La Grande Dame 1993

The exceptional aromatic character of a fine champagne

The producer

Today, Veuve Clicquot has become a brand with a worldwide success. The Veuve Clicquot myth was created thanks to a woman: Madame Clicquot. It was in 1798 that François Clicquot married the daughter of Baron Nicolas Ponsardin. Son of the founder of the Clicquot Champagne House, he passed on all of his passion to his wife, initiating her into the secrets of champagne-making. When her husband passed away prematurely, at the age of 27, she took over the running of the Veuve Clicquot Champagne House with determination. Guided by an innate sense of innovation and a perpetual quest for perfection, she invented the riddling table and marketed the first blended rosé champagne. Veuve Clicquot has turned this uncompromising requirement into her motto: "Only one quality, the finest".

The vineyard

La Grande Dame 1993 comprises eight of the most prestigious Grands Crus in the Champagne region. Veuve Clicquot's vineyards in Avize, Oger and Mesnil-sur-Oger in the Côte des Blancs provide the 34% of Chardonnay in the blend. The 66% Pinot Noir stem from the Grands Crus of the Montagne de Reims and the Grande Vallée de la Marne, in the villages of Verzenay, Verzy, Ambonnay, Bouzy and Ay.

The wine

Marking the bicentenary of the Veuve Clicquot Champagne house, this La Grande Dame champagne was first released in 1972 as a tribute to Madame Clicquot, nicknamed "La Grande Dame de la Champagne". It perfectly showcases the expression of the Pinot Noir varietal and the Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin style.

The vintage

Following a mild winter with no frosts, budburst occurred at the end of April. This phase is followed by vigorous growth and vegetative development. Flowering started early, at the beginning of June. The summer period then sets in with hot and dry conditions. The grape harvest approached, bringing a sense of serenity and the promise of a fine year. Then the rainy weather conditions arrived. The vines, tested by long weeks of drought, absorbed a large quantity of water through their roots. The ripening of the grapes was slowed down slightly and yields increased significantly. The first secateurs were used during the second week of September for the Chardonnay grapes. The Pinot Noir harvest began a week later. In addition to its astonishing generosity, this harvest boasted a very high quality, especially the Pinot Noir grapes.

The blend

La Grande Dame 1993 comprises a blend of Pinot Noir (66%) and Chardonnay (34%).

La Grande Dame 1993 by Veuve Clicquot: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

La Grande Dame 1993 showcases a warm, deep golden colour.

Nose

This wine has a fine, noble bouquet. The aromas are warm and deliciously spicy: brioche, praline, sweet spices and fruit jelly blend together and offer a perfect balance.

Palate

La Grande Dame 1993 exudes mellow aromas and a very pleasant roundness. The balance is rich, with aromas of honey, custard and sweet spices that perfectly coat the structure. The finish is long and velvety. With age, this wine has developed deep aromas that better express its rich and fine aromatic character.

Food and wine pairing

La Grande Dame 1993 is an exceptional champagne that will complement mature, hard cheeses such as Comté.