Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin is one of the most famous Champagne houses, founded in 1772. It gained international prominence under the leadership of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin (the 'Veuve' or Widow Clicquot), who revolutionized Champagne production by inventing the riddling rack. 'La Grande Dame' is the house's prestige cuvée, created in 1972 to celebrate its bicentenary and to honor Madame Clicquot. It is a vintage Champagne made exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards, heavily dominated by Pinot Noir, which provides structure and power, complemented by Chardonnay for elegance. It is known for its complexity, fine mousse, and notes of dried fruits, brioche, and minerality.