Cinema: Widow Clicquot

When her husband François (Tom Sturridge) suffers an untimely death, the now 27-year-old widow and mother fights to honour François’ wish for her to maintain the vineyards. Despite resistance to her modern methods, she perseveres in this male-dominated world, to produce the world-famous Veuve Clicquot champagne.

Set in France during the Napoleonic Wars, this surprising story of the woman who became known as the “Grande Dame of Champagne” is based on the best-selling biopic of the same name. A strong cast of largely British actors, led by the wonderful Bennett (Cyrano, Till), deliver this inspiring, romantic and good-looking period drama.