Filled With Hundreds Of Champagne Bottles Have Been Found At The Bottom Of The Baltic Sea
The remains of a 170-year-old ship filled with the best European champagne and mineral water have been found at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. The discovery was made by Polish divers 37 kilometers south of the Swedish island of Eland.
They also found jugs of mineral water on board, which was prized among the European elite at the time
A team of divers from Poland discovered the shipwreck earlier this month. The ship was “literally full” of champagne bottles, mineral water and porcelain.
Champagne wreck
Divers counted about 100 bottles of champagne in the hold of the ship. But, according to them, there could be more bottles.
Presumably, this is Louis Roederer champagne, which was on its way to the imperial Russian court. In the 19th century, Louis Roederer was beloved in Russia and, starting in 1876, the champagne house even produced a special alcoholic beverage for Alexander II. However, more research is needed for confirmation.
Interestingly, this is far from the first time divers have found ancient alcohol at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. In 2019, divers from a company that “rescues alcohol from shipwrecks” brought to the surface almost 1,000 bottles that had lain on the bottom for a hundred years.
However, it is not clear how safe it is to consume such alcohol.
Mineral water in clay jugs
Although champagne has clearly attracted more attention, the mineral water in the shipwreck has no less historical significance. In the 19th century, it was prized for its medicinal properties and became a fashionable drink among the European elite.
The sealed clay bottles that held the water provided an important clue to the history of the ship. The shape of the stamp on the bottles indicates that they were produced between 1850 and 1867 by the German company Selters, known for its natural mineral water from the Taunus Mountains north of Frankfurt.
In addition, the porcelain on board the ship was produced by a ceramic factory that still exists. The team has already contacted the company to find out more information about the found cargo.
Source: Filled With Hundreds Of Champagne Bottles Have Been Found At The Bottom Of The Baltic Sea
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