Veuve Clicquot

Founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot, the house owes its legendary status to his daughter-in-law: widowed at 27 in 1805, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot-Ponsardin invented the riddling rack that clarifies champagne, created the first blended rosé, and shipped her bottles to the Tsar's court in the midst of war. "Only one quality, the very best": her motto still guides the Reims-based house, a member of LVMH, whose orange-yellow label, registered in 1877, is recognizable on tables around the world. The Grande Dame pays tribute to her.