Madame Pommery, Creator of Brut Champagne

by Rebecca Rosenberg

Champagne, France, 1860. Madame Pommery, an etiquette teacher and orphanage founder, loses her husband and is forced to support her family. With no experience, the forty-year-old widow decides to make champagne. Her unique vision is to change it from a sweet dessert beverage to a dry, crisp wine to be enjoyed anytime. When champagne makers refuse to teach her their craft, she forges ahead on her own and secretly begins the excavation of champagne caves under the Reims city dump.

Soon after, her son and her entire crew are conscripted to fight the Franco-Prussian war, leaving Madame Pommery alone to struggle with her champagne dreams. After Napoleon and a hundred thousand French troops are captured, the Prussians invaded France, and Prussian General Frederick Franz occupies Madame Pommery’s house as his army headquarters. Undaunted, Pommery uses her secret wine caves to hide the Francs-Tireurs, resistance fighters for France, while she plans to build a spectacular castle winery above the caves.

But when her former lover, a Scottish Baron, unexpectedly proposes marriage, Madame Pommery must choose between nobility and her passionate quest for fine champagne and the most beautiful winery in the world.

Based on a true story, Madame Pommery is a heroic novel about a mother and widow who fights the Prussians, the social class system, champagne patriarchs, and champagne tastes to create a champagne legacy.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, France, Romance, War, Historical Romance

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2023

About the author

Rebecca Rosenberg is a triple-gold award-winning author of MADAME POMMERY and CHAMPAGNE WIDOWS. Rebecca is a lavender farmer, champagne geek, champagne tour guide, and cocktail creator for Breathless Wines. She is the moderator of Breathless Bubbles & Books and American Historical Novels.
Rebecca writes novels about history’s real-life women of substance who made an indelible mark on the world. Her latest novel begins a series about the true champagne widows, the first of whom was Veuve Clicquot. (Veuve is French for widow.)
Rebecca is a University of Colorado alumni and holds a Stanford University novel-writing certificate. Her novels have garnered many awards including IBPA, IPPY, and starred Publisher Weekly reviews for her novels, THE SECRET LIFE OF MRS. LONDON (Lake Union 2018) and GOLD DIGGER, The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor (Lion Heart 2019). As lavender farmer and founder of the largest lavender products manufacturer in America, Rebecca’s new book is LAVENDER FIELDS OF AMERICA.
Rebecca has researched the CHAMPAGNE WIDOWS novels through a decade of trips to the Champagne region of France, consulting with champagne historians and champagne wineries for delicious exploration.

Reviews

[CarolG · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1860 Madame Pommery, an etiquette teacher and orphanage founder, becomes a widow and needs to support her family. Since red wine gives her a headache, the 40-year-old widow decides to make champagne, changing it from a sweet dessert beverage to a dry, crisp wine to be enjoyed anytime. In 1870 her son and entire crew are conscripted to fight the Franco-Prussian war, leaving Madame Pommery alone to struggle with her champagne-making business. After Napoleon and his French troops are captured, the Prussians invade France, and Prussian General Frederick Franz occupies Madame Pommery’s house as his army headquarters. To quote from the book blurb, based on a true story, Madame Pommery is a novel about a mother and widow who fights the Prussians, the social class system, champagne patriarchs, and champagne tastes to create a champagne legacy.

I previously read and enjoyed Champagne Widows by this author and this novel was just as enjoyable, maybe even more so. It's easy to read, not a lot of historical information to sift through and yet I learned quite a bit about champagne making and the conditions under which the French people (especially women) had to live back in the late 1800s. Every time I read a story about the occupation of France by one regime or another over the centuries, I feel so sorry for the people. Madame Pommery was a character to admire and I was delighted to learn her story. I love the catchy chapter titles printed in both French and English. The tears were running down my cheeks by the end of the book and I don't cry easily believe me. I hope there's another book in the Champagne Widows series but the first two can be read independently.

As a side note, I got very thirsty reading about the crisp, clean not-too-sweet champagne created by Mme. Pommery so I searched for it here in Ontario. Pretty pricey, and not just hers. I had no idea. I'll have to wait for a really special occasion!

I wish to thank Lion Heart Publishing and Rebecca Rosenberg, the author, for inviting me to be a part of her review crew and for supplying me with a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Published March 21, 2023

[Mary-Lisa Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I received an ARC of this lovely, well-written book.

It's been a stellar 2023 reading year for me thus far, and I am pleased to say this book is a part of this top notch group of books.

This is the first book I've read from Rebecca Rosenberg... and I am pretty sure it won't be my last. I enjoyed her writing style and the way she fleshed out Madame Pommery with a realism that sprung from the very pages of this book. Strong, determined, a woman with a vision that was destined to exist and thrive in an era where female entrepreneurs are frowned upon. I admire her conviction to fight for her place in the world... to make her dreams a glowing reality. The book illuminated my own hope and determination to never fold under pressure or if obstacles are thrown my way.

It's always a nice experience when a reader can connect with a book and be inspired. A wonderful, "true story."

Thank you kindly to Rebecca Rosenberg for an ARC of her lovely book.

5/5

[Christy fictional_traits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madame Pommery - a lady as magnificent as the champagne legacy she created. In 1858, after finding herself widowed with a baby and a teenage son to support, and no more than a failing wool business as financial security, she takes on making champagne. Not one to compete with the existing great Champagne houses, 'Never imitate anyone...', she created a completely new style of champagne; bringing the dry brut style, that we mostly enjoy today, to the world in 1874. A feat in itself, 'Madam, champagne lovers have been drinking sweet champagne for a century. You cannot change their tastes on a whim.' Beyond her success with brut, Madame Pommery was a true trailblazer, creating a luxury brand, innovating cellaring in chalk caves which kept temperature constant and establishing social security for her employees.

Rebecca Rosenburg brings to life this lively and worthwhile woman in her book 'Madam Pommery'. It showcases the woman, her work, and her ambition. In my opinion, the book should have and could have been longer and more in-depth. While Rosenburg touches upon so many aspects of this great woman's life, sometimes there were only glimpses and I was left wanting more. Nonetheless, this is an enjoyable read about an amazing woman and I'll toast to that!

'Rules are important, and we must understand them to get along in this world, but if we never think beyond the rules, we will miss a lot of opportunities.'

[Rhonda 🌒🌕🌘 🐈‍⬛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 🌟 *rounded down
4/5 ❤️‍🩹
3/5 🥰
0/5 🌶️
0/5 🔎
3/5 😰A
3/5 🎭T

⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️

War
Grief

🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️

”A Tour de Force of Historical Fiction" ~Publisher's Weekly BookLife Prize

Toast to Resilience: Madame Pommery's Unyielding Spirit
1860, Reims, France. Grief hangs heavy, threatening to drown Alexandrine Pommery's future. Widowed and burdened, she could easily succumb. But a spark ignites within her and she dares to dream of a champagne unlike any other – a dry, crisp masterpiece instead of the traditional sugary sweet champagne.

Her vision meets scoffs. "Who would drink such a thing?" But Alexandrine's spirit is unyielding. In the vineyards, she coaxes grapes to their peak. In the cellars, she experiments. Each trial, each misstep, fuels the fire of her creation – Pommery Brut, a champagne as dry as her resolve, yet bubbling with rebellion.

The Franco-Prussian War shatters the peace in 1870. Son and crew march off, leaving Alexandrine to train women her revolutionary methods. But the Prussian invasion steals all hope, as the army pillages her cellars of precious Brut.
Alexandrine refuses to be a victim. She excavates secret caves under the city dump, and hides her champagne from the enemy. Her cellars become a refuge, not just for bottles, but for the French resistance.

To make matters more complicated, two men offer her their love. One, too young, improper, perhaps even scandalous. The other, a Scottish Baron, promises a castle and title, and a life beyond the relentless toil of champagne. Now torn between two men, Alexandrine must find the courage to forge her own path of legacy or love.

Uncork the secrets and taste the audacity of a widow's dream, and the unwavering spirit of Madame Pommery.

🌎📖OVERALL REVIEWS📖🌎
Courtesy of Storygraph

COMMUNITY REVIEWS
SUMMARY OF 12 REVIEWS

Moods
inspiring 100%
informative 87%
adventurous 50%
reflective 37%
hopeful 25%
challenging 12%
emotional 12%
lighthearted 12%
mysterious 12%
sad 12%
tense 12%
Pace
medium 50%
fast 37%
slow 12%
Plot- or character-driven?
A mix: 71% | Character: 28%
Strong character development?
Yes: 66% | It's complicated: 33%
Loveable characters?
Yes: 66% | It's complicated: 16% | N/A: 16%
Diverse cast of characters?
Yes: 66% | It's complicated: 16% | No: 16%
Flaws of characters a main focus?
No: 50% | It's complicated: 33% | N/A: 16%
Average rating
4.31


🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔

This beautifully written novel is based on a true story of how the world came to know the brut champagne we enjoy today. It’s a blend of history and romance that kept me interested and invested.

The struggles of a widowed woman and all she endures in a war torn France. Her dreams of creating her champagne, the interest of 2 men. One a Scottish Baron and one a younger man. Hiding the French Resistance in her secret caves.

Thank you to Goodreads for this ebook giveaway and allowing me the chance to win and read it! Many thanks to the author, Rebecca Rosenberg and the publisher, Lion Heart Publishing!

I truly enjoyed reading this and thought it a great read for Women’s Month and Women’s Day! 👸🏻💪🏼

RATING KEY:

🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️‍🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared/Anxious - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy/Tragedy based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy

[Foxy Vixen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Rosenberg certainly didn’t disappoint me in educating me about Champagne, in particular Brut Champagne.
If you want ti read a great historical saga this is for you.
And watch out for Felix!

[Carla Suto · Rating 5 out of 5]

MADAME POMMERY, CREATOR OF BRUT CHAMPAGNE by Rebecca Rosenberg is the author’s second Champagne Widows novel. I very much enjoyed the first book in the series which was about Veuve Cliquot, the first woman of Champagne and I was excited to read another fascinating story of a woman in history who made such a dramatic impact on the Champagne industry as it still exists today. In 1860, Madame Pommery is an etiquette teacher and orphanage founder in Reims. When her husband Louis dies, she is the only one who can support herself, her son and her young daughter. Without any experience at all, Madame Pommery makes the astounding decision to change the family winery from making red wine to champagne. She also decides to create a champagne that is crisp and dry, rather than sweet. She encounters unimaginable challenges at every turn, including ridicule from established champagne makers and vineyard owners, push-back from her banker and the conscription of her son and her whole male crew to fight in the Franco-Prussian war. Madame Pommery enlists local women from all walks of life to help with the wine-making and the excavation of caves under the city dump where she secretly stores her champagne. Based on true history, the story of Madame Pommery and the legacy she built is an intriguing exploration of one heroic woman’s quest to make the best champagne in the world. This was a perfect blend of history and fiction and a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to the author for the chance to read and review an early copy.

[Kathleen Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madame Pommery by Rebecca Rosenberg is the story of Madame Pommery, Jeanne Alexandrine Louise, who has founded an orphanage and also teaches etiquette, and some of her teachings are scattered throughout the book.

She loses her husband at a young age, and she is left with a young daughter and a teenage son. Her husband had operated a wool business and a small winery on the side. She is only 40 when her husband dies so she has to support her family. She decides to use the winery for making champagne and not wine. She is told by the villagers that it can't be done because she is a woman. In France at this time, women can only inherit if they are a widow.

She learns the trade from whomever she can just not from fellow champagne makers and once her business is off the ground, she now needs somewhere to store all the champagne that has been made. She starts excavating under the dump in the caves in Reims. She purchased 120 limestone and chalk pits, called crayeres which were carved underneath 12 miles of the city of Reims by Roman soldiers during their occupation of Gaul.

Soon France is involved in the Franco-Prussian war, after Napolean and his troops are captured, Prussian General Frederick Franz takes over her home and insists that she and the women in town serve his troops. She does, only to keep her champagne safe from them. Franz and his men are cruel but Madame soon is able to befriend him, although unwillingly. She will protect her winery at all costs.

Then her past lover proposes marriage but she turns him down as she has feelings for another. She struggles to make the champagne that she wants, dry champagne and not the surgery ones that England and France are used to.

This story is based on a true story of a woman who revolutionized the art of champagne making. Changing it to Brut champagne, she had opposition along the way, even from her own son. But she persevered and created a remarkable product for the world to enjoy!

I always love a good story about strong women and this is a good one. Great research, and great writing all make a great story!
I give it 5 stars.

I received a copy of the book for review purposes only.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-written, interesting account of life in 1800s-1900s France and how difficult it was to run a business as a woman. Madame Pommery was a strong woman who had to revamp her husband’s business and created an empire that continues to thrive today. The writing was easy to follow and wasn’t bogged down with too many technical terms about champagne making. I enjoyed learning more about the champagne business but found the translations to be lacking and the idioms incorrectly used in some places. Otherwise, I was completely entranced by this story and am eager to try Rosenberg’s first Champagne novel about Veuve Clicquot as well as change any vacations plans to include a visit to Mme Pommery’s castle.



I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the second book on her Champagne Widows Novels series Rebecca Rosenberg brings to life an extraordinary woman, Madame Jeanne Alexandrine Pommery who suddenly finds herself widowed with a small child and makes a decision that changes her life and transcends centuries, she decides to change the production of the family business from making red wine to producing champagne. Does she know anything about making champagne? No, but this little detail doesn't holds her back and with her ingenuity, will power, and hard work, she produces and distributes Brut Champagne and makes it an empire, one that we still recognize today as the excellence in the champagne world.
The book is written beautifully, the writing just flows and it shows the outstanding amount of research the author did in order to write this book. While reading the book you cannot help yourself to rule for the succes of Madame Pommery and her endevours.
This is an excellent book to read during Women's celebration month, one that showcases an extraordinary woman.

[luckykarmatx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a drinker, but I absolutely must find Madame Pommery's champagne and try it... Immediately. I will not sleep until I have located at least one bottle so I can make a toast in her honor. What an inspiring story! It truly highlights the difficulties women face when trying to find their place in a male dominated society... Madame Pommery is the unapologetic dreamer and heroine that we all need. Fantastic read.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kayla King · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned some interesting tidbits about the history of brut champagne, and appreciated the broader historical context provided for this time and place. Unfortunately, the characters felt a little flat to me (champagne pun ha ha).

[Lauralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madame Pommery is a forty-one year-old widow who is left to raise a young daughter and support her adult son through college. In order to support herself financially, she decides to sell off her struggling wool business to make champagne. She wants to attempt what no other champagne maker has ever done before by adding less sugar. Even though her business prospect is risky, she is determined that her vision will succeed. However, there are many obstacles that stand in her way including war and love. Madame Pommery must overcome these challenges to establish her legacy in the champagne industry.

Madame Pommery is an admirable figure. Even though she took over her husband’s wine business, she still had to start from scratch because many of her husband’s workers left the winery, and she wanted to create a different type of champagne. Therefore, Madame Pommery was tenacious, a risk taker, and a visionary. She never gave up on pursuing her dream. She also found the right people who helped make her champagne a success. Thus, Madame Pommery was a pioneering figure because she revolutionized the champagne industry.

Overall, this novel is about dreams, family, and change. The message of this book is to never stop chasing after your dreams. While Madame Pommery is a well-developed character, many others are flat. I also found the romance aspect to be unnecessary. I also found it unconvincing that she had many suitors fighting over her. Despite these flaws, it was a fast-paced novel that was filled with historical detail. My favorite part was her entrepreneurship and how she established a successful business. Madame Pommery was an enthralling read of a fascinating woman whose story I had not heard before. Therefore, I am very interested in learning more about her. I recommend this novel for fans of The French House, The Winemakers, and The Winemaker’s Wife!
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)

[Lindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC complimentary from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The book may have been complimentary, but this review is all mine.

"Madame Pommery" is about the woman who gave us Brut Champagne. Before this book, I was familiar with Brut Champagne as the one that isn't as sweet as the others, and perfect to balance OJ in mimosas (game changing if you haven't tried this one!). After reading this book I now know how Louise Pommery (Madame) transformed a struggling wool and red wine business into what we know today as Champagne Pommery. I also know way more about the Franco-Prussian war.

This is what I love about historical fiction. There are so many fun tidbits about history that I had to research just to see if they were true, and they ALL WERE! I enjoyed Rosenberg's writing style. The book has a strong female lead. Madame Pommery is going to do whatever it takes to make her dreams come true in a time when women weren't typically able to do that. There are love interests without being too much of a love story (unless you consider a love of bubbles a love story 🥂 💕- I think I do now!). Also, the descriptions of the wine making process, children growing up, and French/Scottish architecture were beautiful. I now have a tour of the Pommery cuvées in Reims on my bucket list!

I really enjoyed this book. If you like historical fiction, I highly recommend!

Trigger warnings: war (blood, violence, death), miscarriage, sexual harassment

[Barbara Monaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading about strong women in history and Madame Pommery certainly fits the bill. This is very interesting historical fiction about a period I know little about. It would be fascinating to find out what was real and what was invented by the author. Anyway, I loved learning about champagne, the history and the process. Reading about the French food was an added bonus. I also loved Felix, the winery cat.

[Anastasia Abboud · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, brilliant story! I hated for it to end.

I kept forgetting that it’s historical fiction. Rebecca Rosenberg clearly did her research before combining facts with extraordinary storytelling skills to create a sweeping historical novel. She drops us into France’s Champagne district in the latter part of the late nineteenth century and leaves us there – fully immersed in and fully enthralled by the culture and story.

I loved learning about the creator and the creation of Brut champagne. Madame Pommery comes across so vividly, so alive in the pages that by the time I reached the end of the book, I felt I knew her personally. Moreover, romantic that I am, I thoroughly enjoyed the personalities, relationships, and lovely scenery described throughout the book.

A magnificent story, a masterpiece of storytelling. Raising a glass, Rebecca Rosenberg! Congratulations and thank you!

[enjoyingbooksagain · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts
Set in the 1860’s Madame Pommery is a story of a women who loses her husband and is left to take care of a young daughter and a teenager son. So she decides to use a winery to make champagne which she is told she can’t do because she a women. But she does it.
Author Rebecca Rosenberg writes such interesting stories about strong women and how they overcome and triumphant what they set out to do I always enjoy reading stories like this. I highly recommend this if you like stories set in the 1860’s and strong women beating all odds or if you just want to read a good book

[Sunhawk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second 'heroic French woman' book by this author that I have read, and it suits me fine. The author is interested in a period when women in France, if they had enough courage, were endowed with enough class, and garnered help from the dominant culture -- being beautiful helped, of course -- could live up to their potential in a public and noticeable way. From what I know of history, the author did her homework and has been faithful enough to the times and peoples to give me a fascinating window into a juicy world.

[Janet McMillan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather stiff and boring

The book was okay. I received the book in a Goodreads giveaway for an honest opinion. I had to force myself to keep reading it. I like historical fiction books, but not this one. The characters were bland and rather boring to me. The author is rather wordy. Meaning that she writes 20 words that could have been conveyed in 10. The storyline moved to slowly. The last third of the book was a little better.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free as part of a contest and I’m so glad I did because I really enjoyed it. I’m not sure I would have read it otherwise! I loved all the characters and truly enjoyed the story of Madame Pommery and all her bravery in changing the industry. The story flowed well in most parts. There were a few slower areas but I feel they were important to the story! Now I’ll need to look into the other champagne stories!

[Melissa B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the through GoodReads First Reads.
I loved this book, everything about it! The characters were mesmerizing, so realistic.
Coming from NYS wine country, I truly enjoyed the descriptions of the wine, the nose, the flavors, the colors and clarity.
This was a well written, well researched book.
I hope there are more!

[Dana K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Book and Wine Lovers Marketing for the gifted copy. All opinions below are my own.

Madame Pommery tells us the story of a widowed woman who decides to continue running her family’s winery and modernize it after her husband’s death. At every turn, she is faced with men telling her what she can and can’t do. Even after she gets a little bit of success, she is constantly second-guessed. She soldiers on through financial troubles, through work of shortages and a war, an occupation of her home and more threats to her family. But she has a vision and will stop at nothing to make it come to fruition.

I love well, researched historical fiction where you are learning about someone’s life, a piece of history you were unaware of, and in this case, a skill set, and yet you are still compelled by the storytelling. Madame Pommery takes place during and after Napoleon’s rule, so you get the impact of politics and war but it’s not the WWI or WWII Fiction we are so inundated with. It’s also a bit of glitz and glam and yet while it deals with nobility and the idea of wealth… It is very much about a family struggling to survive and thrive. I loved her unique ideas, including exploiting the law and taking advantage of the natural world.

This is a really fun listen that has a little bit of something for everyone.

[Cara Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of historical fiction, and especially if you love stories like Les Miserables, then you are going to love this book!

This is a story set during the Prussian/Franco war, showcasing the strength and ingenuity of a woman who refuses to let the world dictate her path. The love, daring, growth, and acceptance Mdme Pommery finds within herself, and along her journey, will have you cheering for her, aching for her, and loving her for including you on her path of uncertainty and innovation. I cannot praise this book enough, and I hope to find even a quarter of the woman Mdme Pommery is within myself. Well worth the read!

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madame Pommery is based on a true story about a courageous and fabulous woman! I previously read and enjoyed Champagne Widows by this author and this book was just as good if not better! This was an entertaining story. I loved learning about Madame Pommery! She definitely didn't have it easy! I learned so many fascinating facts! It's an easy and entertaining story about love, loss, heartache, determination and more! And the author's note at the end explaining what happened to the main characters was a great bonus! Thank you Book and Wine Lovers, Rebecca Rosenberg and Lion Heart Publishing for sharing this book with me!

[Lara Kleinschroth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had me wishing I had a tall flute of champagne in my hand as I devoured the delightful story of a woman in France forging her own path through the creation of a new bubbly. True to the historical fiction genre, I was happy to immerse myself in a world I knew little about while being told a really good story at the same time. I love a good book that involves all the senses and since this one was about the creation of champagne, I felt the author did an outstanding job of describing the process and finished product. I could see the golden colour shimmering in a coupe, feel the bubbles bursting in my mouth, smell the different grape varietals, taste the luscious finished product. Well written interesting story, highly recommend.

[Mela]

Today [Sept 28th, 2023] free on Amazon.

[Noel Lizotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful. Charming. Descriptive.

The story of Madame Pommery is that of a woman who knows her own mind and has goals, set in a time when both of those were frowned upon.

While she is plagued with self doubt at times and challenged in her relationships, she remains focused on creating the perfect Champagne. This effort is rife with men who strive to derail her in all manner of methods, because, after all, Can a woman really create Champagne?

As the story unfolds, the reader finds themselves drawn deeper and deeper into the plot. Turning the page becomes unavoidable.


I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only. I won't hesitate to purcahse another book from Rebecca Rosenberg.

[Sharon Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the life of Jeanne Alexandrine Pommery—who is credited with creating Brut Champagne and changing the tastes of champagne lovers around the world—Madame Pommery is the second book in author Rebecca Rosenberg’s Champagne Widows series. Rich in historic detail and populated by beautifully drawn characters, the novel immerses the reader in mid-19th century France, when societal restrictions on women, the Franco-Prussian War, and the male-dominated domain of champagne, test the resolve of the indomitable Madame Pommery. This must-read novel offers a fascinating look at the courage, brilliance, and unswerving will of a woman well ahead of her time.

[Maria Lewytzkyj-Milligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Champagne, France 1860 comes alive.! What a portrayal of a complex pioneer. Who would think of making a dry champagne when everyone finds the taste of sweet champagne preferable? Madame Pommery. Her vision grabbed me, and I felt for her from the start as her life took a turn that could have led her to heed the advice of “advisors” to simply retire to the country cottage when her husband dies. Under French law, she could own their wine business after her husband died, an exemption not available to many other women. But if she were to remarry, that would be an entirely different story.
Set in the midst of the Franco-Prussian war, I found myself completely immersed in the war that affected businesses so tremendously as she was hurled into the center of it, desperate to build on her constant entrepreneurial spirit and unwilling to be prevented from what she insisted she needed to accomplish. She made the impossible possible and along the way got the help of an assortment of characters who I couldn’t wait to see more of as I turned each page.
Even when she started to promote her dry variety and added cubes of sugar to satisfy the palates of those who were sold on sweet champagne, she found old friends who helped her, despite seeing some of her closest advisors force her into extremely compromised positions for their own power grabs and survival. Power and politics, war and day-to-day life despite it, sweet and dry, lost loves and big dreams, and again as only Rebecca Rosenberg can do, the mystery of an industry through the eyes of widows who risk it all to bring satisfaction to those with a love for champagne and wine. At points, I felt there’s no way she’ll turn this trick into potential, but Madame Pommery is a force of nature unlike I’ve ever seen. The way she handles some unenviable circumstances is admirable while leaving me uneasy many times. Every time she blocked traffic on Reims Square to harvest, the intensity I felt from what she had to do to persevere was exhilarating. What a rush!
Most of all, I love her approach to making champagne when asked: “How does an artist know what a painting will look like when it’s finished? They start with an idea and work on it until it becomes real. This champagne is my idea. In a couple of years, I am certain this wine will please palates.” She didn’t mask everything, even the grapes, and how refreshing indeed. I’ll be haunted by some of her pains, the excesses she witnessed, and most of all the joy of trying with every bit of her soul to see her vision through without foul play and sheer audacity, spirit, and willing to put herself on the line when others would fade away.
When the book ended, it didn’t fade to the back, her life burst to the front reminding me of what it means to be indomitable.

