Constance wine: Napoleon's beloved South African nectar

Key takeaway: Constance wine, a South African fortified wine produced since 1685, was Napoleon's daily comfort during his exile on Saint Helena. Its worldwide renown, acquired as early as the 18th century, rests on a unique balance between sugar and acidity, free from botrytis . A true viticultural icon, it continues to win prestigious awards . To discover this historic nectar, explore the Grand Constance .

Did you know that Napoleon's exile on Saint Helena had a sweet taste? Vin de Constance, this South African nectar, was much more than a simple comfort for the fallen emperor: it embodies a link between history, prestige, and winemaking expertise . Made from the Muscat de Frontignan grape, this sweet white wine from the Groot Constantia estate has stood the test of time. Ordered by Napoleon through Joseph Luson, it was even mentioned in his final moments. Once prized by European courts, this nectar combines sweet richness with freshness, proving that its legend endures far beyond history.

1. Napoleon and the wine of Constance
2. The Story of a Legend
3. A literary and cultural heritage
4. Production and valorization
5. Other historical figures
6. Constance wine, a South African winemaking treasure with a global destiny
7. Napoleon and Constance wine: the comfort of an emperor in exile
8. What is Constance wine? Characteristics and production method
9. The Renaissance and Legacy of Napoleon's Wine Today
10. Constance wine and Napoleon in brief

What connects an exiled emperor and a South African wine? Constance Napoleon wine has a rich, three-century history, intertwining diplomacy, exile, and a passion for winemaking. Discover why this sweet white wine from South Africa has become a legend through the ages .

Napoleon and the wine of Constance

Comfort in exile

On the island of Saint Helena, Napoleon found solace in this nectar. The emperor regularly enjoyed Grand Constance, a sweet white wine produced in Groot Constantia. With French wines forbidden, this South African wine became his preferred choice .

Wine distribution

Joseph Luson, representative of the East India Company, ensured the supply. This trade intensified after his marriage to Catharina Maria Cloete in 1817, strengthening the links between the wine estate and Napoleon's exile .

The Story of a Legend

Birth of a tradition

Founded over 330 years ago, Groot Constantia launched the South African wine industry . Muscat vines, originating from the Mediterranean, gave rise to this renowned sweet white wine as early as the 18th century.

A wine favored by kings

According to Hugh Johnson, Vin de Constance even surpassed the wines of Yquem, Tokay, and Madeira. European courts cherished it, preferring it to the great vintages of the time.

A literary and cultural heritage

References in the literature

This nectar has transcended eras, appearing in major works such as Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility and Charles Dickens' The Mystery of Edwin Drood , a symbol of comfort and luxury .

Archaeological discoveries

In 2004, a fragment of an 18th-century bottle was discovered in the United States. This discovery testifies to the early export of this Constance Napoléon wine to the colonies.

Production and valorization

cultivation process

Muscat grapes are harvested late to concentrate their sugar. This age-old process, combined with aging in oak barrels, creates the unique character of this sweet white wine .

Modern recognitions

Grand Constance has won numerous awards. The 2013 vintage received 98/100 at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards. Today, Klein Constantia continues this prestigious tradition .

Other historical figures

Famous figures who were followers

Besides Napoleon, this wine charmed personalities such as Horatio Nelson, who offered it to his guests, or members of the British aristocracy in the 19th century.

Constance wine, a South African winemaking treasure with a global destiny

The origins of the Constantia estate

In 1685, Simon van der Stel, the Dutch governor of the Cape, identified an ideal terroir for vines, nestled between the sun-drenched slopes of Table Mountain and the ocean breezes. One of the oldest vineyards producing South African wines , Groot Constantia quickly became the jewel of the colony thanks to its granite soil, temperate climate, and the Muscat de Frontignan grape variety. The first harvests, as early as 1709, showed early commercial potential with 5,630 liters produced, despite the agricultural challenges of the time. After his death in 1712, the estate was divided, giving rise to Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia, two pillars of South African viticulture .

The golden age of a wine prized by European courts

The wine of Constance was so renowned that it was preferred to the greatest sweet wines of Europe by royal courts, becoming a true symbol of prestige and refinement.

In the 18th century, the "Constantia Wyn" established itself as a diplomatic treasure.

• Frederick the Great , King of Prussia
• Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette at the French court
• George Washington, first president of the United States
• Jane Austen, who mentions it in "Sense and Sensibility"
• Charles Dickens and Baudelaire , who refer to it in their writings

Its renown stems from its exceptional sensory profile: aromas of peach, candied citrus, and rose, balanced by a lively acidity despite its 165 grams of sugar per liter. Aged for three years in oak barrels, this sweet wine embodies a traditional craft that blends terroir and expertise, enduring through the ages despite challenges such as powdery mildew (1859) and phylloxera (1866). Napoleon, supplied by Joseph Luson during his exile on Saint Helena, regularly requested it, according to documented accounts.

Napoleon and Constance wine: the comfort of an emperor in exile

An exile sweetened by the nectar of Constantia

Forced into exile on the island of Saint Helena after Waterloo, Napoleon Bonaparte found unexpected solace in Constance wine . This sweet white wine from South Africa, produced from Muscat grapes, replaced the French wines forbidden by the British blockade. Although teetotal, the emperor enjoyed sipping it, a ritual of reflection and melancholy.

Le Grand Constance, made from 100% Muscat de Frontignan grapes, harvested when fully ripe and free of botrytis, offered a rounded flavor blending notes of white peach and wild rose. This richness contrasted with the austerity of Longwood House, becoming a constant presence in his daily life. This choice, though constrained, reveals a little-known aspect of Napoleonic history .

