Joie de Veuve

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY

YEARS OF BUBBLY

Jmadameean Marc Gallot comes in as the new president of Veuve Clicquot through high-end retail such as Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Christofle, but does he see champagne as a different kind of product? Is it strictly business? “I have a passion for wine and champagne,” he says. “I am a gourmet and a gourmand, meaning that I appreciate all the nice things and have always enjoyed food and wine. With my experience of 26 years with luxury companies, now being with Clicquot is as if all the planets would be aligned.”

Clicquot was the first entrepreneur in France. She had a motto, “only one quality—the finest.” Gallot takes that motto one step further. “That is not enough,” he says, “without a little twist of craziness, a passion, a kind of uniqueness, some daring, something unreasonable that you bring in to the professionalism to make it not only work, but something more exciting. It is all about sharing the experience.” Once every 150 years, Veuve Clicquot comes out with a new product. They have named the latest Rich, and it’s to be mixed as a cocktail with ice, fruits or vegetables. Wrapped in a sleek silver skin, it is the newest way to enjoy Veuve now.

“I am thrilled with the reception that Veuve Clicquot has here, outside of Europe, Canada is one of our top three markets.” We take a sip of champagne, and Gallot says, “there is a lot of excitement for the way it has been for Clicquot in the past, and we are looking forward to a brighter future.” I’ll drink to that. —SW