About this episode

The episode explores the life of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, a pioneering woman in the Champagne industry during the Napoleonic era.

Running a wine business in Napoleonic France wasn't easy. Constant wars meant naval blockades stopped you exporting your wares and invading armies might loot your cellars. But it was even harder for women - who were forbidden to run companies.    None of this stopped Barbe-Nicole Clicquot. When her husband died, she used a loophole that allowed widows to be entrepreneurs. Naming her Champagne brand after herself - Veuve Clicquot - the "Widow Clicquot" pioneered innovations in production and marketing that transformed the entire industry.      Write to us at businesshistory@pushkin.fm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Topics covered

• women in business
• Champagne industry
• entrepreneurship
• historical figures
• innovation
• marketing

Keywords

• Barbe-Nicole Clicquot
• Champagne
• Napoleonic France
• women entrepreneurs
• Veuve Clicquot
• wine business
• innovation
• marketing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Veuve Clicquot

Places: France

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