Producer
Klein Constantia
Vin de Constance is one of the world's greatest secret vinous treasures. For many years, it hadbeen sought after by kings, was the drink of preference for Napoleon (and was his last drink before he died on St. Helena), recommended by Jane Austen ‘to mend a broken heart' and was more in demandthan Yquem, Tokaji and Madeira. Yet phylloxera, the wine world's ‘black plague', came in the late19th century and struck down its priz...Read more
Vin de Constance is one of the world's greatest secret vinous treasures. For many years, it hadbeen sought after by kings, was the drink of preference for Napoleon (and was his last drink before he died on St. Helena), recommended by Jane Austen ‘to mend a broken heart' and was more in demandthan Yquem, Tokaji and Madeira. Yet phylloxera, the wine world's ‘black plague', came in the late19th century and struck down its prized vineyards like it did across the most exclusive addresses in Europe. Despite its long existence (since 1685), unlike Europe, its vineyards were not replanted until the 1980s. Several decades ago, new owners revived the original viticultural areas by planting only the best Muscat de Frontignan grapes (aka Muscat à Petits Grains, the original variety) to began remaking this unusual and inspirational wine. Their efforts have been a hands down success.Read less
