Madame Clicquot Ponsardin

Madame Clicquot
Born
Barbe Nicole Ponsardin

(1777-12-16)16 December 1777
Reims, Champagne, Kingdom of France
Died29 July 1866(1866-07-29) (aged 88)
Boursault, Marne, Second French Empire
OccupationChampagne producer
Years active1805–1866
OrganizationVeuve Clicquot
SpouseFrançois Clicquot (married 1798)

Madame Clicquot (French: [madam kliko]), (née Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin French: [baʁb nikɔl pɔ̃saʁdɛ̃]; 16 December 1777 – 29 July 1866), also known as Barbe Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, Widow Clicquot, Veuve Clicquot, and the Grande Dame of Champagne, was a French Champagne producer. She took on her husband's wine business when widowed at 27. Under her ownership, and her skill with wine, the company developed early champagne using a novel technique. The brand and company of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin still bears her name.