What could young Napoleon Bonaparte have known about fine wines, growing up in Corsica, where only cheap local wine was produced at the time? Of course, not much. Later, when he moved to Paris, he began to socialize and noticed that champagne was widely consumed in high society. Not knowing any other wines, he followed the trend and drank champagne as well.
However, years of military campaigns and a strenuous lifestyle took a toll on his health. According to accounts, he developed stomach acidity, and his doctor forbade him from drinking champagne. Since he was unfamiliar with other wines, he abstained from alcohol altogether.
During one of his military campaigns, when Napoleon, as he often did, was dining by the campfire with his soldiers, a grenadier offered him a glass of wine. Napoleon politely declined, citing his health issues. However, the grenadier replied, “My general, this is Chambertin!” Napoleon then decided to taste the wine and, to his surprise, experienced no discomfort. He enjoyed the wine, and from that moment on, it became his favorite.
This soldier, Claude Noisot, came from the village of Fixin, near Gevrey-Chambertin. His parents owned vineyards in Gevrey-Chambertin and occasionally sent bottles of wine to their son at the front. It was one of these bottles that Noisot offered Napoleon that evening.
Later, as a token of gratitude for his loyal service, Napoleon gifted Claude Noisot several vineyards in his home village. One of them was named after his illustrious patron. Noisot became not only Napoleon’s aide-de-camp but also his personal cupbearer, remaining loyal to the emperor even during his exile on Saint Helena.