In Champagne in France, the style of a House is always more significant than the style of a single year, so the re-known of Veuve Clicquot is gauged by the ongoing performance of Yellow Label.

Veuve Clicquot has every reason for confidence of unvarying quality, always fully mature, always perfectly balanced. Respected across the world, it owes its excellence to a superb holding of vineyards founded by Madame Clicquot and added to over two centuries. These produce the great crus of reserve wines which that oenological genius, Jacques Peters, can call on when he finalises the blend.

In Britain, Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label has become famous as The Champagne of The Season, an essential part of the British summer. What better symbol could there be of celebration, sunshine and sporting success? The Blend: It is the sturdiness of Pinot Noir, which gives the Yellow Label its classical structure, with a touch of Pinot Meunier to add roundness. Chardonnay brings a certain elegance and finesse, essential for the harmony and balance of the wine.

Grapes:   55% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Meunier and 30% Chardonnay.

Reserve: From 25% to 35%, sometimes 40%. Each of these older wines, perhaps 8 years old, is kept separately to preserve the unique qualities of the vineyard and the vintage.

Look:       First, Yellow Label looks beautiful: golden yellow, with a foaming necklace of tiny bubbles. Next, it is so pleasing to the nose; initially reminiscent of white fruits and raisins, then of vanilla, and later of biscuits. Note the fine balance between the younger, ‘fruity’ wines and the older toasty wines, which made up the final assembly.

Taste:     The first sip delivers all the freshness and forcefulness so typical of Yellow Label, with a symphony of fruit taste following on. Here is a true member of the Brut family: powerful, well refined, admirably vinous. The lingering aromas echo and re-echo, with each fruit or spice note distinct.

ABV:       12%