KLEIN CONSTANTIA’S ICONIC VIN DE CONSTANCE BECOMES THE FIRST SOUTH AFRICAN WINE IN HISTORY TO JOIN THE BORDEAUX NÉGOCIANT MARKET
Internationally acclaimed South African wine estate Klein Constantia is pleased to announce that its unique flagship wine, Vin de Constance, will be distributed in the international market by three of the most prestigious Bordeaux négociant houses, namely CVBG (Compagnie des Vins de Bordeaux et de la Gironde), DUCLOT Export and Maison JOANNE.
The 2016 vintage of Vin de Constance will be available through the négociant houses from 1 September 2019 – a significant milestone for the team at Klein Constantia who recognise it as an opportunity to strengthen the international visibility of their extraordinary wine.
Vin de Constance is a resurrection of the legendary Constantia wine that was enjoyed by many of history’s great personalities, among them Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who found comfort in up to a bottle daily while exiled on the island of St Helena. Since its re-introduction in 1986, Vin de Constance has consistently appeared on lists of the world’s top wines, acclaimed not only for its historical importance but also for its unique style and quality.
“This new collaboration will further elevate its nobility”
says Hans Astrom, Managing Director of Klein Constantia.
“In order to perpetuate the heritage of this incomparable South African gold, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest sweet wines in the world, and to help it continue to live and grow for hundreds of years more, we have undertaken to seek constantly for appropriate, balanced improvements while preserving the incomparable style of the Vin de Constance,”
says Hubert de Boüard de Laforest, joint shareholder of Klein Constantia.
“We now pursue this strategy of excellence in partnership with the CVBG, DUCLOT and JOANNE négociant houses.”
The 2016 vintage of Vin de Constance will be available at the three négociants as of the 1st of September.
For more information contact: eve@kleinconstantia.com
Although production ceased during the mid-to-late 1800s, the legend lived on – immortalised in the poetry and prose of the great writers of the 18th and 19th centuries, from Austen to Dickens, from Dumas to Baudelaire. The wine also remained vibrantly alive – in old bottles discovered in some of Europe’s most famous cellars.
About Vin de Constance
In the 18th and 19th centuries “the sweet luscious and excellent wine of Constantia” was recognised as one of the great wines of the world, savoured by royalty and given pride of place in the cellars of the world’s greatest wine collectors.
In the 1980s, during the redevelopment of Klein Constantia Estate (a sub-division of the original Constantia estate granted to Cape commander Simon van der Stel in 1685), everyone involved was inspired to resurrect the legendary wine. Early records were studied and careful selection made from vines which, in all likelihood, came from the original stock used in Constantia 300 years ago.
Over a century since its disappearance came the renaissance – Vin de Constance – a wine made in the style of the old Constantia, from vineyards celebrated since the late 1600s.
About Bordeaux negociant houses
CVBG : A major Fine Wine house renowned for its unparalleled distribution network, state of the art warehousing, and cutting-edge information system, CVBG is committed to bringing added value and innovation to its loyal customers and the estates that entrusted it with their wines.
Contact Mathieu Chadronnier : mathieu.chadronnier@cvbg.com / www.cvbg.com
DUCLOT : A major distributor of top wines since 1886, the Duclot Group owns a stock of several million bottles and large formats. Duclot belongs to the Moueix family, owners of Petrus in Pomerol via their holding company Videlot.
Contact Thibault Lacoste : tlacoste@duclot.fr / www.duclot.com
JOANNE : As export leader with a stock of several million bottles of Fine Wines, Maison Joanne has developed a vast worldwide network of distributors, carefully chosen for their ability to ensure optimal promotion of each and every wine. Founded in 1862, Joanne remains family owned and is run by the 6th generation of the Castéja family.
Contact Florence Lasserre : florence.lasserre@joanne.fr / www.joanne.fr
