Friday, December 21, 2012

JAY-Z VIDEO IN MIAMI LAUNCHING COGNAC D'USSE


[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/55472532 w=500&h=281]
Sunday, December 9th - Jay-Z hosted his official D’USSÉ Cognac launch party at LIV Nightclub on South Beach. D’USSÉ is Jay Z’s joint venture with spirit giant Bacardi.
Once again, Jay-Z and Barcardi turn to trusted party promoter Michael Gardner, CEO of Headliner Market Group for his magnetic appeal to key influencers in South Florida; for the unveiling of the highly anticipated “ bold new expression of cognac”, DUSSÉ. Miami will be a key market for the brand launch and its on-going distribution. Continue to follow Headliner Market Group for access to the latest in nightlife on twitter @Headlinerworld.
Jay-Z's wife Beyoncé and a host of friends (Fabolous, Flo Rida, The Dream, Kelly Rowland, Paris Hilton, Floyd Mayweather, Young Chris, Memphis Bleek, DJ Clue, DJ Stevie J, Don P, Teyana Taylor, Teairra Mari, Pusha T, Claudia Jordan) were in attendance to support the launch. A special surprise performance by Trinidad James.
Click the link for a recap video with highlights of the night provided by Headliner Market Group: https://vimeo.com/55472532

Sunday, December 9, 2012

JAY Z IS LAUNCHING IS COGNAC, COGNAC D'USSE THIS WEEKEND IN MIAMI


Cognac D'Usse by Jay-Z
Cognac D'Usse by Jay-Z
Jay-Z and his cognac, i.e., Cognac D'Usse are having launch parties in Miami this weekend.
This will be fun events. Let us know if you go!
Cognac D'Usse by Jay-Z
Cognac D'Usse by Jay-Z


Saturday, December 8, 2012

WHEN AND HOW TO DRINK COGNAC: FIRST LET'S REVIEW THE 'WHAT NOT TO DO LIST'.


It is often that people ask me on how and when one should drink cognac. In fact, this is not a simple question as there are many ways and many opportunities one should favor cognac.
Cognac is not seasonal as many people think: in other words, not just for the Winter months, and not just a sipping spirit. Cognac is much more versatile that many people think.
But first, one should take his time and savour it bit by bit, little by little. Cognac is about the moment!
First here is what not to do with cognac.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkU3AvejRBg?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

