On June 8, the Aland Island government will auction off 11 bottles of the famous 1800’s Champagne that had been submerged in the 1800’s. This June 11 bottles of this 1800’s wine is being auctioned at the Alandica Congress & Conference Center in Mariehamn, Åland, Finland. The government plans to keep two bottles for museum purposes. More information about the auction is available online.

In 2010 divers near Aland Islands off the coast of Finland located a shipwreck at the mouth of the Baltic Sea. After being thoroughly examined and recorked, these bottles are estimated to have been produced during the first half of the 19^th century. The Champagne was from several wineries including Veuve Clicquot, Heidsieck and Juglar.

In 2011, a bottle of 1841 Veuve Clicquot from this recovered collection was auctioned for 30,000 Euros. Funds raised for these 11 Champagne bottles will benefit archaeological work and the Baltic Sea environment. To find out more about the finding of this phenomenal shipwreck discovery visit the Aland website.

Cheers! Kathy