PRESS RELEASE
Mariehamn 17th of November 2010
Unique Champagne Bottles to be Auctioned off on Åland
Some of the world’s oldest bottles of champagne are to be auctioned off, as decided by the owner of the champagne, the Åland Government. The 168 bottles were salvaged this summer from a shipwreck in Åland’s archipelago. How many bottles that will be auctioned off has not yet been announced, but the value of the champagne has been assessed by experts to be among the highest on the market.
Up until now it has not been clear on what would become of the coveted bottles, but now the Åland government has decided that their ambition is to auction the champagne.
– We intend to auction off the bottles at a reoccurring international wine auction that will be held here on Åland, says Britt Lundberg, Vice Chairman in the Åland Government
It was in mid-July that Alandic divers discovered an almost 200-year-old shipwreck in the Åland archipelago. Further diving expeditions to the ship led to the discovery of 168 bottles of champagne. All bottles are not completely intact, but most of them are in good condition. According to experts the champagne is from the 1830s, but it is possible that there are even older bottles among the 168 that were salvaged.
Some of the bottles originate from the well known champagne house Veuve Clicquot Other champagne was produced from the now closed champagne house of Juglar – today the producer Jacquesson produces champagne on the old Juglar lands.
One of the world’s leading champagne experts, Richard Juhlin, tasted a first sample of the champagne to give his professional opinion on stage in Mariehamn in front of global media. Despite almost 200 years at the bottom of the sea, the champagne was in excellent condition, courtesy of the Baltic Sea’s unique preservation capabilities.
– It’s exclusive champagne of high class that has been brought up from the depths of the sea. The two different types have a nice freshness and good length in the mouth in common, says Richard Juhlin.
Although extensive investigations have been conducted, it has not yet been possible to determine the origin of the shipwreck or its exact age. What is known is that it is a schooner and that the ship was sunk in the early 1800s. Further dives to the wreck are scheduled for next summer.
For further information contact the Permanent Secretary of the Åland Government's Departement for Education and Culture, Rainer Juslin: +358 (0)18 25230 or +358 (0)457 547 1338, rainer.juslin@regeringen.ax, and also the Åland Government's Head of Communications Björn Häggblom: +358 (0)18 25143 or +358 (0)50 547 0951, bjorn.haggblom@regeringen.ax
Press release Nov 17th 2010 as Word Doc