Cognac = Definition of a "Classic": It Never Goes Away!

Amy Cavanaugh 's post could not be more stereotyped of what I hear from people who like spirits, brown or clear, scotch, vodkas, and else, but knows nothing or very little about cognac.

Cognac Paradis Courvoisier 21 Connoisseur Collection

"Going into a cognac tasting at the Drawing Room last week, I didn’t know much about the grape-based spirit. I’m a brown spirits drinker, but my tastes usually run more toward bourbon and scotch, and I hadn’t ever had more than a nip of cognac here and there.

I blind tasted cognac against Irish whiskey, Scotch whiskey, rye, bourbon, and aged rum to taste the difference between grain and grape-based liquors. I found cognac heavier on the tongue, with a taste that lingered longer in my mouth than any of the other spirits did.

Cognac was originally used in mint juleps, sazeracs, and other classic cocktails that now feature bourbon and other spirits. It fell off the radar over the years, thanks in part to an insect attack that destroyed many French vineyards in the late 19th century. With the resurgence of interest in the classics, it’s starting to appear on more and more cocktail menus."

Cognac is a modern spirit because it is a classic, that means it never goes away and it is always trendy for the connoisseurs.  It is the traditional ingredient of prohibition cocktails and back in the trends today. It is made by  a long list of connected intermediaries and families, and it requires the utmost quality steps to be created. It is very exclusive and also sustainable from an environmental perspective - "liquid gold" some call it.

So do not get me wrong. I enjoy most types of spirits (with moderation). I only have favorites spirits for specific situations. I think cognacs are more elegant, subtle and clean than other spirits, but I am open minded. If I had to pick a second favorite spirits it would be eaux-de-vie for the variety of fruits that can be found. Otherwise, in second I would pick Calvados. I love crepes perhaps this is why.

http://chicagoist.com/2011/11/06/make_charles_jolys_cognac_cocktails.php

Source: Photo: Courvoisier Cognac

Why Is Cognac a Brandy of Choice?

Brandy is a broad overall category which includes all distilled products issued from fermented fruits. Hence, it includes sub-categories such as Armagnac, Calvados, Grapa, Pisco, Eau-de-Vie, ... but also 'Cognac'. Another sub-category is also brandy which is commonly known as an aged distilled grape wine. The problem with brandy as a sub-category is that often these brandies are the results of distillation of 'cheap' wines and therefore they produce less interesting distillates which are less regulated and protected and maybe manipulated in such a way to improve the original product. Such manipulations may enhance smoothness, taste and color by adding something to 'enhance'.

Some cultures and countries have a real tradition in making brandy of wines like Spain or Armenia. They both have a set of specific traditions in aging and producing but at the end they produce a much sweeter brandy than say French brandy.

French brandies (i.e. generic of wines) appear in a wide variety of quality levels with some being 'the run of the mill' and other being absolutely outstanding.

Germans have a strong reputation in making brandy covering a wide spectrum of quality products, but they are most generally famous for their quality eaux-de-vie. In Germany they do not call these brandies or eaux-de-vie but schnapps. The fruits most used for Schnapps are are apricot, apples, cherries, pears, and plums. In some situation, they use raspberries or rather they infused raspberries with rectified grape brandies because the raspberries produce a low yield of alcohol due to their low sugar content. In addition, a 100% raspberry brandy/schnapps will require too many fruits and would turn too expensive.

The concept behind eau-de-vie is to be a brandy which expresses the typicity of the fruits originally fermented. Hence, eaux-de-vie made of fermented apricots should taste and smell like concentrated apricots. Eaux-de-vie can but are therefore rarely aged for the sake of keeping the typicity of the fruits being used. Apple Jack are brandy made of fermented apples. In this situation, one would not want to age too much their apple jacks to keep the typicity of the apples.

Calvados is a geographic indication (issue related to trademark) and/or an 'appellation d'origine controllee' (issue related to French regulations) . In the case of Calvados, the apple expression is very much revealed in young Calvados whereas older Calvados become richer super-premium brandy like where the expression is to reveal complexity and facets, and where the apples characteristics fade away with time.

Consequently cognac is a brandy and more specifically a double distilled grape wine from Charentes, Deux Sevres and Vienne in compliance with the French regulated "appellation d'origine controlee".

