Veuve Clicquot Rich Blanc is the playful, extra-rich champagne from the house of Veuve Clicquot, specially developed to be enjoyed on the rocks or chilled. The style is deliberately sweeter, with a 55g per liter dosage, allowing the fruit and roundness to shine through without sacrificing freshness. What sets Veuve Clicquot Rich Blanc apart from the house's classic Brut? The higher dosage, the use of a large portion of reserve wines, and the blend designed for serving on the rocks create a distinctly gourmand style that remains distinctly Veuve Clicquot.
Veuve Clicquot Rich Blanc comes from France, from the Champagne region, and is produced in Reims, the home of the Champagne house since the 18th century. This cuvée uses grapes from various plots within the region, with Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay forming the backbone of the blend. A key characteristic of Rich is that 40 to 45% of the blend consists of reserve wines—wines from previous vintages—which are added to ensure added complexity and a consistent house style. The combination of grapes from multiple vintages and a substantial portion of reserve wine results in a champagne with abundant fruit, roundness, and the recognizable Veuve Clicquot signature.
Veuve Clicquot Rich Blanc is made according to the classic méthode traditionnelle, with a second fermentation in the bottle. The blend consists of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay, with 40 to 45% reserve wines to create depth and consistency. After the second fermentation, the champagne is aged in the bottle for at least three years, well above the legal minimum for non-vintage champagne, resulting in a fine and creamy mousse and subtle brioche notes. The dosage of 55g per liter makes Rich a distinctly sweeter style, designed to be served over ice or chilled, maintaining a balanced interplay of freshness, fruit, and sweetness. Interestingly, the name "Rich" has appeared on Veuve Clicquot labels since 1877 to denote this sweeter style alongside the dry, yellow-clad cuvées.
Pinot Noir – Champagne
Pinot Noir (50% of the blend) gives Rich Blanc its structure, backbone and some of the ripe white and yellow fruit, while also having enough power to carry the higher dosage.
Meunier – Champagne
Meunier (30%) provides juiciness, soft texture and a generous, fruity character, making the champagne feel approachable and round.
Chardonnay – Champagne
Chardonnay (20%) brings fresh acidity, citrus accents and a refined, mineral note that provides balance and length in the aftertaste.
