‘France needs me more than I need France,’ said Napoleon Bonaparte. The self-assured emperor had very particular tastes in wine.
Text: Marjolein Schuman | Image: Jacques-Louis David
Whilst in exile on Saint Helena, he enjoyed drinking Vin de Constance, the sweet South African dessert wine produced by Klein Constantia (founded in 1685 by our very own Simon van der Stel). But his favourite red wine was ‘simply’ French – specifically Burgundy – with a particular fondness for the Chambertin vineyard, now a Grand Cru. Fittingly, it was powerful, well-structured and with a long finish, just like the man himself.
Funnily enough, he regularly diluted his wine with water to keep his consumption in check. When it came to sparkling wine, the Emperor of the French had a particular fondness for Moët & Chandon. The spectacular custom of opening champagne bottles with a sword, sabrage, is attributed to his time: Napoleon’s cavalry officers celebrated their victories abroad in this way.
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