What Makes Cognac Outstanding - A Perspective.

An interesting recent article from 'The Star online magazine' reports on Hennessy Cognac in Malaysia. I find this article pertinent as it reveals a set of perspectives on cognac which I believe explains what sets it apart from other types of spirits.

These characteristics are:

1) First it begins with the barrels. Made of French oak, specifically sourced from the forests of Limousin.

2) Light barrel toasting. When barrels are made they are burnt or rather fired inside to stimulate the chemical reaction with the contact of the spirits aging inside. The more you toast the bolder the smoky taste and the lesser other flavors will come out. There is a debate about toasting versus burning oak barrels. The difference is like when you prepare your breakfast and you have to set your brand new toaster (a) you do not know if 1 or 2 minutes will do and (b) everyone has a different preference in how much they like their bread to be toasted. An error of setting will get you to burn your toasts. Sometimes oak barrels are consciously burnt. cognac or armagnac's barrels are toasted, bourbon's oak barrels are for instance burnt. Try bourbon and you will see an overwhelming smoky taste because of that. Now, there is no good or bad, it is a question of tradition and choice.

3) Longer aging of eaux-de-vie. In general and by comparison cognac are aged longer. For instance, Tequilas are aged 5 years maximum. Why because a good tequila is about tasting the quality of the agaves being used to make it and with extended aging this goes away and it defeats the nature of this spirit.

4) Assemblage. I say assemblage rather than 'blending' as this term is being looked down as a way of getting ride of bad blends by mixing with good blends. Assemblage is more of a conscious type of selective blending - so I will say assemblage instead. And I insist cognac is about assemblage who ever is trying to tell you the opposite is wrong - period. "Single this" and "single that" is just inferior cognac but I agree the non-blended cognacs are more unique and why not trying them - but again this is not the nature of what cognac is about.

5) Factors like the weather, soil conditions and the timing of t he harvest. Terroir and tradition makes cognac a unique and original product.

6) Hence importance of the cellar. The cellar dryness and humidity dictate the smoothness and aromas. Higher humidity are favored.

7) Officially and/or unofficially endorsed by famous hip hop entertainers. Celebrities just do not drink eaux-de-vie or grapas, etc... That does not mean they are right.

8) I will add that cognac is the most expensive liquor. A bottle of cognac fetched 1 million yuan (US$156,740) at a recent auction in Shanghai, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, announcing the importance China will be taking in the market for the high-end liquors. This bottle was bought as a gift from a daughter to her father. It could happen to me, I have a daughter!

Source: Reference: http://tinyurl.com/7gjydx8
Source: Photo: http://www.gomoneyways.com/?p=43010

Remy Martin is Lowering the Price of its VSOP in Canada for the Holidays

The Record.com has just announced that Remy Martin has started discounting its cognacs in Canada to seize the opportunity of increasing sales during the end-of-the-year shopping season. VSOP Cognac has lowered its prices for the holidays. From now until the end of the year, both VSOP labels — the regular bottle and the limited edition glow-in-the-dark Urban Lights package are reduced by $15 a bottle, from $89.95 to $74.95.

Remy Martin VSOP uses the term “Fine Champagne” on most of its labels. Champagne in this context means “country,” from an old French "campagne" and it has nothing to do with the sparkling wine made with grapes from the north east of France. I maybe wrong but I strongly associate Remy Martin with "fine champagne" as far as I am concerned I give them credit for this concept.
The Fine Champagne is an "appellation d'origine controlee" AOC which describes a cognac made from the double distillation of  grapes exclusively coming from the Grande and Petite Champagne designated areas within the Cognac region.
Source:   http://tinyurl.com/7ub9co3

Cigar Aficionado is Honoring Pairing with Cognac

The  Big Smoke Las Vegas ended with the traditional partnering of cigars with spirits, this year with the time-honored pairing of smoke with Cognac.

Read more at:

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/16195

Philippe Coste, A Successful Career In the Cognac Region!

Since Bernard Guionnet passed away in April 2011, Philippe Coste, the President of Cognac Meukow is the new interim President of the Bureau National Interprofessionel du Cognac. In September 26th 2011, he was elected President of the Union of Cognac Houses [Syndicat des maisons de cognac (SMC)]. These 3 presidencies are remarkable levels of achievements as well as many difficult responsibilities to balance. Patrick Piana CEO of Cognac Rémy Martin will serve as vice-president of the SMC.
Cognac Meukow is part of the Compagnie de Guyenne. Philippe Coste is a very representative president as his company is made of 85 employees, and it is family owned and operated. 


