One hundred and sixty years. That’s how very long the love story has endured between Veuve Clicquot and Canada. This past November 3, the House of Veuve Clicquot brought together carefully chosen guests at the prestigious Château Frontenac in Québec City to celebrate this important event. LUXE was there.

Québec City was the natural place for the House of Veuve Clicquot to celebrate its 160^th anniversary, because this is where it all began. By the middle of the 19^th century, shipping Veuve Clicquot from France to its colony became easier with the growing number of steamships and, especially, the development of the railroad. The first delivery of champagne to Canada occurred in 1855: 25 cases each for Québec City and Montréal.

The Canadian bourgeoisie and elite, who were trying to copy the lifestyle of French high society at Versailles, prized Veuve Clicquot highly. The love affair quickly led to a tripling of export volumes. Veuve Clicquot’s distinctive taste naturally made it the perfect accompaniment for elegant evening parties.

One hundred and sixty years later, the love story between Veuve Clicquot and Canada is stronger than ever. Champagne is part of every important event, every rite of passage: weddings, births and anniversaries, of course, but also visits by the British Royal Family to Canadian soil.

Besides focusing on the history of this excellent champagne, the anniversary celebrates a unique woman ahead of her time, Madame Clicquot, who long before feminism had any effect on mentalities, showed her exceptional entrepreneurial fibre.