Tilar J. Mazzeo's "The Widow Clicquot" Tells How Champagne Became Famous

Filed in archive Sparkling Wine on December 30, 2008

Jane and Michael Stern has a great review of Tilar J. Mazzeo's biography of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin in the NY Times on Sunday.

With New Year's Eve upon us and a glass of bubbly soon to be in almost everyone's hand, I thought the review of Mazzeo's book was timely. Clicquot's life is inspiring in a number of ways - not the least of which is the story it tells of what a woman accomplished in 19th Century France. But according to the Sterns, the book is not entirely about Clicquot:

As much about Champagne itself as about the woman who helped elevate it to celebrity status, "The Widow Clicquot" reveals that the wine's history is as filled with faux folklore as a glass of it is with tiny bubbles. For one thing, Dom Pierre Pérignon did not invent it. The oft-told fable is that Dom Pérignon, the cellar master at the Hautvillers abbey, took a first sip and cried out to his fellow monks: "Come quickly! I am drinking the stars!" A charming tale, but bogus.

I haven't read the book myself yet. But the review makes me want to go look for a copy.

The Australian also had a review of the book back in November.


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