Organizing deliveries in Saint Helena

To meet this demand, Joseph Luson, an agent of the English East India Company, orchestrated deliveries from Cape Town. As the sole purchaser of the Cloete family's stock, owners of the Groot Constantia estate, he ensured distribution to the entire French exile community. Married to Catharina Maria Cloete in 1817, Luson strengthened his ties with the vineyard, guaranteeing a regular supply .

These commercial exchanges reveal an unlikely connection between a fallen tyrant and a colonial vineyard. The Cloete winery, birthplace of this nectar, became an essential link in the daily life of a man who had claimed to dominate Europe. Each delivery embodied a fragile normalcy amidst a stifling captivity .

The Legend of the Last Will

Legend has it that in his final moments, the fallen Emperor refused all food, but accepted a glass of his favorite wine, Grand Constance, as a final comfort.

This anecdote, while not scientifically confirmed, symbolizes Napoleon's attachment to this beverage. More than a simple pleasure, Constance wine embodied a link to a bygone world, a sensory journey to a glorious past. On an island watched by his enemies, this nectar became a symbol of resilience .

Beyond Napoleon, this wine has spanned centuries, captivating Jane Austen, who mentioned it in Sense and Sensibility , Charles Baudelaire, and even Bismarck. Its production was also heroic: after a century of neglect due to phylloxera, the Klein Constantia estate revived it in 1986 thanks to Professor Chris Orffer's formula, earning worldwide awards .

What is Constance wine? Characteristics and production method

The profile of a unique sweet white wine

Vin de Constance is a sweet white wine produced in South Africa from the Muscat de Frontignan grape. Its pale gold color evolves to amber hues with age, revealing exceptional aging potential. The nose offers aromas of candied apricot, white peach, and citrus, enhanced by floral notes such as orange blossom and jasmine. On the palate, it combines sweet richness (up to 220 g/l of residual sugar) with lively acidity, creating a fresh and mineral balance . Unlike Sauternes, it does not use noble rot, giving it a unique style. Its long, spicy finish hints at its ability to age for decades. Recent vintages like 2021 display hints of orange marmalade and rosewater, further enhancing its aromatic complexity.

The winemaking method: an ancestral know-how

The production of Constance wine combines ancient traditions and modern techniques . It follows a demanding process:

• Late harvest: The grapes remain on the vines to concentrate the sugars, with a selection process in three passes to ensure bunches of varying ripeness. This natural drying, favored by the cool climate of the Constantia valley, allows for exceptional sugar levels .
• Rigorous hand-sorting : Each berry is inspected to keep only the perfect fruit, a legacy of 18th-century methods. This extreme care ensures the quality of the batches used for blending.
• Slow fermentation: Natural yeasts transform the sugars over several months without the addition of alcohol, stopping at 14-15% alcohol. This approach preserves the delicate aromas of the grape variety while maintaining the sweet structure.
• Extended aging : The wine rests for 3 to 4 years in French and Hungarian oak barrels, as well as in acacia casks. This maturation develops spicy notes of nutmeg and vanilla, while refining its silky texture. The combination of new and used oak brings complexity and balance.

This expertise, passed down since the 17th century, is combined with innovations such as temperature control of the barrels. To discover this nectar, modern Vin de Constance embodies this tradition while winning accolades, including Platinum at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards for its 2013 vintage.

The Renaissance and Legacy of Napoleon's Wine Today

From decline to resurrection

At the end of the 19th century, Constantia wine nearly disappeared. The phylloxera crisis, a devastating vine parasite, ravaged the Muscat vines in the Constantia region. Local political conflicts and international competition hastened its decline. However, a turning point occurred in the 1980s: the Klein Constantia estate revived the historic recipe. Muscat de Frontignan grapes, spared in ancient vineyards, made it possible to recreate this nectar. This revival marked a return to its former glory, breathing new life into this heritage treasure.

The iconic estates: Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia

Groot Constantia embodies the continuity of history. Founded in 1685, this estate produces "Grand Constance," a direct descendant of the wine presented to Napoleon. The still-active Cloete cellar holds the secrets of centuries-old winemaking. Meanwhile, Klein Constantia revived the legend in 1986. Under the guidance of Dougie Jooste, century-old vines were replanted. Today, the two estates vie for prestige: Klein Constantia's "Vin de Constance" and Groot Constantia's "Grand Constance" have garnered numerous international awards, including gold medals and rankings among the world's finest Muscats .

Wine lovers can explore the wines of the Groot Constantia estate , testaments to an unbroken tradition. These wines combine ancestral know-how with bold modernity, perpetuating the aura of a beverage once enjoyed by Napoleon, Frederick the Great, and Bismarck. The combination of high residual sugar (173 g/l) and vibrant acidity guarantees their exceptional aging potential , a reminder that this nectar was once a favorite of European courts.

Constance wine and Napoleon in brief

Constance wine, a sweet white wine from South Africa, has been produced from Muscat grapes since 1685. Celebrated in the 18th century, it captivated Napoleon during his exile on Saint Helena (1815-1821), as well as Frederick the Great and Queen Victoria.

Despite the embargo on French wines after 1815, Napoleon consumed it daily, appreciating its balance. Imported via the Cape by Joseph Luson, this vintage became a prestigious alternative .

After a decline in the 19th century due to phylloxera and unfavorable taxes, the Klein Constantia and Groot Constantia estates revived its production in the 1980s . This wine embodies a living heritage.

Key takeaways

Discover the Grand Constance , direct heir to Napoleon's vintage .

Constance wine embodies an oenological heritage born 330 years ago in Groot Constantia. Adored by Napoleon, revived by Klein Constantia, this award-winning treasure connects past and excellence . To savor it, Grand Constance embodies this legend .