Jim Fagan
Veuve Clicquot champagne is the sparkling lecture for this month’s ADFAS Noosa meeting.
Guest speaker is Mudgee art historian John Broadley and, as any good researcher would do, he went to France, had a firsthand look at the famous bubbly’s archives and cellars as well as the hectic and complex history of Madame la Veuve Clicquot and her family.
Madame la Veuve Clicquot was one of France’s most celebrated women in the 18th and 19th centuries, being responsible for the development of the French champagne industry.
Widowed young, she showed ingenuity and pluck, in spite of often overwhelming obstacles, to find a market for her champagne which is highly valued today
ADFAS vice chairman, Julia Gamble, said John was an historian of Australian colonial architecture, French culture, and relationships between Australia and Europe.
“He has been chairman of ADFAS (Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society) in Mudgee and served on the ADFAS national executive.
She said he would also discuss French culture and Australia and European relationships.
“We have a great raffle prize also, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, a beautiful Murano glass bottle stopper and a book : The Widow Clicquot – The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It.
“All the raffle proceeds go towards our Young Arts initiative, supporting young art achievers in our area.
Madame la Veuve Clicquot, ADFAS Noosa. St Mary’s Church, 17 William Street, Tewantin, Saturday 17 September, 3.45pm. $25.
