100 Bottles of Long-Lost Champagne Discovered in 19th Century Shipwreck off the Coast of Sweden

(Photos: Baltictech)

On July 11, divers exploring the depths of the Baltic Sea reported the discovery of a 19th century shipwreck brimming with champagne, porcelain and mineral water believed to have been delivered at the behest of a Russian emperor.

The Baltictech Association reports that divers Marek Cacaj and Pawel Truszynsk happened upon sonar of a submerged sailing ship while returning from an expedition off the coast of Sweden. The two descended 190 feet below the surface to explore the find. Staff aboard the barge say that the pair were gone for nearly two hours.

They returned with images of luxury loot covered in barnacles, moss and decaying wood fragments. Strewn among the wreckage was a reported 100 bottles of Champagne alongside an estimated 100 sealed ceramic bottles containing mineral water. Historians believe that the goods were produced sometime between 1850 and 1867; based on markings, the ship may have been destined for Alexander II Tsar, the emperor of Russia, before his death in 1881.

Though the champagne rivals some of the oldest vintages on record, mineral water may have been the more valuable commodity at the time of the ship’s destruction. Once teated as a medical innovation fit only for royalty, Baltictech claims that mineral water’s value was so precious that “transports were escorted by police.”

Selters, the German company behind the water, is still open to this day, as is the pottery factory in which the bottles were produced. As for the champagne, its origin can only be identified by the letter “R” seen on one cork. Divers believe that the sparkling wine was produced by Louis Roederer, also still in business.

In conversation with The New York Times, Finnish champagne expert Essi Avellan remarked of the bottles:

“I wouldn’t call them pleasurable drinks. But, of course, it’s like drinking history […] It would probably taste more youthful than a wine that had been aging at the winery.”

The fate of the wreckage — and whatever other secrets it may hold — is now left in the hands of authorities. Baltictech says that the discovery was reported to the Maris Foundation, Södertörn University and Professor Johan Rönnby, all of whom collectively oversee the legality of underwater research in Sweden.

Reportedly one of the three largest technical diving conferences in the world, the Baltictech Association describes itself as “a group of divers who actively promote the Baltic Sea as the most interesting wreck dive site in the world.” From the looks of its latest find, they won’t have much difficult advocating for its cause in the future.

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