Divers dig up buried champagne
Source: Agencies |
July 19, 2010, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
DIVERS have discovered what is thought to be the world's oldest drinkable champagne in a shipwreck in the Baltic Sea. They tasted one bottle they brought up so far before they even got back to shore.
Diving instructor Christian Ekstrom said the bottles are believed to be from the 1780s and likely were part of a cargo destined for Russia.
The nationality of the sunken ship has not yet been determined.
"We brought up the bottle to be able to establish how old the wreck was," Ekstrom said. "We didn't know it would be champagne. We thought it was wine or something."
Ekstrom said the divers were overjoyed when they popped the cork on their boat after hauling the bubbly from a depth of 60 meters. "It tasted fantastic. It was a very sweet champagne, with a tobacco taste and oak," he said.
The divers discovered the shipwreck last Tuesday near the Aland Islands, between Sweden and Finland.
About 30 bottles are believed to be aboard the sunken vessel.
Ekstrom said he is confident of the champagne's age and authenticity, but samples have been sent to laboratories in France for testing. "We're 98 percent sure already because of the bottle (we found)," he said.
Swedish wine expert Carl-Jan Granqvist said each bottle could fetch 50,000 euros (US$68,000) if the corks are intact and the sparkling drink is genuine and drinkable.
Diving instructor Christian Ekstrom said the bottles are believed to be from the 1780s and likely were part of a cargo destined for Russia.
The nationality of the sunken ship has not yet been determined.
"We brought up the bottle to be able to establish how old the wreck was," Ekstrom said. "We didn't know it would be champagne. We thought it was wine or something."
Ekstrom said the divers were overjoyed when they popped the cork on their boat after hauling the bubbly from a depth of 60 meters. "It tasted fantastic. It was a very sweet champagne, with a tobacco taste and oak," he said.
The divers discovered the shipwreck last Tuesday near the Aland Islands, between Sweden and Finland.
About 30 bottles are believed to be aboard the sunken vessel.
Ekstrom said he is confident of the champagne's age and authenticity, but samples have been sent to laboratories in France for testing. "We're 98 percent sure already because of the bottle (we found)," he said.
Swedish wine expert Carl-Jan Granqvist said each bottle could fetch 50,000 euros (US$68,000) if the corks are intact and the sparkling drink is genuine and drinkable.
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