's where the red wine for the Rosé assemblage comes from. The exact hectare count and complete list of vineyards are not publicly documented.

The assemblage of the Yellow Label consists of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 20% Meunier – a powerful blend that defines the house style: fruit-forward, approachable, structured.

Vinification

The winemaking is done partially in stainless steel, malolactic fermentation is not performed on all base wines – especially with the Rosé, this keeps the acidity more vibrant. The dosage typically ranges between 9 and 12 g/l, with the Rosé at about 9 g/l on the lower end.

The Vintage 2015 aged for at least 72 months on the lees before being disgorged. How long the Yellow Label remains in the cellar is not publicly known – the legal minimum aging of 15 months is certainly exceeded, but details about the reserve wine strategy remain internal.

The Cuvées in Detail

Yellow Label Brut

The house classic: 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 20% Meunier. Fruit-forward with aromas of apple, pear, peach and a hint of brioche. Powerful, approachable, easy-drinking – the Champagne that's uncorked most frequently worldwide. Perfect for spontaneous moments, but also solid enough for an aperitif with friends.

50% PN · 30% CH · 20% PM · Brut · Stainless steel

Rosé

Bright salmon-colored with 12% red wine from Bouzy blended in. The cuvée consists of 52.5% Pinot Noir, 30.5% Chardonnay and 17% Meunier, plus the still red wine. Strawberries, raspberries, sour cherries, brioche – charming, lively, fruit-forward. The dosage is 9 g/l, no malolactic fermentation on all base wines, which preserves the freshness. Madame Clicquot invented this assemblage technique in 1818 – a historic innovation that still works today.

52.5% PN · 30.5% CH · 17% PM · 12% Bouzy red wine · 9 g/l · Rosé

Vintage 2015

Veuve Clicquot's vintage Champagne: clear, structured, with the typical VC creaminess and a slightly mature, brioche-like undertone. 72 months of aging on the lees give the 2015 depth. Taut, creamy, elegant – particularly precise when paired with seafood like lobster and scallops.

Millésimé 2015 · 72 months aging · Brut

Rich

A Doux Champagne with 60 g/l dosage – quite sweet on its own, but surprisingly fresh and balanced when paired with desserts or sweet dishes. Veuve Clicquot designed Rich as a food-pairing Champagne: on ice with fruits, with chocolate or fruity desserts, the balance between sweetness and acidity unfolds.

Doux · 60 g/l dosage · Food-pairing

My Tastings

  • Yellow Label · 2026-01-20
  • Yellow Label Brut · 2025-12-18
  • Vintage 2015 (2015) · 2025-11-25
  • Yellow Label Brut · 2025-09-15
  • Rosé · 2025-04-05
  • Rich · 2025-03-10
  • Brut · 2025-03-09
  • Brut Yellow Label · 2025-03-03
  • Brut Yellow Label · 2024-12-30

Facts

Official Name Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin
Category NM (Négociant-Manipulant)
Founded 1772
Director Jean-Marc Gallot
Address 1 rue Albert Thomas, 51100 Reims
Region Montagne de Reims
Villages Bouzy (verified), others not documented
Yellow Label Assemblage 50% PN · 30% CH · 20% PM
Dosage Range 9–12 g/l (Rosé 9 g/l, Brut ~12 g/l)
Winemaking Partially stainless steel
Malolactic Partial (not on all base wines)
Website veuveclicquot.com
Instagram @veuveclicquot
Phone +33 3 26 89 53 90
Email contact@veuve-clicquot.fr

Sources for this portrait: Maison website, personal tastings, CRM data and cross-checks. Fields without sufficient verification remain open.

Questions about this article?

I don't claim to be error-free — if you notice something or have a question, write it here.

Powered by The Champagne Guy