Bubbles of happiness

Nicole Ponsardin comes from a well-to-do family of factory workers in Remes. As a child, she has been interested in working in the vineyards and wine cellars in the Champagne region, which her wealthy family owns. Thanks to his stubborn and unbridled nature, he can assert his wishes – especially his love marriage to François Clicquot, whose family has also been involved in winemaking for generations.

The young couple boldly venture into wine production and set up their own company, in which Nicole participates as much as her husband, which is very unusual for women of that time. With the support of her husband, Nicole is gradually making her way into the still male-dominated world of winemaking.

But the happy years don't last long. The Napoleonic wars came and it suddenly became dangerous, and in time impossible, to export French goods abroad. It is financially ruining a company dependent on Russian sales. And the situation continues to worsen… A barren year… The unexpected death of a beloved man, which brings with it not only pain, but also a socially dangerous question – did typhus kill him, or was it suicide? Constant pressure from her neighbour, bitter suitor and current competitor, Jean-Rémy Moët, who wants to buy her winery at any price…

The devastated young widow considers selling the company, moves to Paris for a while and longs to forget, but in the end she cannot give up her husband's legacy and, with the help of her friends, bravely and determinedly continues the work she has begun.

The now world-famous Veuve Clicquot brand of champagne was created in her vineyards and Nicole worked hard and patiently to improve it during her lifetime. She is also famous for inventing a fast and efficient method of decanting champagne and for being the first to produce sparkling, crystal clear sparkling wine.

Nicole Clicquot is still rightly considered one of the most important personalities in the world of champagne and has earned the nickname La Grande Dame de Champagne.

Published in translation by Drahomíra Michnová.