Veuve Clicquot

The House was originally established in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot. His son and heir, Francis, was being groomed to take over the bright yellow reins when he came down with a fever and died. Up steps his 27-year-old widow, Barbe Nicole Ponsardin, a visionary and a woman of exacting standards, tireless optimism and fiercely stubborn temperament who drove the business to giddying heights and is largely responsible for the huge profile the brand enjoys today.