The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction recently hosted one of the most extravagant bids in history. Known for being one of the world’s five major wine auctions, however, extravagant bids are not surprising.

Within the walls of the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch this past weekend, history and wine became intertwined. Particularly that of French history.

A bottle of wine up stood for auction, yet it was no ordinary 19th-century bottle. The bottle you see was originally reserved and destined for Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

It is one of only 12 (that are known) to still exist globally as part of the Napoleon-destined allocation.

In seeking a bottle of opulent history, bidders and private buyers alike were willing to pay grand prices for the Grand Constance 1821.

Behold the Bottle

Eventually, Grand Constance’s original French destination has now been changed to the UK as she was acquired by a UK-based client. The client was said to be from the auction house of Christies’ as per News24. 

It cost R420 000. 

Picture: Cape Fine Rare Wine

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