It is with good reason that Veuve Clicquot chose Porsche Design Studio to create the most remarkable fridge ever seen on this planet. The design company, part of the Porsche Group, has long been known for the shivers it can send up the spines of those with an appreciation for all things chassis.

Vertical chills

This newest creation goes by the name of Vertical Limit. Only those who have seen it “in the flesh” can understand the special feeling brought about by witnessing the revelation of the truly inaccessible. And that is indeed what we are talking about here. It is not just the price tag of 50,000 €, after all, a used Targa would cost more, but rather the uniqueness of the product. Of only 15 produced, France will have the right to just one edition.

12 chambers at 12°

This champagne storage unit is a veritable work of art in brushed steel, standing 2m10 high and 60 cm wide. It is divided into a flight of 12 individually lit chambers, each containing one of the 12 Veuve Clicquot vintages produced since 1955, and all conserved at 12° Celsius (the temperature of the Clicquot cellars in Reims, and the ideal temperature to drink the wine). The selected vintages, the fruits of exceptional years, are a tradition of the House of Clicquot since 1810 when Mme Clicquot decided to reserve a part of that year's production and to sell it identifying it by its “birthdate”.

The dilemma

Then comes the inevitable question of whether to drink these treasures. The 1955, 1959, 1961 and 1962 vintages are extremely rare today, as are the years 1969 and 1975. And one should not consider opening the 1979 and 1982, ...to preserve at all costs Jacques Péters' first four vintages - the 1985, 1988, 1989 and 1990... Do not despair, however, the creators have thought of a solution to this dilemma. A knurl allows for the year of reference to be changed on each chamber, so that once the 1955 has been drunk, and is simply a delightful memory, the 2002 vintage can take up residence in its place. You have been warned the cost of savouring the nectar!

Jean-Marie PINÇON