Friday, November 23, 2012

WHY DO AMERICAN DRINKERS DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT BLENDING? A LESSON FROM COGNAC


Single this and single that are concepts very much in vogue in the Scotch industry and now borrowed by any categories of spirits. The problem is that for cognac blending is not a bad word. It is about making perfume, formulas, secret formulas ... that can be replicated year after year. It is about making in essence the best 'vintage' every year. Therefore, away from the bigotry of vintage cognac. This does not mean that "estate" and/or "vintage" and/or "single" cognacs are not good but they belong to a different program than what cognac is really supposed to be.
Blending is about Spicing up Life
Blending is about Spicing up Life
To better explain this I found this really article in the Washington Post published last April 2012 by Jason Wilson:
"I undertook an exercise similar to what a master blender would face on a daily basis. I’d been given bottles of five-year-old, 15-year-old and 30-year-old eaux de vie (what they call the spirit before it’s officially called cognac) and told to blend them into an XO (or “extra old”) cognac — one that would sell for $80 or more.
As I measured out various ratios of eaux de vie into beakers and flasks and started blending, I thought about how rarely this aspect of the spirits business is discussed. Sure, we hear a lot about raw ingredients, and distilling techniques and barrel aging, but when it comes to spirits, blending is an essential and often misunderstood aspect of production. Aged rums from the Caribbean, bourbons from Kentucky, and, of course, blended scotches like Johnny Walker, all rely on a blending to find the right recipe to bring about a consistent product.
Mostly, though, American drinkers don’t want to hear about blending. We love to talk about singular things: single-malts, single vineyards, single barrels, certain vintages singled out for their singularity. Blending? You may as well be speaking French. For instance, it’s a widely accepted fact within the wine industry that Americans prefer labels listing a single grape, rather than a blend from a geographic region.
Blending often removes an easy shortcut to connoisseurship: citing age. Is this a six-year-old? A 12-year-old? A 30-year-old? Drinkers just love to know the number. An age statement on the bottle becomes like a seal of approval to drop more cash. People will shell out more for a 25 year old whiskey than they will for a 12-year-old, even if the older one has simply turned to oak-flavored juice. If the label says the older spirit comes from a single cask, you can bet people will pay even more.
... A barrel is a living environment, sensitive to temperature and other elements, with different floors aging differently. Additionally, cognac comes from distilled wine, which has it own variations from year to year.
... Because I was creating an XO cognac, that meant the youngest brandies in the finished cognac must be aged at least six years. Most good XOs seek a “tasting age” of about 20 years.
Given that I was working with five-, 15-, and 30-year old eaux de vie, I assumed whatever I created would hypothetically be need to go into the barrel again for at least another year.
In my first attempt, I used 50 percent of the 15-year-old, which was the most concentrated and intense. Of the remaining half, I used two parts 30-year-old eau de vie to one part five-year-old. Because the alcohol level was at cask strength (around 100 proof), I added a tiny amount of distilled water to bring the mix down to 80 proof — which is what most cognac is bottled at. The result, in my humble opinion, was delicious.
Trichet (Cellar Master at Cognac Remy Martin) took a long time nosing. And then she smiled. “Mmmm,” she said. “That is a very expensive XO you have there.”
More expensive than Remy Martin’s XO? I asked, knowing that costs about $120.
“Oh yes, definitely. You have very expensive taste.”
On my second attempt, I used about 60 percent of the five-year-old, with its fresh apricot aromas and buttery mouthfeel; 30 percent of the 15-year-old; and just about 10 percent of the 30-year-old. Trichet told me I was much closer to Remy Martin’s XO blend on this one.
This was eye-opening to me. I always imagined that expensive cognacs had much more older eau de vie in the blend. But doing the exercise, I began to see how a small amount of the older spirit went a long way.
... For a moment, I allowed myself to daydream. Would she consider using my cognac in a new product launch? Would she release my cognac in a special-edition crystal carafe, like the one I saw in the gift shop priced at $16,000? Would Chinese billionaires and Russian oligarchs start clamoring for Le Jason XO?
Source: Washintgton Post, April 10th 2012 by Jason Wilson
Source Photo: Innotata with Wikipedia Commons, February 2011

