Veuve Clicquot : La Grande Dame Rosé 2018

Tasting characteristics and advice for Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Rosé 2018

Tasting

Nose

The nose unveils a refined, complex aromatic palette. Floral notes of violet and rose intertwine with aromas of fresh red fruits such as blackcurrant, strawberry, raspberry and cherry. The ensemble is elevated by hints of sweet spices reminiscent of Sichuan pepper and licorice.

Palate

On the palate, this champagne reveals vibrant freshness with citrus aromas of mandarin, blood orange and grapefruit zest. The sweet spices carry through with notes of pepper, cinnamon and licorice, accompanied by red fruit coulis evoking cherry, strawberry and raspberry. Hints of aromatic herbs—mint and thyme—bring additional freshness to the tasting.

Food and wine pairing

La Grande Dame Rosé 2018 pairs harmoniously with fine fish such as bluefin tuna or salmon, whether raw or cooked, prepared teriyaki-style, with soy sauce or as gravlax, as well as with prawns. This champagne also pairs beautifully with delicate meats such as duck à l'orange, squab, Iberian pork pluma or seven-hour lamb, particularly when served with sweet-spice sauces. Caramelized vegetables, cumin carrots, smoked paprika butternut squash or sweet potato also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

La Grande Dame Rosé 2018 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10°C and 12°C. It is recommended to serve it in Veuve Clicquot Prestige glasses to fully appreciate its qualities. This champagne has a cellaring potential of over 15 years.

An exceptional rosé champagne from the historic terroir of Bouzy

The estate

Founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot in Reims, Veuve Clicquot Champagne experienced its decisive rise in 1805 when Barbe Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot, widowed at 27, took over the House, becoming the first woman to run a Champagne House. Under her visionary leadership, the vineyard grew from 4 to 41 hectares. Today, Thomas Mulliez presides over the House, owned by the LVMH group since 1987. The vineyard, managed under sustainable viticulture, extends notably across the historic terroirs of Verzenay, Verzy and Bouzy. Veuve Clicquot Champagne embodies more than 250 years of innovation, with its iconic cuvées La Grande Dame and Brut Carte Jaune.

The vineyard

La Grande Dame Rosé 2018 pays tribute to the historic plot “Clos Colin” located in Bouzy in Champagne, Veuve Clicquot’s oldest plot, acquired in 1741. This 1.3-hectare vineyard rests on a clay-limestone terroir with a sandy texture that provides beneficial water stress to the vines. This exceptional plot produces the Pinot Noir red wine that is blended into this rosé champagne, after a maceration of around seven days to extract color and fine tannins.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage was marked by a rainy winter, followed by a spring and summer with above-average sunshine. These climatic conditions made it possible to obtain grapes in excellent health.

Winemaking and aging

La Grande Dame Rosé 2018 includes 13% Pinot Noir red wine sourced exclusively from the historic “Clos Colin” plot in Bouzy. This cuvée pays tribute to the innovations of Madame Clicquot, who created the first vintage champagne in 1810 and the first blended rosé champagne in 1818.

Grape varieties

This champagne is made from 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay.