[2][5] Napoleon and Josephine had both stayed at L'Hôtel Ponsardin, her family's home (not a hôtel in the modern sense).

[7][3] In an attempt to consolidate the power of their two businesses, Mr. Ponsardin and Mr. Clicquot arranged a wedding between their children,[2] which was common at the time.

After his marriage, François Clicquot was officially made his father's partner, and in July, the company name was changed to "Clicquot-Muiron et Fils".

Louis Bohne remained a faithful employee of the company all his life and later became a valuable adviser to Madame Clicquot, even though he was usually stationed far away.

[9] In October 1805, seven years after their wedding, Francois fell suddenly ill[2] with a fever similar to typhoid.

[13] She entered into an apprenticeship with the winemaker Alexandre Fourneaux, and tried to save the wine business and make it grow.

[2] In the early 19th century, the Napoleonic Code denied women civil and political rights, prohibiting them from working, voting, earning money, or entering schools and universities without the consent of their husband or father.

[4][13] This left Barbe-Nicole in control of a company variously involved in banking, wool trading, and champagne production.

Under Madame Clicquot's control, the house focused entirely on champagne, and thrived[14] using funds supplied by her father-in-law.

[24] The film is based on Tilar J. Mazzeo’s New York Times bestseller The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It and focuses on “the true story behind the Veuve Clicquot champagne family and business that began in the late 18th century.”[8]