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

BRANDY GERMAIN-ROBIN AND COGNAC MAISON SURRENNE: CONNECTIONS & LINKS


Every cognac is brandy but not every brandy  is cognac!
This rule makes for a lot of low quality brandies out there. In addition, it gives a bad name to cognac when one is reminded that cognac in fact is a brandy.
A brandy! Who wants a brandy!
Well not all brandy are the same and in fact there are some wonderful brandy available in the USA and even better some of them are 'Made in the USA' and are noteworthy.
I am thinking of Germain Robin for instance. I love the background story, which I do not know if this is true but I like it, it makes for a good sales pitch.
Legend has it that Hubert Germain-Robin, the grand-son of the last owner of Cognac Jules Robin, was disappointed that his family sold away the cognac company back in the days and that he undertook a long travel in the USA. Once in California, he coincidentally met in 1981 with Ansley Coale, owner of Coale’s Mendocino County ranch. They had a long discussion on cognac and mentioned the idea of having a distillery in California one day, perhaps together.
And they did. One year after they met they build together a distillery on the ranch in Ukiah, CA. Hubert brought back from France some old pot stills and he started using them experimenting with the local grape varietals as well as ugni blanc varietal which are the common grape used in cognac.
Brandy Germain-Robin
Brandy Germain-Robin
In fact, this was very innovative at the time and with time their brandies became famous.
Other companies in the USA have followed these footsteps. Brandy Osocalis from Santa Cruz in California is also using a cognac pot still (i.e., Charentais) and is using multiple grape varietals. In fact, the blending of different grape varietals is what makes this so interesting as it is absolutely illegal in France and therefore it cannot be experienced any other way than with these Californian Brandies.
Brandy Osocalis
Brandy Osocalis
Another one to mention is Brandy Charbay from St Helena, CA which is using Folle Blanche grape varietal, that is the old style of grapes used in Cognac prior to phylloxera, see www.charbay.com
Brandy Charbay
Brandy Charbay
Now, excuse me for my saying but brandy is still not cognac. I guess this is what Hubert Germain-Robin was thinking too when he decided to partner and create Cognac Surrenne. There are many kinds of cognac offered under the brand Surrenne, including the affordable Borderies type.
Cognac Surrenne Borderies
Cognac Surrenne Borderies
But I am most intrigued by the less than 1000 bottles limited edition Petite Champagne. The story goes that starting in 1922, Maison Surrenne cellar masters filled an oak barrel (called tonneau in French) with small lots of old petite champagne Cognacs - some dating back to the 1800's. They topped off the barrel every year for 79 years, always with petite champagne eau-de-vie of the highest quality. That's sound good!
Cognac Surrenne Tonneau 1
Cognac Surrenne Tonneau 1
The problem is when you top off your barrel this way it makes it difficult to know the age as legally defined by the Bureau National Interprofessionel du Cognac (BNIC) institution in charge of protecting and regulating cognac. In Cognac and contrary to Scotch, the youngest cognac added gives the age of the spirit. Versus Scotch is 50% of 1 age makes 100% of the overall age.
---> Cognac = 99% 50 years old and 1% 2 years old = a 2 years old cognac
---> Scotch = 99% 50 years old and 50% 2 years old = a 50 years old scotch
It is not fair!!

Friday, November 16, 2012

WHISKY REVIEW IS TALKING ABOUT COGNAC ON YOUTUBE: A REVIEW OF COGNAC GUERBE SINGLE CASK


Whisky Review on Youtube offers a very interesting "vlog" on cognac (i.e., video blog) - video no.318 and 320.
Whisky Review is an online video media originally only focused on whisky and scotch based in Northern Scotland using Cadenhead's store from Edinburgh. Just recently they have started talking about other spirits and cognac is the first spirit they are venturing into.
Traditional whisky drinkers are often not knowledgeable about cognac and in most cases have a neutral or negative view of cognac. Ralfy the presenter is even describing cognac as a very diversified spirit which is a novel statement for the scotch drinkers as they often perceived cognac as a product summarized by one of two brands.
In this video review No. 319, Ralfy presents Cognac Guerbe Single Cask 8 years old.
Cognac Guerbe Single Cask 8 Years Old
Cognac Guerbe Single Cask 8 Years Old
This is not a surprised to me as I announced that the innovation for 2012 in the cognac market was the launch of Single Barrel Cognac as started by Comandon Cognac with their cognac XO selection launched earlier this year.
It is a good thing that whysky and traditional scotch drinkers are getting increasingly interested in cognac. These new customers will join the current international bandwagon of customers growing worldwide.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_RvsqXhkbE?list=UUp0k3OKqfkPW0HdRLA8JWZg&hl=en_US&w=560&h=315]

Thursday, November 15, 2012

COGNAC LOUIS ROYER HAVE PURCHASED A VINEYARD IN GRAND CHAMPAGNE


Cognac Louis Royer was established in 1853 in Jarnac. With more than 2,000,000 bottles sold they appear as one of the leader in the 2nd group of cognac trading houses.
First group is composed of Hennessy, Remy Martin, Martell and Courvoisier.
In 1989, Louis Royer was purchased by Suntory, a Japanese brewing and distilling company more famous under its malt whisky named Yamazaki. First thing the japanese did in the early 1990 was to refocus the business on the core competencies and they sold the vineyards in the Borderies.
After the first group cognac houses announced paying 10% more for the eaux-de-vie just this months, and all indicators showing a healthy growth for the cognac market, and that Cognac Louis Royer is benefiting from this growth it seems logical that they look and why not acquire again a vineyard in cognac. Well, it is done. The local newspapers Charente Libre and Sud Ouest have both announced that Cognac Louis Royer purchased last Monday 12th November 2012, a vineyard in Grande Champagne.
Cognac Louis Royer Happy Bee Going to the Vineyards
Cognac Louis Royer Happy Bee Going to the Vineyards
Exactly, they acquired 83 hectares of land including 34 hectars of planted vineyard in Saint-Fort sur le Né from SCEA Domaine Du Ménis, created in 1961 was in the hands of the Giraudet family since 1980.
One would imagine that this purchase may limit their dependencies on other suppliers but perhaps this is not the reason since they need about 15,000 Hecto liter of Pure Alcohol (HPA), and this vineyard will only contribute up to 350 HPA.
Suntory has already invested in vineyards in Bordeaux and perhaps they are trying to gain more control by vertically integrating the production. Traditionally, Cognac Louis Royer has not been involved in the cognac vineyards, and this change will be something new for the company.
Sources: Charente Libre and Sud Ouest

NO RATATOUILLLE FROM LA TOUR D'ARGENT THIS TIME BUT SOME PRE-REVOLUTIONARY COGNACS FOR AUCTION


Christie's London will be auctioning next month (December 13th and 14th 2012) a collection of antique and vintage cognacs from the famous Parisian restaurant "La Tour d'Argent" founded in 1582. La Tour d'Argent the restaurant was the inspiration for Pixar’s animated 2007 movie Ratatouille.
This is the second time in recent years that the Tour D'Argent auctions some of its rarer and older fine wines and spirits. In 2009, the restaurant sold 18,000 bottles for more than 2.5m usd in order to finance the purchase of newer vintages.
What's the deal!?
Are they worried of running out? No, with a cellars including more than 400,000 items to choose, that is 14,000 different types of products no point in being worried.
Are they hurting and looking for cash?  No, it is just common sense: people are not ordering these "collectors' items" and this auction will allow the restaurant to renew its stock with more contemporary products. Some stocks will again be auctioned in 200 years, and here it goes from one generation to the other etc...
Some of the products that will be auctioned date back from the stock transfer which was made by the owner's daughter of Café Anglais, Augusta Burdel, after she married the owner of La Tour d'Argent, André Terrail, i.e., the grandfather of the current owner. The Café Anglais was demolished in 1913.
One hundred and eighty lots of ancient Cognacs but also Armagnacs, rum, calvados, Port and marc, all from the cellars of the Parisian restaurant La Tour d’Argent, with an expected value of 300,000 usd total sales.
The oldest bottle of all is the prized, pre-Revolutionary, Vieux Cognac Grande Champagne ‘Clos de Griffier’ Café Anglais 1788, with an estimate of 5,000 usd  (no way!!!).
‘Clos de Griffier’ 1788 [Christie's Image Ltd 2012]
‘Clos de Griffier’ 1788 [Christie's Image Ltd 2012]
Other remarkable cognac include two jeroboams (2.5L) Fine Champagne Cognac ‘La Tour d’Argent’ 1805. This extremely rare format was bottled on site more than 200 years ago. Both items will be sold in their original hand-blown glass bottles with an estimate of 20,000 usd.
1805 Jeroboam Fine Champagne (c) Luxuo Luxury Blog
1805 Jeroboam Fine Champagne (c) Luxuo Luxury Blog
Last 1738 Clos de Griffier which was auctioned by Christie's was bought as a charity lot by the Playboy Club in London for 78,000 usd one year ago, and it was accidentally broken by a client last June while they were making him by a 8800 USD cocktail.
In 2009, there was another auction for the exact same cognac but from 1788 which sold for 37,000 usd, from a stock of La Tour d'Argent restaurant again. I wonder how many they have of these!!
Two days ago, Tuesday 13th November 2012, Christie's in Geneva auctioned another bottle of Cognac from 1789, Saulnier Freres (Saint-Amant de Graves) also a Fine Champagne which sold for 31,650 usd.
Saulnier Freres Cognac Fine Champagne (c) Christie's 2012
Saulnier Freres Cognac Fine Champagne (c) Christie's 2012
The question is how much this next bottle of pre-revolutionary cognac will go for in London this December? My guess = 42,000 usd, let's see ...
Source: Decanter and Luxuo and SUD OUEST
Source: Christie's Image Ltd 2012

Monday, November 12, 2012

REMY COINTREAU AND KING POWER LAUNCH LOUIS XIII COGNAC IN MACAU'S AIRPORT


Remy Cointreau Global Retail and Louis XIII Cognac
Remy Cointreau Global Retail and Louis XIII Cognac
Rémy Cointreau Global Travel Retail (GTR) and King Power Duty Free (Macau) Company Limited, a subsidiary of the Antares Cheng-run King Power Group (Hong Kong), have joined forces to launch a showcase for the Louis XIII de Rémy Martin at Macau International Airport.
Dubbed the ‘Louis XIII Kingdom’, the luxury display was unveiled on 25 September by representatives from Rémy Cointreau GTR, King Power Group (Hong Kong) and CAM – Macau International Airport Co Ltd.
Speaking at the unveiling, Rémy Cointreau GTR Marketing & Business Development Director Matthew Hodges noted the success of Rémy Martin Fine Champagne Cognac in Asia: “Our sales of Rémy Martin Cognac in this region have increased year on year over the last decade in spite of global recession, environmental incidents and competition from some worthy adversaries.
Cognac Remy Martin - Matthew Hodges - Global Travel ©Airportdynamics.tv
Cognac Remy Martin - Matthew Hodges - Global Travel ©Airportdynamics.tv
Today Rémy Martin VSOP retains the title of the world’s favourite cognac but the performance of the superior Cognacs has been even more extraordinary, particularly in Asia.
Cognac Remy Martin VSOP China Ad ©Chinanews
Cognac Remy Martin VSOP China Ad ©Chinanews
“By focusing on the supreme quality of our Cognac, educating the consumer about what makes it unique and presenting it in new and dynamic ways, Rémy Martin has achieved record sales in Asia in the past year with China and its destination markets accounting for the lion’s share of that growth,” he added.
Hodges continued: “Macau International Airport is a vital gateway to this region, to mainland China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia with superb retail facilities managed by King Power Group, experts in the field. We are advised that 22 airlines serve 130 destinations from this airport and nearly 80% of the passengers travelling through this terminal have shopping – and especially luxury shopping – on their minds.
It is entirely appropriate therefore that Rémy Martin should choose Macau International Airport to stage this very special display of our most prized cognac, Louis XIII.”
Remy Cointreau Display of Louis XIII Cognac in Macau Airport ©Moodie Report
Remy Cointreau Display of Louis XIII Cognac in Macau Airport ©Moodie Report
Located in airside Departures at Macau International Airport, the Louis XIII showcase presents the ultra-premium Cognac in backlit silver gondolas and display columns with premium merchandising.
Remy Cointreau Display of Louis XIII Cognac in Macau Airport ©Moodie Report
Remy Cointreau Display of Louis XIII Cognac in Macau Airport ©Moodie Report
Louis XIII de Rémy Martin is a blend of 1,200 eaux-de-vie aged between 40 and 100 years, all of which emanate from Fine Champagne appellation of Cognac, i.e., Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne vines in the Cognac region.
“The Louis XIII Podium will remain in place until the middle of December and its impact on the Rémy Martin brand and the whole retail area is expected to be considerable,” Hodges highlighted.
The Louis XIII Kingdom made its Asian debut back in 2010 at Hong Kong International Airport with Sky Connection. Earlier that year Rémy Cointreau GTR joined forces with leading French retailer Aelia to launch a dedicated Louis XIII universe across a number of sites at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Source News and Photos: ©The Moodie Reportby Melody Ng
Source Photos: Chinanews.wordpress.com and Airportdynamics.tv

DOUGIE DOG WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE HOT DOG IS A COGNAC HOT DOG INFUSED WITH REMY MARTIN LOUIS XIII COGNAC


We knew already of burgers infused with cognac with for instance the Hawthorne at Umami Urban by Mayer Hawthorne in Los Angeles or the Cognac Burger by Cognac Bistro in Boston.
Now comes the cognac hot dog!
Dougie Dog Cognac Remy Martin Louis XIII Infused
Dougie Dog Cognac Remy Martin Louis XIII Infused
Dougie Dog Hot Dogs in Vancouver is serving the most extravagant (and expensive) hot dog in the world called the Luxe Dragon Dog.
The $100 foot-long Dragon Dog is infused with $2,000-a-bottle of Louis XIII cognac, topped with fresh lobster and Kobe beef seared in truffle and olive oil, and served with a secret picante sauce.
The hot dog was names Dragon Dog in honor of the Chinese New Year, which this year celebrates the year of the dragon.
This cognac hot dog is not a limited edition as it will be on the permanent menu, but you need to reserve in advance as it takes twelve hours to infuse the luxe Dragon Dog with Remy Martin Louis XIII cognac.
Dougie Dog Hot Dogs hopes to get the Guiness Book of Records to approve this entry and replace the previous winner $69  hot dog.
Source: Business Insider, by Christopher Parr

Sunday, November 11, 2012

COGNAC BUSINESS IS FORECASTED TO GROW IN EASTERN EUROPE


Eastern Europe is becoming increasingly a growth heaven for spirit brands as the vodka markets are loosening up to make room for other spirits. A new generation of drinkers and bartenders is opening up to western spirits and in particular but not only to whiskies from Scotland and Ireland.
The cognac sales are keeping upward sales trends with estimated sales going up +24% in the next 5 years according to a recent report from Euromonitor, says The Spirits Business.
Courvoisier in particular is working on the eastern border in Russia and Ukraine where they expect the fastest growing demands as these markets are following Russia's middle class path for success. The Czech Republic is also developing fast growing demand with other new frontiers coming up such as Bulgaria where Diageo is making quick headway with Bushmills Irish whiskey and Johnnie Walker .
Once consumers start to gain economic success their import spirit tastings is growing.
With affluent markets growth in eastern Europe Russia is expected to grow +20% its cognac consumption by 2016, and Poland is said to be the next best hit with +17% growth expected for the cognac in the next 3 years.
Russian Dolls
Russian Dolls - Matryoshka - Babushka

Friday, November 9, 2012

COURVOISIER LIMITED EDITION TRAVEL RETAIL 'THE VOYAGE OF NAPOLEON'


Beam Inc launched an exclusive travel retail range from Courvoisier entitled 'Le Voyage de Napoleon" at the TFWA World Exhibition last month in Cannes. Once a year in Cannes, famous of its film festival, Cannes presents the International duty free and travel retail industry trade show in the same building they have the film festival.

'Le Voyage de Napoleon' is a collection of the brand’s renowned VS, VSOP and XO Cognacs presented in new packaging, designed to appeal to modern, discerning consumers while tapping into the growing trend towards luxury products.

Inspired by one of the most famous travellers in history, 'Le Voyage de Napoleon' celebrates the star that Napoleon called upon for luck at the start of each battle - a symbol which later became central to the design of the Légion d’Honneur, the military order established by the French conqueror and still given to celebrate excellence and honor meritorious people. 

