Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame x Yayoi Kusama 2012

Veuve Clicquot and iconic Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama are sending the world a message of hope and optimism celebrating the House’s new vintage, La Grande Dame 2012.

It is with its iconic symbols, the flower and the polka dots, that Yayoi Kusama adorns La Grande 2012 case and bottle. The polka dots, Yayoi Kusama’s signature patterns evoke the Champagne bubbles. Created in honor of Madame Clicquot called “La Grande Dame de Champagne” in her time, La Grande Dame perfectly expresses the Maison’s love for Pinot Noir

THE VINTAGE

With its highly capricious weather, few could have predicted the outcome of the 2012 harvest. But ultimately, the year’s warmth and sunshine prevailed to help define this exceptional vintage. A fine example of the La Grande Dame style, this cuvée perfectly expresses the radiant maturity of the 2012 harvest and the finesse and complexity of Pinot Noir.

In the spring, rainfall was 60% above average, followed by late frost and severe hailstorms that devastated more than 1,000 hectares of Champagne vineyards. After a difficult start to the season and multiple climatic vagaries (frosts, torrential rain, thunderstorms, hail, cold), mildness prevailed, and nature brought warmth and dry summer weather. The summer season established itself in mid-August with perfect sunshine conditions, very dry weather and high temperatures until the end of the harvest, producing high-quality grapes with good maturity and balance, similar to those of 1989 and 2002.

Tastings of the base wines revealed depth, intensity, length and perfect balance. Despite the modest harvest in terms of quantity, this excellent quality convinced the Cellar Master to declare 2012 a vintage year and create a new edition of La Grande Dame. La Grande Dame 2012 blend is made mainly from grapes from historical Grands Crus vineyards, among the most prestigious in Champagne.

TASTING NOTES

On the nose: Initial notes of white flowers, such as jasmine, honeysuckle and vine flowers can be felt and then opens with fruitier nuances of apple, pear and peach. A few notes of fresh almond and frangipane complete the bouquet.

On the palate: The cuvée reveals more complex aromas: dried apricot, hazelnuts, honey and sugar candy. Silky textures give the wine its personality, elegance and character. The aging has imparted particular depth and power to the wine.

PAIRING

La Grande Dame matches perfectly with freshly picked vegetables, herbs and fruits, offering endless possibilities thanks to a wide aromatic palette. “Grands Crus” vegetables for Grands Crus grapes. Savor the elegant simplicity of these “Grands Crus” vegetables with an accompaniment of quail, skate wing or sea urchin.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Varietals: 90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay

Appellation: Pinot Noir from Aÿ, Verzenay, Verzy, Ambonnay, Bouzy. Chardonnay from Grands Crus Avize and Mesnil-sur-Oger.