WIDOW CLICQUOT

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Storyline (warning: spoilers)

Widow Clicquot is based on the true story behind the Veuve Clicquot champagne family and business that began in the late 18th century. After her husband's untimely death, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot (Haley Bennett) flouts convention by assuming the reins of the fledgling wine business they had nurtured together. Steering the company through political and financial difficulties, she defies her critics and revolutionises the champagne industry, cementing herself to go down in history as one of the world's great innovators and pioneers of winemaking.
Despite being an empowering tale of triumph, the best aspects of this film are its beauty and its restraint. Without ever over-emphasising the point, the film never lets us forget what a major miracle Madame Clicquot achieved in her prime – at a time when women had few rights.
The legend of one of France’s most prestigious wines is a marvellous story that deserves a lush, big screen treatment. Here, feminist triumph, astonishing innovation and rich historical context are expertly blended into a captivating visual experience.
Barbe-Nicole’s legacy endures to this day thanks to her three inventions that completely revolutionised champagne-making techniques: creating the first known vintage champagne, devising blended rosé champagne, and the invention of the riddling table — which allowed for the mass production of champagne as we know it today.
Widow Clicquot is a visually impressive and fascinating tale of resilience that leaves a pleasing aftertaste on the palette. The film not only pays homage to its titular figure but also serves as an inspiring testament to the power of innovation and perseverance. Through its engaging narrative and insightful commentary, the film invites audiences to rediscover the life and legacy of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, a woman whose entrepreneurial vision continues to influence the world of champagne to this day.