The collection features a distinctive and opulent packaging design inspired by the journeys of Napoleon, said to be a figure intrinsically linked to Courvoisier’s rich, pioneering heritage.
Cognac Courvoisier VSOP & XO, Le Voyage de Napoleon Edition
Cognac Courvoisier VSOP & XO, Le Voyage de Napoleon Edition
Beam International Marketing Manager EMEA Nina Knezevic commented: "We are confident that Courvoisier Le Voyage de Napoleon will appeal to the world’s discerning drinkers as it offers Courvoisier loyalists a unique set of our key expressions across the price range, exclusive to this market."

Beam Travel Retail Business Manager EMEA Antony Kime added: "Travel retail is a unique and important channel for Courvoisier and provides a great platform to showcase the brand to a global audience. Many travel retail customers look for premium brands with a point of difference to those found in domestic markets as they make the perfect luxury gift, so it is essential that we cater for this demand."

Source: ©The Moodie Report By Colleen Morgan

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

REMY COINTREAU IS NEGOTIATING TO ACQUIRE THE MAJORITY OF COGNAC LARSEN


Remy Martin has just announced negotiating the majority acquisition of Cognac Larsen.
Cognac Larsen founded in 1926, is one of the last 100% family owned cognac house controlling the full process of cognac production and is located in downtown Cognac city.

Remy Martin has already sold 202,3 millions euros from Jan-to-July 2012 which accounts for 62% of the Remy Cointreau Group sales during this period.

Société Générale Bank re-evaluated down their valuation of the stock market shares of Remy Cointreau from 93 to 79 euros. The reason is a reduced growth this trimester (+5.3%) compared to +24.4% from the previous trimester. Although they anticipate the growth to continue they do not know how much growth prospects will continue to be generated by Asian markets.

It may appear that Remy Martin is trying to access another stock of cognac and/or perhaps diversify its brand portfolio. Let's hope it is not the disappearance of another smaller house as we want to keep cognac alive in its many different forms. Diversity is key to avoid standardization and boredom.
Cognac Larsen Remy Cointreau Negotiation
Cognac Larsen Remy Cointreau Negotiation

SYLVIA KRISTEL AKA EMMANUELLE DIES AT HOME, A SYMBOL GOES AWAY


Sylvia Kristel star of the original Emmanuelle movies passed away (17 Oct. 2012) in her home in The Hague, Netherlands at age 60. She was a Dutch actress who performed in over 50 films, and was best known for playing the lead character in four of the seven Emmanuelle films.
In addition, to her 4 Emmanuelle movies she appeared in over 40 mainstream movies which weighted less in her acting career, as she is mostly known for her performance in Emmanuelle.  Sylvia Kristel was a Miss contestant and winner in her home country as well as in Europe in her early 20s, and the source of the myth of Emmanuelle. She exemplified the women sexual freedom from the 1970s, playing the role of the wife of a French diplomat in Bangkok who avoided her boredom with a variety of sexual encounters. There many surprising statistics, but just to give one: Emmanuelle I was featured in the main cinemas on the Champs-Elysées in Paris for 13 years, this could be a record!
Sylvia Kristel two favorite drinks were cognac and champagne according to The Economist and Paris Match. She passed away leaving behind her a symbol of extreme lifestyle leaving on the edge with the world entertainment moguls from Hollywood to Cannes.

Another connection with cognac, is that she played one of her first erotic scene with a Cognac inhabitant named Jacques Szersnovicz, aka Grégory in Emmanuelle I in 1974. He played the lover that she met in the plane on her way to Bangkok. Now, Jacques is retired focusing his life on the memorial of Jean Monnet he says to Sud Ouest, but he remembers Sylvia as "shy, young, and inexperienced women ... but a symbol of feminity".
Emmanuelle, Sylvia Kristel, Jacques Szersnovicz, Cognac
Emmanuelle, Sylvia Kristel, Jacques Szersnovicz, Cognac [Source: SUD OUEST]
Sylvia Kristel, aka Emmanuelle in Cannes
Sylvia Kristel, aka Emmanuelle in Cannes [Sources: AFP Photos & La Voix du Nord]
Source Photo: SUD OUEST , AFP, & La Voix du Nord