[Julie Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoilers: Rebecca Rosenberg gave us, Champagne Widows, a sparking novel about the rise of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, a Frenchwoman who became

the first female wine entrepreneur creating Veuve Clicquot during the backdrop of Napoleon's reign.

Her latest historical fiction novel actually surpasses her previous effort. This time she gives us Madame Pommery, about Jeanne Alexandrine Louise Melin Pommery, creator of Brut Champagne during the Franco-Prussian War. It is a captivating novel about a woman's struggle to survive war, run her own business in a male dominated society, provide a future for her children, and create something beautiful, unique, and lasting.


Right away Rosenberg gives us different people with her two leads. Champagne Widows presented Barbe-Nicole first as a young woman rejecting arranged marriages, helping out in the vineyards with her powerful sense of smell, and studying the business side of selling wine. She is a young woman at the start of her life's journey.


Alexandrine is in the middle of her journey. She is close to her 50's and still recovering from the death of her husband, Louis. She is trying to retain a brave front for her two year old daughter, Louise and curtailing the sharp criticisms from her school aged son, Louis who blames his father's death on his need to return to work after Louise's surprise birth. Alexandrine also has to contend with the loss of her family finances and that unless something is done soon, they will be left destitute.


Alexandrine's character arc shows her challenging the role expected of her as an upper class Frenchwoman. She was originally someone who read and followed etiquette books to the letter and got involved in philanthropic activities like teaching and helping reformed prostitutes all with a sense of detachment and noblesse oblige.


After her husband's death those detached standards no longer exist when she has to be the sole breadwinner. At Louis' funeral, she responds with emotion and breaks the protocol because of her grief. She realizes for the first time that these etiquette rules are no substitute for human emotions like grief or loss. This moment cements Alexandrine as a woman who is willing to challenge expectations to acknowledge her independence.


Alexandrine exhibits this independence when she decides to run her Pommery winery herself. While women usually are not permitted to run businesses, widows are and Alexandrine uses that loophole to take over the wine business. Many like her husband's former business partner, Reynard Wolf question her abilities and decisions. They represent the old guard, men who believe that women should be coddled and protected and are incapable of being hard-nosed entrepreneurs. Many of Alexandrine's decisions are argued against by people like Wolf because of their short sightedness of hearing suggestions come from a woman who is going against the way things are usually done.


Many of Alexandrine's ideas end up being beneficial for her company and makes Pommery stand out. One of them is to specialize in champagne which she prefers to wine and is often used for special events occasions so it attracts a higher clientele. Many of Alexandrine's ideas come about by her own ingenuity.

She finds a series of limestones and chalk pits called crayeres and uses them as cellars to store the bottles.


An accident of leaving grapes out too long creates brut champagne, champagne that is known for its dryness and sweetness. While Brut is questioned throughout the novel and rejected by many, it had a long lasting impact so that now it is one of the most popular types of champagne.


Alexandrine also displays an eye for art and beauty. She hired sculptors and artists to turn her champagne house into a work of art with sculptures depicting various figures, particularly from myth and legend. This is so visitors can not only see how the champagne is made but could be awed at the creative beauty displayed around them. They can make a day of it.


One of the drawbacks to Rosenberg's previous book was the unnecessary inclusion of a supernatural subplot in which a demonic figure called the Red Man possesses Napoleon. Thankfully, there are no supernatural elements in this book. Well not major ones. There is a possibly magic or mundane situation that is actually presented by none other than Barbe-Nicole herself! There is a sweet passing the torch moment between the two entrepreneurs early in Alexandrine's career where Barbe-Nicole encourages Alexandrine to take the business for herself.


