Veuve Clicquot is an absolute staple in the world of Champagne. The house recently celebrated its 205th anniversary, having been founded in 1772.
The winery is located in the Montagne de Reims, a region in Champagne known for producing some of the finest Chardonnay in the world.
The house blend for their flagship bottle has changed in recent years. This has made the product no less exceptional.
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Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne Review
I could devote an entire article to this house, the woman behind their claims to fame, and their history. In fact, entire books have been written!
Between inventing the riddling rack, being the first matriarch of a Champagne house, and creating sparkling rosé, we owe a lot to Madame Veuve Clicquot.
The most notable contribution to the world of wine may be that this house produced the world’s first single-vintage Champagne back in 1810.
As is the case with most French sparkling wines, the flagship label for Veuve Clicquot is non-vintage. For several years, wine is blended to ensure consistency and complexity in the finished product.
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne
- Brand: Veuve Clicquot
- Country: France
- Region: Champagne (Reims)
- Wine Type: Sparkling Wine
- Varietals: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
- ABV: 12%
Appearance
This is a classic Champagne in the glass. Bright, crystal clear, incredibly fine bubbles. While I like to have my Champagne in a traditional wine glass, using Champagne flutes for this bottle really highlights its appearance.
Smell
Freshly baked croissants, green apple, lemon meringue, and pear fill the nose. The aroma has a certain zesty freshness to it. Hints of clove, mint and vanilla trail closely along and really uplift the fruity aromas that come out of the door initially.
Taste
The flavor profile is as complex as the aromatics. Yeasty toast, bright lemon zest, and fresh apples show throughout.
The wine dances across the palate with a fantastic structure. It is bone dry and leaves you wanting more with each and every sip. There is a lovely acidity to this wine which keeps your mouth watering in the best way possible.
What Does Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne Pair With?
The first and most definitive answer I can come up with here is brie! Brie in any form will work. That said, a personal favorite of mine is brie on toast with a lingonberry spread.
The Acidity of the Champagne cuts through the rich, fatty cheeseé, and the fruitiness of the lingonberry spread really pops after using the Champagne as a palate cleanser in between bites.
What Are Wines That Are Similar to Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne?
While Veuve Clicquot is a staple, plenty of other Champagnes give it a run for its money these days. Some of my personal favorites include Mailly, which is Grand Cru juice, Taittinger, and Billecart-salmon.
Your other option, especially with the price of Champagne showing no signs of dropping in the near future, is to look for other regions for fantastic bubbles.
I would recommend crémant, as it is made in the same way as Champagne, but from elsewhere in France.
Alternatively, I have found that sparkling wine from Tasmania, such as Jansz, really hits the spot when I do not want to pay for the Champagne price tag.
Final Thoughts
This is a fantastic bottle that has stood the test of time. However, a few quick notes. It is not the best value in the world of bubbles.
Period. Also, Veuve benefits from what is also their greatest drawback, and that is consistency.
The house blend they have created is a big-time winner. But it also means that you should never expect a bottle of Veuve to have a particularly exceptional.
All in all, I think that this is a must-try for huge Champagne buffs and casual drinkers alike.