Champagne Veuve Cliquot, Brut, NV

In 1772 this Champagne house was established by Mnsr. Philippe Cliquot and it has played an important role in the production of wine in this most famous and significant of wine regions ever since. Philippe's son married and then died, leaving the house to his widow (Veuve in French). She was the first woman ever to head a Champagne house and focussed on quality wine production; in particular she developed the technique of remuage that allowed for the controlled sparkling character to become a consistent feature in the wines. The world-wide appeal of these wines began early - during the Napoleonic wars Veuve Cliquot managed to get her Champagne to be drunk by all of the leading Royal households of Europe and even into Russia, with whom they were at war. The wines today are still brilliant and rich, full and powerful in style. To be drunk as often as possible, with feasts, celebrations and simply just for the sake it, this Champagne almost never fails to deliver class, quality and individual character.