Veuve Clicquot – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

THIS was no Picnic in the Park…

The Eiffel Tower was not in view…although you could almost hear Édith Piaf singing from a nearby vintage radio.

When our waiter popped the cork, it echoed briefly between buildings before being absorbed by laughter. THIS was more of an experience than an actual picnic.

It was a leisurely outdoor afternoon wrapped in beauty and bubbles. The scent of lavender was everywhere.

I always like to have at least one picnic in the summer time. One that involves spreading out a blanket under a tree on a grassy area, along with my dogs. But this time I elevated the experience to having a French picnic on a rooftop with a few friends. One that involved beautiful champagne, soft brie with figs, truffle frites, charcuterie and other bites.

The JW Marriott Parq Hotel Vancouver has turned the 17^th floor rooftop into a Va-Va-Va-Veuve detail oriented happening. The instantly recognizable famous champagne’s yellow label was not only on the champagne bottles, but also in the ambiance with décor like tablecloths, champagne flutes and umbrellas. Even a fridge!

The VEUVE CLICQUOT story has a tale as effervescent as the champagne itself.

Veuve Clicquot isn’t just a Champagne brand; it’s a legacy of innovation, resilience, and elegance. But it didn’t start out that way. Here’s a little history off the top of my head (like you believe that!).

Founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot-Muiron, the house originally dealt in banking and textiles, alongside wine. His son, François Clicquot, officially took over the champagne business in 1801, when Philippe retired.

Madame Clicquot, born Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, was a 27-year-old widow in 1805 when her husband François Clicquot died suddenly. At a time when women couldn’t legally run businesses unless widowed, she boldly took over the struggling family wine company and transformed it into a global champagne empire.

In 1810, she created the first known vintage champagne, daring to bottle wine from a single exceptional harvest year – a radical move that elevated champagne’s prestige. She also pioneered Rosé Champagne: In 1818, she blended red wine with her Yellow Label to create the first blended rosé Champagne. Thank you Ms. Clicquot – we’re so happy that your little experiment worked out so well, for so many of us.

The brand also had a cultural impact. Veuve Clicquot helped make Champagne the drink of celebration, thanks in part to Russian soldiers who adored it during the Napoleonic wars. No wonder we always think of champagne for everything Anniversaries, Weddings and to make a toast on New Year’s Eve.

The brand hosts the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, a celebrity-studded event in New York and Los Angeles.

For the first time, JW Marriott Parq Vancouver and Veuve Clicquot have opened their rooftop pop-up to the public, not just hotel guests. LePicnic Patio: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily, now through August 30th. Located on the 17th floor of JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, rooftop Aqua Lounge and JW Garden. Live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.