3 original anecdotes about Bordeaux wines

The reputation of Bordeaux wines is already well established...

However, we're willing to bet that we can still teach you a few things about them! For instance, did you know that a Bordeaux vintage played a role in the success of Coca-Cola?

TOP 3 ANECDOTES ABOUT BORDEAUX WINES

Here are three anecdotes you might not know about Bordeaux wines.

A Bordeaux Wine Gains Fame Thanks to... a Japanese Manga!

Once upon a time, there was a Château in Bordeaux called Château le Puy, managed by winemaker Jean-Pierre Amoreau. In 2003, Jean-Pierre Amoreau produced a red wine vintage, which he considered to be of modest interest due to the severe drought that year. However, in 2009, the fate of Château le Puy took a surprising turn. In an interview with the French newspaper Libération, Amoreau recounted how his order volume suddenly increased significantly, from 5 or 6 orders per week to about 100. The reason for this sudden and unexpected success? A Japanese manga titled The Drops of God tells the story of a winemaker father who bequeaths his wine collection to his children, asking them to solve puzzles, one of which is titled The Drops of God. This somewhat mystical title actually refers to the 2003 vintage of Château le Puy! It was a jackpot for Jean-Pierre Amoreau: the manga became a huge hit, and the vintage became famous in Japan and the United States. This could have been a goldmine for Château le Puy. But Amoreau, who thought it unfair not to benefit his local customers, sold the vintage for 18 euros, just 3 euros more than its original price.

The Ancestor of Coca-Cola Was Born Near Bordeaux Vineyards

You might think that Coca-Cola is a 100% American invention, but that’s not entirely true! Its creator, John S. Pemberton, was indeed American and launched the famous drink in Atlanta. However, Pemberton was also a pharmacist, which is a key detail, as he drew inspiration from a French medicinal drink recipe to create Coca-Cola. Made from coca leaves and kola nuts (the fruit of the kola tree, native to West African forests, used to combat fatigue and improve alertness), the remedy was mixed with Bordeaux wine. This concoction was invented by Corsican-born chemist Angelo Mariani in 1863. Pemberton was inspired by this recipe to create what remains one of the world’s most famous beverages today!

Château Mouton-Rothschild Grand Crus in Moldova!

If you ever find yourself in Moldova, be sure to visit the Cricova cellars. Located just a few kilometers from the capital, Chișinău, they are among the largest wine cellars in the world. A true treasure trove, they house an invaluable collection: Bordeaux grands crus from Château Mouton Rothschild dating back to 1936! How did these bottles end up in Moldova? The story dates back to World War II when Nazi German officer Hermann Göring looted France’s most prestigious cellars to seize the grands crus. According to an investigation published in L’Express in 2012, the bottles were found in the city of Königsberg (now Kaliningrad) in 1941, before being sent to Moldova in 1947, first to a house in the city center, and then to the Cricova cellars a few years later. Other Bordeaux grands crus from Göring's collection (which included a total of 455 bottles of French wines) are also believed to be stored in the Cricova cellars.

FAQ - Bordeaux wines

Which Bordeaux wine became famous thanks to a Japanese manga?

The 2003 vintage of Château le Puy, in Bordeaux. The manga The Drops of God featured it as its mystery wine, which caused the estate's orders to soar in Japan and the United States from 2009 onward.

What is the link between Coca-Cola and Bordeaux wine?

Pharmacist John S. Pemberton drew inspiration from a French tonic, Vin Mariani, to create Coca-Cola in Atlanta. That drink combined coca leaves, kola nuts and Bordeaux wine.

Who was Angelo Mariani?

Angelo Mariani was a Corsican-born chemist. In 1863 he created a medicinal drink made from Bordeaux wine, coca leaves and kola nuts, marketed as a remedy against fatigue.

Why are Bordeaux grands crus found in Moldova?

The Cricova cellars, near Chișinău, hold 1936 Château Mouton Rothschild bottles from the collection looted by Hermann Göring during World War II. Found in Königsberg in 1941, they reached Moldova in 1947.

What is the manga The Drops of God?

It is a Japanese manga telling the story of a winemaker father who bequeaths his wine collection to his children, provided they solve a series of puzzles. One of them points to the 2003 vintage of Château le Puy.