With over 350 acres producing nearly 2 million cases of wine annually, Veuve Clicquot, now a part of France’s famous luxury LVMH Group, is a clear case of the power of a woman’s touch. Founded in 1772 by wealthy textile businessman Phillippe Clicquot to justify owning vineyards in Bouzy, it was less than thirty years before the Champagne House was taken over by Phillippe’s widowed daughter-in-law, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, the daughter of his equally wealthy rival, Baron Nicholas Ponsardin. Phillipe and Nicholas arranged the marriage between their children to consolidate their assets, with Phillipe’s son François taking over the wine business. François’ tenure was impactful but brief; he died only six years later. But Veuve Clicquot, or “Widow Clicquot,” as Barbe-Nicole became known, took a cue from her father and convinced Nicholas to let her run the business. She quickly learned the intricacies of winemaking, and is credited with both creating the region’s first recorded vintage Champagne and introducing red wine into the process to produce unique rosés. MadameClicquotproved her business mettle. By 1821, the House was selling over 280,000 bottles per year, with Imperial Russia’s aristocracy her main client base. It was this connection that brought about Veuve Clicquot’s swift, early success, and advanced Madame Clicquot’s determination to elevate Champagne to the first choice of Europe’s elite. Today, Veuve Clicquot is run by Dominique Demarville, who continues to retain a delicate balance of tradition and innovation. Its main export is its iconic Yellow Label, followed by La Grand Dame (launched in 1972 in honor of Madame Clicquot), and Extra Brut Extra Old.