Expect lemon curd, white peach, brioche, almond, honey, and chalky minerality with a fine, persistent mousse, medium-to-full body, structured acidity, and a long finish.
- Varietal
- Pinot Noir-dominant Champagne blend with Chardonnay
- Region
- France / Champagne / Reims
- Body
- Medium to Full
- Style
- dry sparkling, prestige cuvée, structured, age-worthy
The producer
Veuve Clicquot was founded in 1772 and became one of the most influential Champagne houses under the leadership of Madame Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot ("the Widow Clicquot"), who pioneered modern winemaking techniques including riddling. La Grande Dame is the house's prestige cuvée, named in her honor and produced only in declared vintages. Now part of LVMH.
What critics say
La Grande Dame consistently receives high-90s scores from major critics and is widely regarded as one of Champagne's top prestige cuvées. The 2012 vintage was excellent in Champagne.
Pairing
Lobster with butter, raw oysters, aged hard cheeses