The man we grew up reading about. A great war commander, counsel and later the emperor of France (1804 – 1814/15); Napoleon is one of the greatest figures of history. The man with a legendary stature had great choices and love for wines as well, here we will explore the connoisseur side of the great man.
Napoleon Bonaparte is known for his love for Chambertin wines. The monks in the Abbey of Bèze had been producing great quality wines in their Clos de Bèze in Gevrey; there peasant next door was also making some good wine. After his demise his lands were acquired by the monks and called it 'Champ de Bertin' (Bertin's field); which slowly changed to the famed name Chambertin.
Napoleon was enrolled in the Auxonne Artillery Academy, between 1788 and 1791; it’s said that this is where he cultivated the taste for Chambertin wines. It is said that he insisted that they be available to him even during his various military campaigns. It was the negociant Soupe et Pierrugues who ensured the availability to his homes and battlefield. Both of the merchants sons wouldtake turn to follow Nepoleon in his conquests and journeys to keep the wine available.
Chambertin specifically Gevrey Chambertin was the only still wine Napoleon drank during his reign as Emperor, "and he seldom drank it pure.", He apparently consumed half a bottle in every meal period, cut with some ice water. Some even say that he lost the battle of waterloo as he didn’t have the time to drink his wine.
Napoleon’s love for Champagne is well-known and he is alleged to have observed that: “In victory you deserve Champagne; in defeat you need it.”
He enjoyed champagne from Moët & Chandon Proof of this is in the archives of the Moët house which keeps the accounting records of the orders placed by him.
The very first order is in the name of Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of Paris on the date of August 15, 1801, the birthday of his 32 years, then another passed in 1803. A few months before the Battle of Austerlitz, at the beginning of September 1805, an order from the emperor was sent to Strasbourg and most probably a pre-planned order to celebrate a great moment in history.
Champagne was the main beverage of choice in his second marriage ceremony to Maria Ludovica Leopoldina Franziska Therese Josepha Lucia (aka Marie-Louise the Duchess of Parma). He served Champagne from the house of Jacquesson Fils on this auspicious day. Jacquesson Fils were decorated with a gold imperial medal which they proudly deploy to this day.
During his exile to Saint Helena in 1815 Napoleon’s health began to deteriorate and caused regular stomach pains, which meant that he could no longer enjoy his beloved Gevrey-Chambertin, and, on his doctor’s recommendation, he switched to drinking sweet ‘Vin de Constance’ from South Africa. It’s said he used to enjoy about a bottle of Vin de Constance every day. Records show that 100 liters per year were imported for his personal consumption, and it is reportedly all he could bear to imbibe on his deathbed in 1821.
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