It must have been a clever bit of marketing by the makers of champagne to become synonymous with celebrations. Just think, people reach for a bottle of the expensive bubbly stuff for the likes of birthdays and weddings, without ever really knowing why.

Well, it’s an old tradition, that many believe dates back as far as the 5th century, when champagne was used to celebrate the reign of King Clovis in France. It was a tradition that then carried through with all the French kings that followed, and then extended further to the people of France, and then the world.

This film is an origin story of sorts, of one of the most famous houses of Champagne –Veuve Clicquot.

In the process of mourning her husband François (Tom Sturridge) is Barbe Nicole (Haley Bennett). Not only does he leave behind a young daughter, but the family business of making champagne.

It is presumed by all the men in the company, including François’ father Philippe (Ben Miles), that Barbe will sell her control to the likes of her competitors, and live a quiet life elsewhere. Barbe, however has other ideas.

She very much shared the passion her husband had for growing, and is very keen on continuing, as the head of the company. But this is late 18th century France, with Napoleon in charge, and war raging, and a woman in charge of a company isn’t exactly embraced.

But Barbe is determined to make a go of it, make improvements to the product, and make her company one worth celebrating.

This is only the third feature to be directed by Thomas Napper, after spending 12 years as a 2nd unit director for Joe Wright.

It’s helped by the fact it’s a period drama, which is well within the wheelhouse of the British director, having worked on Joe Wright titles such as 2005’s Pride & Prejudice, 2007’s Atonement and 2012’s Anna Karenina.

And much like those films, it has a strong female lead, played here beautifully by US actress Bennett.

It has an almost royal theme to it, with the rise of a princess to queen, having to prove herself in a male dominated environ. Barb was well ahead of her time, with impressive entrepreneurial skills, that have kept the family business in good stead ever since.

It is a film that looks and feels like a British period film, which is its main criticism. It is very much a French story, and so to that end, it would have been preferred if it was told by a French director and French actors. After all, a French crew filming a British period drama in the UK with French-speaking actors probably wouldn’t go down all that well, so why should this? This then is a sort of prosecco version of events, which may not be exactly the real deal, but close enough.

That said, Napper does well for the most part, with at least the film shot on location in France, giving a certain amount of authenticity.

He gets some great performances from his cast, especially Bennett and Sam Riley, who plays champagne seller Louis Bohne.

But what serves in his favour the most is an extraordinary tale, that is equal measures intriguing and captivating, that is certainly told well, with the only exception perhaps, the director’s heavy reliance on flashbacks.

A fascinating, well-crafted tale then, celebrating an impressive female pioneer in a male dominated profession. We’ll drink to that.