Source: Photo: Cognac Meukow
Source: News: www.charentelibre.fr

House Hunters International in Search of a 'House of Cognac' for Comandon Cognac

While you may not know the Vignerons, you may have heard of Comandon Cognac. Franck Vigneron is the owner of Comandon Cognac. Home and Garden TV will air for the first time an episode of House Hunters International which shows the Vignerons looking for a home in Cognac to re-established the House of Comandon. The House Hunters International show is very popular and this is not the first time they show an episode in Cognac, but it will be the first time it presents a search for a "House of Cognac".  The show consists in a couple looking to relocate in a different country. In general, they show the current house where these people live, and then go along with the couple in the selected country to visit 3 different houses and eventually purchase one. The TV Show airs for the first time tomorrow evening.
HGTV, House Hunter International  --->  http://tinyurl.com/3ppe84x 
Episode Name: Historic Homes in France's Cognac Country
Episode Number: HHINT-2905H
First Time on TV: Thursday 10th November 2011.
 . Pacific and Eastern = 9:30pm and later at night at 12.30am
 . Central = 8.30pm and 11.30pm
 . Mountain = 7.30pm and 10.30pm

Château de Chanteloup is the Historic Residence of Jean Martell, Founder of the Cognac Company in 1715.

The Chateau of Chanteloup is an amazing castle in the North suburbs of the city of Cognac, surrounded by 147 hectares of vineyards.  This beautiful castle can be seen from a far distance from a flat plateau area in the Borderies region. It reminds me of old manors I had seen when I lived in Scotland but also the typical master homes you would find in Normandy. It makes me think in particular at the hunting lodge and horse breeding centers that one can find along the scenic roads of Normandy. In fact, it is all picture perfect for the Chateau of Chanteloups has it faces the Cognac Equestrian Center. I do not think this castle has a typical cognac architecture and style but rather anglo-saxon. Perhaps, it reflects the origin of the Martells who were British people coming from Jersey Island since this is known as the castle of Jean Martell, the founder of Cognac Martell in 1715. The chateau is used for many recreational activities by the Cognac Martell company now inthe hands of the Pernod-Ricard group. Some of these activities includes training and seminars of employees, distributors, ... A few weeks ago I was speaking with someone who manages this Chateau and I could not believe the amount of people and work that happens in this place.
The Chateau de Chanteloup is opened to the public, mostly in the summer, and it can be visited within very specific dates available from the Cognac tourism office [see, www.tourism-cognac.com].
Another option is to win a trip to this castle! The British newspaper The Telegraph offers its viewers to win a trip to Chateau de Chanteloup at this time.
[see, <A>http://tinyurl.com/cnfopja</A>]
Source Photo: www.telegraph.co.uk 

The 1800s Perhaps Had Lighter and Fruiter Cognacs

Cognacs were not always dark, heavy, and woody after-dinner sipping spirit says Tony  Sachs in his recent article from The Huffington Post on Food and Drink.

<A>www.huffingtonpost.com/tony-sachs/drinking-the-past-new-spi_b_1066859.html</A>

He particularly review and discuss Cognac Ferrand's latest addition "Pierre Ferrand Cognac 1840 Original Formula" which is blended as a replica of cognacs from the 1800s.  Ferrand focused on creating a lighter and fruitier cognac which is also meant to be mixed for the enjoyment of cocktails.

I cannot more agree with him but how can one change people's habits? I recently went to a cognac promotion in a large liquor store. I was amazed by the number of people who said that they liked brand X better and it was the best, and at the same time who admitted that they had never tried any other brands. Every time I wondered how would they know? It is like a person saying "I like pizza marguerita and it is the best" when they never had any other food in their life - how would they know. Cognac is like many other things in life, the more one knows the harder it becomes to have only a single favorite.

Learn - try - learn - even change your mind ... Personally, I like a lot of different cognacs for different reasons and perhaps for different times. There are some cognacs I can drink all the time and some other for special occasions. There are even a number of cognacs I keep for breaking my routines, I do not specifically like them but there are so different that they make a nice change in my classic cognac sets.

