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Shipwreck Champagne to go under the hammer
Two of the world’s oldest bottles of Champagne that were salvaged from a shipwreck last year are to be auctioned in the Åland archipelago in Finland on 3 June.
As many as 145 bottles of Champagne were rescued from a wreck discovered in the southern part of Åland’s outer archipelago in the Baltic sea between Sweden and Finland in the summer of 2010.
The bottles were from Veuve Clicquot, Heidsieck (today owned by Vranken Pommery Monopole) and the now defunct house of Juglar – which once owned vineyards currently under Jacquesson’s control. The two bottles going under the hammer are from Veuve Clicquot and Juglar.
The Champagnes, which date from the early 1840s, are thought to be the oldest Champagnes for sale in existence, and will be auctioned by Acker Merrall & Condit.
“There are few truly historic events in the world of wine, but this is one,” said John Kapon, CEO of Acker Merrall & Condit. “Having survived nearly two centuries, these amazing bottles of vintage Champagne are without precedent, and it is our enormous privilege to partner with the government of Åland in presenting these unique wines to the world.”
After so many years on the seabed the contents of the bottles are said to be extremely well preserved.
The constant temperature and low light levels have provided optimal conditions for storage, and the pressure in the bottles has prevented seawater from seeping in through the corks.
Patrick Schmitt, 28.04.2011