A Champagne brand is ultimately judged on the quality of its non Vintage Brut. It is in the making of such a wine where Veuve Clicquot excels. An assemblage of fruit from as many as sixty different Crus, Yellow Label reflects stately vineyards and consistency of style from year to year. The predominance of Pinot Noir provides the structure that is so essential to Clicquot, while a touch of Pinot Meunier rounds out the blend. Chardonnay adds the elegance and finesse essential in a perfectly balanced wine.

It is the pursuit of excellence, a devotion to the art of Methode Traditionelle and the exceptional quality of fruit which are the fundamentals. Traditionally Pinot Noir dominates the cepage followed by Chardonnay and a fifth of Pinot Meunier, depending on the conditions of vintage. The Cellar Master has to achieve the total consistency of taste, which makes Brut Yellow Label so immediately recognisable, so utterly reliable in terms of quality, palate and bouquet. He will draw on priceless reserve wines, sometimes as much as 40% to ensure the continuity of style. Each of these older wines, perhaps nine years old, is kept separately to preserve the unique qualities of the vineyard and vintage.