Founded in 1772, Veuve Clicquot is a House steeped in rich history that owes its success largely to one woman, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot-Ponsardin. Madame Clicquot also invented the riddling rack on her kitchen table, an apparatus that removes the sediment from the bottle after second fermentation still used in the region today. Veuve Clicquot own a respectable 382 hectares of vineyards with an emphasis on Pinot Noir. The House maintains the largest collection of old reserve wines in Champagne, these help give Yellow Label its complexity while ensuring the high quality is maintained in the world’s second bestselling Champagne brand. In 2008 Dominique Demarville joined as Cellar Master, he “refreshed the brand” including increasing the proportion of Pinot Noir in La Grande Dame to 90%+ and with blending shifts he brought a new freshness in Yellow Label. In 2019 Didier Mariotti took over as Cellar Master.

A predominance of Pinot Noir provides the structure that is so typically Clicquot, while a touch of Meunier rounds out the blend and Chardonnay adds the elegance and finesse essential in a perfectly balanced wine. Grapes from as many as 50 to 60 different Crus go into the blending of Yellow Label. Traditionally, the proportion of each grape variety used is 50 to 55% Pinot Noir, 28 to 33% Chardonnay and 15 to 20% Meunier. The reserve wine content of each new release varies depending on the quality of the latest vintage. Today they use between 25 to 40% reserve wines to ensure the continuity of the House style.

Technical Information:
Grape Varieties: 50-55% Pinot Noir, 28-33% Chardonnay, 15-20% Meunier
Reserve Wine: 25-40%
Lees Ageing: 3 years
Dosage: 10 g/l
Drink: Now for 5+ years

Tasting Note: This has a fine bead of bubbles present with a golden yellow colour. On the nose: white fruits and nicely balanced citrus notes. On the palate: the Pinot Noir dominance shines through but is balanced perfectly by the delicate Chardonnay. Ripe fruits and some hints of brioche on the finish. A great non-vintage.