During the summer of 2010 divers discovered unique bottles of champagne in a shipwreck in the Åland archipelago. Following a successful salvage operation, it was clear that the discovery consisted of the world's oldest champagne of the labels Veuve Clicquot, Juglar and Heidsieck. The Government of Åland, which owns the bottles, has decided that two of these bottles will be sold at an exclusive champagne auction to be held in Mariehamn, Åland, on Friday, June 3rd, 2011.

The name of the sunken vessel is still unknown, as is its destination, but it has been speculated that the cargo was bound for the Russian Tsar's court in St Petersburg. According to experts, this is champagne from the first half of the 1800s. The bottles from the wreck have therefore not only a great story to tell, there is also the matter of the world's oldest champagne being put up for auction.

A total of 145 bottles of champagne were salvaged. The majority of bottles found, 95, were produced by the now defunct champagne house of Juglar, on whose land the manufacturer Jacquesson today produces champagne. The number of bottles from the champagne house of Veuve Clicquot is 46. Of the Heidsieck label, four bottles of champagne have been recovered.

Auction Result/Press Release

Auction Details
Auction Result/Press Release

WHERE: Alandica Culture and Congress Center, Mariehamn, Åland
WHEN: Friday, June 3rd, 2011
TIME: 8am New York Time / 3pm Local Åland Time / 8pm Hong Kong Time

It is Acker's great privilege to co-host with the Government of Åland, an autonomous region of Finland, a historic auction featuring two single bottles from the legendary Champagne houses, Veuve Clicquot and Juglar, that have been under water for nearly two centuries. These extraordinary bottles were salvaged from an ancient shipwreck in July of last year in the Åland archipelago. Also in the sale are 15 unique lots direct from Veuve Cliquot's cellars.

World renowned Champagne expert Richard Juhlin, who will be attending the auction, tasted some of the bottles last year and Upon first sip, Richard exclaimed, "Great! Wonderful!" After a brief pause, he continued, "I think what strikes you the most is that it's such an intense aroma. It's so different from anything you've tasted before." He noted that the Juglar was “more intense and powerful, mushroomy” whilst the Veuve-Clicquot has notes of “linden blossoms and lime peels.” He called the auction "one of the great moments in the world of wine."

Submit your bids now, for your chance to own a piece of history and the oldest champagne for sale: The Tsar's Treasure.

ACKER MERRALL & CONDIT SETS YET ANOTHER WORLD RECORD WITH ANCIENT SHIPWRECKED CHAMPAGNE

Sells Two of the World’s Oldest Bottles of Champagne for a combined US$78,534

Bottle of Veuve Clicquot Sets New World Record at $43,630

Asia Bests America in Europe, Epitomizing the Globalization of the Fine Wine Market

MARIEHAMN, ALAND June 3, 2011 – Acker Merrall & Condit, the world’s premier wine auction house, announced today that it surpassed the world auction record for a bottle of Champagne, selling a bottle of shipwrecked Veuve Clicquot for $43,630. The landmark sale took place today in Mariehamn, Åland, where Acker Merrall auctioned two of the world’s oldest bottles of Champagne salvaged last year from a 19th century shipwreck off the Åland Islands, along with 15 special lots direct from Veuve Cliquot's cellars.

In a most exciting climax, an anonymous internet bidder from Singapore outdueled an American phone bidder, Robert A. Rosania, legendary Champagne collector and American real estate entrepreneur. When asked about the epic battle for both lots of shipwrecked Champagne, Rosania commented, “I’ll be back.” Ironically, Rosania held the previous record set in 2008, that time as a seller, when bottles of 1959 Dom Perignon from his collection sold for $42,350 each.

“We are overjoyed by today’s outcome,” said John Kapon, CEO of Acker Merrall & Condit. “We felt privileged to work with the Government of Åland to produce this unprecedented sale. Today proved to be one of the most historic and exhilarating events in the world of wine. To have America and Asia battling it out here in Europe, setting a new world record, is a testament to the globalization of the fine wine market, and this is only the beginning. What was equally amazing was the fact that the sale took place in Aland, an incredibly beautiful yet remote region of the world. It just goes to show that the most discerning and passionate collectors will go wherever it takes to acquire the world’s greatest wines.”

“This sends out a strong message that the oldest and rarest drinkable champagne is sol d in Åland. We are also happy that the financial surplus that is generated by the sale of the Champagne bottles will go to charitable causes, such as environmental measures for improving the quality of water in the seas,” said departmental head Rainer Juslin of the Åland Government.

Acker Merrall’s next and final auction of the season will be held in the Hamptons in New York on June 25th.

About the Aland Champagne Discovery

In July 2010, divers discovered unique bottles of Champagne in a shipwreck off the Åland Islands of Finland, at the mouth of the Baltic Sea. Having survived nearly two centuries at the bottom of the Baltic Sea, the contents of the bottles are extremely well preserved. Following a successful salvage operation of 145 bottles, it was found the bounty included some of the world's oldest Champagnes, wines from the famed houses of Veuve Clicquot, Juglar, and Heidsieck.

Absentee Bidding

If you cannot attend this auction in person, the Absentee Bid form allows you to place bids prior to the auction that will be executed ‘live’ at the sale on your behalf. Absentee bids are a client's instruction directing Acker Merrall & Condit to bid on one or more lots up to the maximum amount the client has specified for each lot. We can also arrange for you to bid live at the auction via telephone. Please fill out the below bid form, enter the lot numbers and maximum amounts you wish to bid for each lot. If a phone bid, indicate phone and leave the number you would like to be called on. It is always prudent to leave backup bids in case we cannot connect on the phone. Please make sure all bids correspond with our approved bid increments, as listed separately on the site.

Bid Live Over the Internet

You can bid live over the internet from anywhere in the world. You can see, hear and bid live, in real-time, online by pre-registering at www.ackerwines.com/bidlive. If you have not registered with us before please click the ‘Register Now’ link and fill in and submit the required information. If you have already registered, in order to load the live webcast, click the blinking red text that reads, “Enter Auction!" Bidders may login to the website as early as 11am, local time, to view and hear the lectures and announcements before the start of the actual sale at 3pm. When the webcast loads, please turn your volume controls on and enjoy the auction.

Bid Live in the Room

If you will be at the auction in person, please fill out the appropriate registration form, and we will see you in person in Aland! If you are an existing client, there is no need to fill out a form unless there is information to update. You can send us an email at info@ackerwines.com

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