Barbe-Nicole also gives a cat that appears to be a matagot (a spirit that takes the form of a cat) to Alexandrine's daughter, Louise. The matagot, called Felix, does not appear to do anything overly magical except disappear and reappear on occasion and live an unusually long time. However, he could be a sign of good luck and prosperity letting Alexandrine know that she is on the right path.


In Champagne Widows, many of Napoleon's violent and warlike tactics could be attributed to the influence of the Red Man. Madame Pommery does not need such a paranormal excuse for people to do awful things. The Franco-Prussian War occurs because of land disputes and avaricious leaders who want more and don't care about the soldiers and civilians who have to suffer and die for it.


Alexandrine is forced to house the Prussian soldiers. She retains politeness but steely reserve as she serves these men who have no reason to be in her country. She also defends her daughter and female servants and employees from the lecherous soldier's advances.


Alexandrine shows courage and quick thinking when men are conscripted to fight including her employees and her son. Since she still needs the grapes to be treated and champagne to be made, she recruits women from a nearby brothel for assistance. Remembering her philanthropy over the years, the women happily comply and prove to be just as valuable a workforce as the men.


Alexandrine was known to be a kind and charitable employer giving retirement funds and health benefits for her employees and that is on display throughout the book. She treats her employees with kindness and devotion regardless of gender, previous occupation, income, or religion. She is also very encouraging towards them in her personal life. Damas, a boy from the village who is rendered mute, proves to be an adept vintner and eventually becomes a close friend to Louise.


One of the strongest relationships that develops is between Alexandrine and Lucille, Louise's former nanny. After Louis is sent to war, Alexandrine is surprised to learn that Lucille and Louis were not only romantically involved but had secretly married and Lucille is carrying his child. Besides Lucille being a servant, their relationship flies into convention because Lucille is Jewish. Once Alexandrine learns this, she treats Lucille kindly and cares for her like a daughter.


Alexandrine's kindness towards Lucille not only improves their

bond but Alexandrine's bond with her children. Louis who was once critical of his mother now admires her strength and perseverance seeing how she also loved his wife and child. Louise also finds her bond with her mother improves when she finds herself in a similar situation after the war. These actions show that Alexandrine's family will thrive long after she's gone.


Madame Pommery is a better book than Champagne Widows. Rosenberg has clearly given us a great historical fiction about an amazing woman. It is a historical fiction that is sweeter than a glass of wine or a flute of brut champagne.

[Kathleen Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madame Pommery by Rebecca Rosenberg is the story of Madame Pommery, Jeanne Alexandrine Louise, who has founded an orphanage and also teaches etiquette, and some of her teachings are scattered throughout the book.

She loses her husband at a young age, and she is left with a young daughter and a teenage son. Her husband had operated a wool business and a small winery on the side. She is only 40 when her husband dies so she has to support her family. She decides to use the winery for making champagne and not wine. She is told by the villagers that it can't be done because she is a woman. In France at this time, women can only inherit if they are a widow.

She learns the trade from whomever she can just not from fellow champagne makers and once her business is off the ground, she now needs somewhere to store all the champagne that has been made. She starts excavating under the dump in the caves in Reims. She purchased 120 limestone and chalk pits, called crayeres which were carved underneath 12 miles of the city of Reims by Roman soldiers during their occupation of Gaul.

Soon France is involved in the Franco-Prussian war, after Napolean and his troops are captured, Prussian General Frederick Franz takes over her home and insists that she and the women in town serve his troops. She does, only to keep her champagne safe from them. Franz and his men are cruel but Madame soon is able to befriend him, although unwillingly. She will protect her winery at all costs.

Then her past lover proposes marriage but she turns him down as she has feelings for another. She struggles to make the champagne that she wants, dry champagne and not the surgery ones that England and France are used to.

This story is based on a true story of a woman who revolutionized the art of champagne making. Changing it to Brut champagne, she had opposition along the way, even from her own son. But she persevered and created a remarkable product for the world to enjoy!

I always love a good story about strong women and this is a good one. Great research, and great writing all make a great story!
I give it 5 stars.

I received a copy of the book for review purposes only.