The Champagne Wreck of the Baltic Sea
Frequently asked questions with answers
When was the wreck found?
In the beginning of July 2010 a group of divers from Åland and Sweden found a previously unknown shipwreck at a depth of approximately 50 meters in the southern part of Åland's outer archipelago. Åland form an archipelago in the Baltic Sea and is an autonomous region of Finland.
How was the wreck found?
Before diving, the seabed was scanned using a sidescan echo locator, revealing a both clear and exciting image of a vessel standing on its keel with its two unbroken masts pointing up toward the surface.
What do we know about the shipwreck?
The shipwreck is of a carvel-built, two-masted schooner with a circa 21.5 metre long and 6.5 metre broad hull. The technical details and artefacts found onboard allow the ship to be dated to the beginning of the 1800s. No archive references to the ships origin or sinking have yet been found. The ship was most likely wrecked when she had come in to the old sea-lane leading from the Åland Sea to the island of Björkör. The final destination for the cargo of champagne is unknown – it can have been destined for some trading house, or even the imperial court at St Petersburg.
What finds have been made?
A number of champagne bottles and beer bottles, as well as some porcelain and other artefacts. Amongst the finds in the wreck were several plates, manufactured by the well-known Rörstrands porcelain factory during the period 1780-1830.
How many bottles have been found?
Five bottles of beer and 145 bottles containing champagne have been found.
How old is the champagne?
The champagne is believed to be from the first half of the 1800s.
What is the quality of the champagne?
Most bottles are intact and in good shape. 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. According to leading champagne experts the champagnes were very high-class and exclusive when made and are today absolutely unique in the world.
Who owns the wreck and the champagne?
The sunken ship is an ancient monument and the cargo belongs to the Government of Åland.
How much are the bottles worth?
It is too early to say, but the Government of Åland plan to auction some of the bottles. According to leading champagne experts the starting price at such an auction could well be in the tens of thousands of euros per bottle.
Is it possible to visit the location of the wreck?
It is possible to visit the place, but diving to the wreck is prohibited.
What will happen to the bottles?
Some of the champagne bottles will be kept for museum purposes, while a few will be auctioned. The liquid in the beer bottles will be analyzed and the goal is to recreate the original recipe for modern industrial production.
What does this find mean for Åland?
This is an exciting story and very positive for Åland. We hope to be able to make use of the find of champagne and beer in many different ways. We believe that this find will increase people’s interest for Åland and attract more visitors to these islands.
Please contact:
Ålands landskapsregering, Museibyrån PB 1060 AX-22111 Mariehamn, Åland, Finland
tfn +358 18 25 000 fax +358 18 17440
www.museum.ax