Veuve Clicquot embraces female chefs by launching its Solaire Tables initiative.

More than 250 years ago, predating debates on gender inequality, a young widow permanently disrupted the life of the Clicquot champagne house. Madam Clicquot's legacy is undeniable, celebrated from the English Royal Court to the Russian Czar for her brilliant yellow-label champagne creations. Today Maison Veuve Clicquot makes another strong statement - it launches its new programme aiming to embrace female chefs: Solaire Tables Central Europe.

Initiated by Veuve Clicquot, the Solaire Tables program, born under the influence of the Grande Dame of Champagne, started its 2-year journey in Central Europe including the selected countries of Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary. The program’s goal is no less than to create an exceptional community of female chefs,  in order to highlight and reinforce their culinary brilliance, innovation, and creativity  

"The purpose of the Solaire Tables program is to create a community of passionate women from the culinary world in the Central European region who identify with the “solaire culture”. This means sharing the creativity, innovation, and optimism of Madame Clicquot, and using their expertise to make the gastronomic scene shine even brighter. Solaire refers to the iconic yellow color, which has represented the rising sun since 1887, symbolizing Madame Clicquot's belief that every new day opens up new possibilities." explained Nora Szegedi, brand manager of Moët Hennessy Central Europe, at the beginning of the trip with selected female chefs to Maison Veuve Clicquot in Reims, France.

In this culinary program, selected restaurants led by female chefs offer a unique Solaire Tables encounter, featuring Solaire-made tasting menus. Slovenia's Michelin green-starred restaurant, Gostilna Repovž, proudly kicked off the Solaire Tables program with chefs Sabina Repovž (Gostlina Repovž) and Ksenija Mahorčič (Gostilna Mahorčič) leading the way. Paired with the finest Veuve Clicquot champagnes by the bottle or by the glass, the experience transcends expectations, presenting a journey through taste and tradition, embracing the Solaire culture. 

In Romania Raionul de Pește is the host of the Solaire Tabels program, Renata Lunceanu offers you a "redefined exclusivity, an intimate setting where you can enjoy an unforgettable experience. Each Veuve Clicquot champagne is associated with a tasting menu, creating a symphony of flavors that will linger in your memory long after the evening is over. You will be captivated by the magic that unfolds when the finest champagnes meet the fresh delights of the sea."

To foster a more intimate connection between the chefs and the solar culture, Veuve Clicquot Maison graciously extended invitations exclusively to the chefs participating in the Solaire Tables Programme. The day unfolded with a private tasting led by one of Maison's esteemed female winemakers, followed by a collaborative tasting and workshop with Christophe Pannetier, the executive chef of Maison Veuve Clicquot. A visit to the storied cellars added depth to the experience. Subsequently, the chefs were enveloped in the exclusivity of Hotel du Marc, often heralded as the Home of the Maison — an enclave secluded from the external world, reserved solely for the most privileged guests of Veuve Clicquot.

The values pursued by Barbe Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin whose motto was “There is only one quality, the finest” who took over the leadership of the house after her husband's death when she was 27 years old, are timeless. Today her efforts might not seem extraordinary, but Madame Clicquot did so in 1805, against her father-in-law's wishes, as he had intended to sell the champagne house and also during a time when the role of women in society was entirely different. She was an innovator and an entrepreneur; she took risks and broke the rules, introducing revolutionary innovations that define champagne-making technology until today, such as the riddling table, the first vintage champagne, and the first blended rosé champagne. She sought perfection and did not settle for shortcuts. That's why her story inspires us today and it is the mindset with which Solaire Tables Central Europe aims to support the female chefs of the region.

Solaire Tables – participating countries, chefs, and restaurants

Slovenia

Sabina Repovž, Gostilna Repovž

Ksenija Mahorčič, Gostilna Mahorčič

Croatia

Ana Grgić, Zinfandel's Restaurant

Lana Klingor, Masterchef at Home

Romania

Renata Luceanu, Raionul de Pește

Hungary

Edit Kovacs, Casa Christa

Bulgaria

Sveda Dimitrova, Ahora

About Veuve Clicquot

Veuve Clicquot, founded in 1772 in Reims, France, is a prestigious Champagne house renowned for its creativity and innovations. The brand gained prominence under the leadership of Madame Clicquot, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, who took over the business in the early 19th century. Veuve Clicquot is celebrated for its commitment to innovation and quality, producing iconic Champagnes such as the Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label. As one of the most successful female entrepreneurs in history, Madame Clicquot not only invented the first blended rosé and vintage champagne redefining the champagne culture as it was but also pioneered two key processes known as “Remuage” and “Pupitre”. The house is recognized for its distinctively rich and full-bodied style, marked by a perfect balance of freshness and depth. 

Veuve Clicquot employs a blend of three grape varieties in the production of its Champagnes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. Each grape variety contributes distinct characteristics to the final blend, while the overweight of Pinot Noir and a high percentage of reserve wines result in the unique and gastronomy-friendly flavor profile which Veuve Clicquot is renowned for.

source: press release