Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin

Clicquot, a wine merchants business was founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot-Muiron. His son married the legendary figure of Madame Nicole Barbe Ponsardin in 1798, and when her husband died in 1805 the long and outstanding tradition of Veuve Clicquot was established. Her discovery of the remuage (or 'riddling') process revolutionised the champagne making process.
Madame Clicquot died in 1866 aged 89, leaving one of the best champagne producers in a seriously healthy state.

Today the company owns several Antipodean wineries (such as Cape Mentelle, Cloudy Bay and Mountadam), and their champagne is as good as ever.