You might know this but anytime you sip on golden nectar (okay fine, champagne), you owe a toast to a woman named Madame Clicquot who quite simply, saved the industry in the 1800s. With Veuve Cliquot (interestingly, it translate from French to widow Cliquot), Madame Cliquot steamlined the process of making champagne which in turn, made production faster. More bubbles, more cheer.

To explain it simply, grapes are harvested and pressed before undergoing primary fermentation and then, blended together with sugar added to jumpstart a second fermentation process. The latter, produces bubbles but in turn, leaves behind dead yeast cells called lees which renders the wine cloudy. Champagne makers would then pour the champagne from one bottle into another (think about the waste, folks) but Madame Cliquot devised something called a riddling rack: a rack that well, stored bottles at an angle which allowed the lees to collect in a cap over time.

And yes, it is still being used today. But for now, let’s talk about the Veuve Cliquot and Yayoi Kusama collaboration and the end product: Kusama’s rendition of the La Grande Dame 2012.

While Madame Cliquot created the first recorded vintage in 1811 titled “The Year Of the Comet” (a reference to the great comet that burned in the sky in 1811), the La Grande Dame 2012 is interesting not because of its age. It is interesting because of its make. The prestige cuvée is almost entirely made with Pinot Noir, with just 10% Chardonnay added to the blend to bring a fresh crispness to it. If you’re still not impressed, the manufacturing process of Pinot Noir requires some steady hands and mental acuity as the grapes itself are fragile and delicate.

As for what makes it even more impressive, the bottles comes decorated with Kusama’s iconic patterns: flowers and polka dots. A sort of trophy status symbol bottle if you will.

The La Grande Dame 2012 however, comes in limited quantities but more importantly, the House recommends you to pair it with vegetables. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, top them off with quail, skate wing or sea urchin. Cheers ot that.