The Brut Sun Holder is a gift set designed by artist Yinka Ilori and released as a limited edition by Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin. It contains a bottle of Carte Jaune, a fruity, structured, and full-bodied champagne. This wine is the perfect accompaniment to your aperitifs as well as roasted sweetbreads.
This limited edition is part of the Reims-based house’s Culture Solaire collection. The bottle (75cl) becomes a contemporary art collectible, combining visual aesthetics with practical functionality.
This box is an insulated case that serves as an excellent alternative to a traditional ice bucket at the table. The box is made from bio-based materials and R-PET textile fibers. Its 3D knitting technology ensures temperature retention for 90 minutes. The colorful cover also protects the wine from ultraviolet rays, illustrating Veuve Clicquot’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
The creation of Veuve Clicquot Brut Sun Holder (Yinka Ilori)
The Terroir
The blend draws on grapes from 50 to 60 communes within the appellation. The Montagne de Reims provides the majority of the Pinot Noirs. Its deep clay-limestone soils retain winter precipitation, ensuring a steady water supply to the roots that promotes the slow ripening of the berries.
In the terroirs of Ambonnay and Bouzy, chalk acts as a natural reservoir. The Côte des Blancs, meanwhile, contributes the Chardonnays to the blend: the east-facing plots in Avize and Oger benefit from exposed chalk that stores solar energy during the day and releases it back to the foliage at night.
The Marne Valley completes the picture with its Meunier vines planted on marl. The rolling terrain protects the vines from the prevailing cold winds and reduces the risk of spring frosts. The diversity of these crus offers a wide range of aromatic profiles for the blend.
Winemaking
Cellar Master Didier Mariotti ensures the house’s stylistic continuity.
The blend combines 50 to 55% Pinot Noir and 28 to 33% Chardonnay. Meunier rounds out the blend at 15 to 20%. The house incorporates 30 to 45% reserve wines, drawn from five to six previous vintages, to establish the complexity and consistency of the style.
Pressing separates the cuvée juice from the pomace.
Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 18 degrees to preserve the finesse of the fruity aromas.
Malolactic fermentation is carried out on all wines, converting the sharp acidity into a rounder, more integrated texture.
The reserve wines age separately in large-volume tanks, cru by cru, to preserve the distinctiveness of each aromatic profile.
After bottling, the wine spends 36 months on racks in the chalk cellars of Reims, gradually developing its complexity.
After disgorgement and dosage (Brut), the wine rests for another three to six months in the cellar before being shipped.
Blend Characteristics
This cuvée is based on the multi-vintage principle, designed to smooth out the annual climatic variations characteristic of Champagne. The base year provides the tension of the most recent harvest, while the reserve wines add the patina of previous vintages.
In the spring, the winemaking team blind-tastes several hundred samples. The mapping of the crus guides the selection of complementary lots: Meunier delivers youthful fruit, Chardonnay builds tension and integrity, and Pinot Noir structures the final texture.
Tasting notes
Color
The golden-yellow color displays brilliant highlights. The lively effervescence creates a persistent bead on the surface of the glass. The liquid appears bright and clear.
Nose
The initial nose of the Brut Carte Jaune reveals aromas of mirabelle plum, peach, and ripe pear. As the wine breathes in the glass, notes of toasted brioche emerge, complemented by subtle hints of vanilla and marzipan.
Palate
The attack on the palate is energetic and straightforward. The fruity density confirms the dominance of Pinot Noir in the blend. The finish lingers with a lemony freshness and a silky texture.
Pairing Suggestions
- Gougères with aged Comté
- Smoked salmon on blinis
- Toasts with tarama
- Chicken with morels
- Roasted veal sweetbreads
- Pan-seared scallops
- Aged Parmesan
- Thin apple tart
- Vanilla macarons
Expert Review: More Bubbles
Brut Sun Holder (Yinka Ilori) Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin reimagines champagne service with thoughtful eco-design. Yinka Ilori’s solar motif fits naturally into the brand’s historic identity. The structured, wine-like profile offers true versatility at the table. Extend your exploration with the vinous character of a blanc de noirs champagne.
Storage and Serving Recommendations
How should this champagne be stored?
Darkness prevents the wine from being affected by light. The room temperature should be kept at around 11 degrees, with a humidity level of 75% to maintain the cork’s flexibility. Storing the bottle horizontally keeps the cork in contact with the wine. Avoid sources of regular vibration.
Aging potential
The addition of reserve wines supports the wine’s maturation.
- Immediate tasting: The wine expresses primary aromas of white fruit and citrus.
- 3-year horizon: The champagne develops notes of fresh butter and pastries.
- Up to 5 years: The wine evolves toward aromas of dried fruit and honey.
Serving recommendations
I recommend serving this champagne between 8 and 10 degrees, in a tulip-shaped glass that enhances the nose. The included insulated case keeps it chilled throughout the meal.
Trivia about this cuvée
The gold-yellow label has adorned the brand’s bottles since 1877, under the direction of Madame Clicquot’s successors (the Werlé house). British-Nigerian designer Yinka Ilori reinterprets this heritage in 2026: his motifs pay homage to traditional West African stories, appealing to contemporary design enthusiasts as well as champagne aficionados. Also explore the prestige of the La Grande Dame cuvée.
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