Angelo Mariani or
Ange-François Mariani (1838
Pero-Casevecchie,
Haute-Corse – 1914) was a
French chemist, originally from the island of
Corsica. He is best known as the inventor of the first
cocawine,
Vin Mariani, in 1863. His contribution was to introduce the coca leaf indirectly to the general public. Mariani imported tons of coca leaves and used an extract from them in many products. It was Mariani's coca wine, though, that made him rich and famous. Mariani was also awarded with a medal of appreciation from
Pope Leo XIII. This tonic wine has been described as the ancestor of
Coca-Cola.