Widow Cliquot champagne: an overview of taste and types + how to distinguish a fake
"Widow Clicquot" is a collectible champagne produced in Reims, France. The grapes used to make the drink are grown on a limited territory.
This is an expensive drink, but its quality is fully worth the price.
Another reason for the high cost of champagne is constant testing and, as a result, significant product losses. Storing champagne and paying for high-class tasters who are able to select really high-quality wine is not a cheap business.
Types of "Widow Clicquot"
Not vintage - sparkling wine of one year of age. Improved by adding the best quality wine to it. The drink is aged for three years.
Vintage - sparkling wine, created by a unique blending of the best varieties of French wines. Champagne is aged for at least 6 years in cellars.
Pink - a sparkling wine that combines both red and white wines.
Types of Champagne Widow Clicquot and their features
There are several types of it, which depends on the grape variety used in the production of wine and its aging.
Veuve Clicquot "La Grande Dame" 1998
Dry champagne with a crystal clear light golden color.
Its taste is soft and balanced.
The aroma is full of floral and mineral shades.
It has notes of acacia and fern, candied apricots, quince, citrus and almonds.
True connoisseurs will also be able to smell touches of tobacco and malt in the drink's aroma.
Sparkling wine is usually served with delicacies: lobster, truffles and black caviar.
Veuve Clicquot "Brut Rose"
Dry champagne, characterized by a pleasant coppery pink color.
The taste of the drink is distinctly elegant, with subtle fruity tones, followed by a long harmonious aftertaste.
Sparkling wine smells like a berry palette: raspberries, strawberries, cherries and blackberries.
Hints of dried fruit, almonds and the sweetness of brioche and biscuits gradually reveal themselves.
An excellent aperitif. Served in the company of gourmet cuisine and delicacies.
Veuve Clicquot "Rich Reserve"
Dry type champagne, which has a beautiful pale golden color with silver tints.
The taste is pleasant, velvety. The aftertaste of the drink gives incredible freshness.
The aroma is rich, with delicate tones of mint, liquorice and citrus. This is followed by fruity flavors: cherry, mirabelle plum, grapefruit, shrouded in a trail of white flowers.
The whole composition ends with notes of almonds, hazelnuts, sweets and vanilla.
The wine goes well with Asian cuisine and foie gras.
Veuve Clicquot "Demi-Sec"
The most classic champagne of this brand. It is dominated by Pinot Noir grape variety.
The color of the drink is golden, the taste is mild with a delicate acidity.
The aroma has a palette of ripe fruits, tones of candied fruit and hints of freshly baked toast and buns.
The wine goes well with fruit desserts.
Veuve Clicquot "Brut"
Dry champagne of sparkling golden color.
The taste is fresh, fruity. The aftertaste is characterized by fruity tones and spices.
The aroma combines a fruity motif, complemented by a touch of delicate vanilla and raisins. The rich bouquet ends with notes of brioche buns.
Served as an aperitif or with desserts.
How to distinguish a fake Widow Clicquot
To buy original Veuve Clicquot champagne, follow these recommendations:
Champagne "Widow Clicquot" is produced by the company of the same name, located in the city of Reims. It should be written on the product label.
Sparkling wine is bottled in exclusive designer bottles that have reliable protection against counterfeiting.
Bottle cork is made of cork wood only.
The labels on the real bottle are glued on exactly, without any smudges of paint or printing defects.
The original bottle is perfect, with no scratches or other technical imperfections, with foil neatly rolled up at the neck.
And of course, "Widow Clicquot" is not a cheap pleasure, so if you see a drink for a "ridiculous" price, you can be sure that you are looking at a fake.
In general, it is difficult to fake sparkling wine "Widow Clicquot", because it is not just a drink, but the pinnacle of wine craftsmanship in all respects. But still, be on the lookout and try to carefully study the product before buying.
It is also worth treating promotions and sales of Widow Clicquot with a very high degree of skepticism, because for such a bottle the storage technology could be violated, and it is difficult to determine by eye.
Update: 11.05.2018
Category: Wine and Vermouth