That reminds me. Who is the most famous woman in the world ...? [silence ...] I give you a tip she turned 125 years old last week.

Not sure! Another tip she is the symbol of freedom, liberty, equality, ... democracy, and of Amercia. Yes - that 's right - that is the Statue of Liberty in NY celebrated 125 years saluting the entry of New York harbor last week. She was a gift from France to participate in the centennial International Exhibition to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in summer 1876. The Statue of Liberty was design by Frederic August Bartholdi and engineered by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel who made himself famous by the tower he engineered in Paris soon after.

Feel free to experience your independence and try new cognacs. They may be not new to the world but new to you.

Photo: (c) 2011 Elcobbola, Wikimedia Commons.

Should Legislation Forbid Liquor-Related Messages in Lyrics?

Music industry and musicians are not making as much money as before because the music industry as significant changed since loosing revenues from selling records because of illegal downloading and sharing. So musicians are increasing their ties with branded goods. This phenomenon has significantly last June 2011 when the Majors (meaning the big production companies) decided to recover expenses from deals musicians used to be making directly from product placements and such. Hence, the current high level of appearances of big alcoholic brands in popular music is a consequence of strengthening ties between the alcohol companies and music industries. So much that a large number of celebrities have now launched their own brand of spirits. Nobody has been able to download a vodka yet and these businessmen/musicians are encouraged to find other streams of revenues. According to a recent study teens hear 34 liquor brands message a day in rap and hip-hop music since they listen to music on average 2 1/2 hours per day. The problem is that adolescent are increasingly having problems with abuse and addiction of alcoholic beverages and the lyrics from these songs may appear like underage advertising and share some responsibility with alcoholic related issues with teens.
see FOX NEWS for more details: http://tinyurl.com/3f5d22n
see ABC NEWS for more details: http://tinyurl.com/3ruvwnt

I hope the music industry takes a position on this matter before it is taken by legislation.

The Philippines is an Emerging Market for Cognac, Specially High-End Cognacs

The Philippines is becoming an important market for the largest cognac houses with many cognac events and promotions being organized in recent months. For instance, Remy Martin is organizing many upscale events and celebrations in Manila. In particular, with its Cognac Louis XIII they are getting a great deal of interest from the local well-to-do people.

The Philippines is a new emerging market for cognac where there is a lot of information and education that needs to be made. I note that in a recent article reporting on this subject of cognac in the Philippines that there may be some confusions still for what is cognac  "... One can rightfully say Louis XIII Grand Cognac is top of the line, for the true champagne connoisseur." By  Maurice Arcache, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Wednesday, October 26th, 2011.

It appears to me that there is a confusion between cognac and champagne, both are very prestigious and quality beverage appellations from France based on grape wines but ultimately they are two separate products that should not be associated beside perhaps in a cocktail [see French 75 cocktail]. Cognac should be more than a prestigious drink consumed for the purpose of conspicuous consumption. I strongly believe that education is key to reveal the facets of this spirit. This is the reason why it takes a long time for people to be interested in cognac as it takes a slow and involving relationship to  slowly acquire knowledge and experience with different spirits and to be able to compare and recognize the superiority of cognac.

Another recent connection between cognac and The Philippines has been Hennessy signing a multimillion- dollar agreement with the boxing legend Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao. [see: <a>http://tinyurl.com/3ejc3eu</a>]
Manny is the classic success story form the boxing and/or sport history. He is the kid of a large family with separated parents, he spent some times on the streets of Manila. He started a professional boxing career in 1995 when he was 16 years and became a local star boxing underweight in his weight category. What is the most amazing to me is that he has succeeded to be a world champion in four different weight classes. It is outstanding to be a world champion in just one class and I cannot imagine the sacrifices and dedication required to meet the different weights of the different classes! In addition, Manny is acting, creating music recordings, and more recently he entered in politics in The Philippines. In May 2010, Pacquiao was elected to the House of Representatives in the 15th Congress of the Philippines, representing the province of Sarangani where he is originally from.

This deal with Hennessy Cognac will not only serve the purpose of the brand in The Philippines but it will be carried into the other world markets where Mr. Pacquiao is an icon, but also through the positive image that this man carries through his successful endeavor in general.