2018 LA PART DES ANGES - COGNAC AUCTION

When
20 Sept.2018

Where
Hôtel Chais Monnet
50 avenue Paul Firino Martell
16100 Cognac

La Part des Anges, a biennial charity gala dinner, the initiative of the Cognac Interpro- fession (BNIC). At this dinner, collectors from around the world can bid for any number of very special Cognacs. 22 superb carafes and blends, generously donated by the cognac producers themselves, will be put up for auction with the proceeds going to charity. 15 of these cognacs also include a VIP experience for two in the heart of Cognac region, where visitors will explore the world of Cognac in all its facets: its terroir, its people, its crafts and its flavors. An amazing invitation to experience and share a world of emotion.

Since its creation in 2006, La Part des Anges auction of very spe- cial Cognacs has raised funds for 15 charities in the employment, education, heritage and social fields. French Chef, Thierry Marx, has kindly agreed to be the patron of the 2018 edition of La Part des Anges.

COGNAC BRANDS AUCTIONED AT THE 2018 EDITION
Bache-Gabrielsen	Hine
Château Montifaud	Jas Hennessy & Co
Cognac de Luze – Maison Boinaud	La Maison Larsen
Cognac François Voyer	Louis Royer
Cognac Frapin	Maison Bisquit, Dubouché et cie
Cognac Meukow	Maison Ferrand
Courvoisier	Martell
Delamain & Co	Merlet
Domaine Francis Abécassis	Normandin-Mercier
E. Rémy Martin & Co	Tiffon
Hardy	Union Générale des Viticulteurs Cognac

The 11th edition of La Part des Anges auction will be held in an exceptional venue: the hotel Les Chais Monnet. In this timeless luxury establishment in the heart of the Cognac region, visitors will enjoy a unique and unforgettable experience.

Sponsored by Artcurial & BNIC
Source: Artcurial.com

1805 COGNAC SELLS IN AUCTION FOR LOTS OF MONEY

[caption id="attachment_5762" align="aligncenter" width="399"]Massougnes Cognac from 1805[/caption]

Source: https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/

by Lucy Shaw

10th September, 2018 

A Napoleon era Cognac from 1805 has sold for over $260,000 at Hedonism Wines in Mayfair, making it one of the most expensive bottles of Cognac ever sold in the UK.

The bottle in question is a three-quarter gallon imperial of 1805 Cognac Massougnes and its sales price of over $260,000 makes it one of the highest value single Cognac sales in history.

The bottle was acquired by Hermitage Cognacs 20 years ago from Marie-Antoinette des Allées, Comtesse de la Bourdelière - a direct descendant of King Louis VII, whose family owns the former Cognac producing estate.

The imperial was snapped up at wine lover's delight, Hedonism in Mayfair, by an undisclosed buyer.

In 2016 a bottle of 1801 Cognac Massougnes acquired by Hermitage Cognacs was sold to an anonymous Asian buyer at Hedonism Wines for $300,000.

"In over 30 years of buying and selling Cognac, this 1805 is one of the oldest and rarest I have ever come across.

"Massougnes produced famous pre-phylloxera Cognacs and we have dated their records back to at least 1730, making them the oldest known growers and sellers of brandies," said Hermitage's managing director, David Baker.

"At its peak the property covered 346 hectares, and Marie-Antoinette, the last remaining descendant of this famous family, has written a charming note about the 'life' of this extraordinary Cognac, which was created the same year as the Battle of Trafalgar," he added.

Founded in 1987, Hermitage Cognacs specialises in the sale of old and rare Grande Champagne Cognacs from old family houses.

GROWTH & EXPORTS OF COGNAC

Cognac exports in 2017-18 are valued at €3.2 billion, an increase of 8.2% in volume (250.9 million bottles) and 5.4% in value compared to 2016-17.

This is the fourth consecutive year of export growth, according to the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac(BNIC), the cognac trade body.
The American zone, with ALENA, was the largest export area, taking 89.8 million bottles, a increase of 9.4% in volume and 0.2% in value. The US was the largest ALENA export zone, with a ninth consecutive year of export growth.

The Far East, with 60.9 million bottles, was in second place with a growth of +13.5% in volume and +12.4% in value. Singapore (26.6 million bottles) and China (26.2 million) were the main export countries.

In Europe, exports were stable at 41.3 million bottles, down by 2% in volume but up 3% in value.
Source: Vinexpo Newsroom

COGNAC PRODUCTION WILL BE GOOD THIS SEPTEMBER 2018

Big Data Logo

Even with a dry summer the production of grapes in Cognac are looking goodaccording to the BNIC by 31st August 2018.
"Quasiment pas de pluie lors de la semaine passée. Dans l’ensemble le vignoble supporte bien cette sécheresse, toutefois certaines parcelles montrent des symptômes déjà marqués : jaunissement du feuillage, baies petites et molles. Les températures encore élevées en milieu de semaine provoquent de nouveaux dégâts d’échaudage. Elles se rafraîchissent nettement en fin de semaine."

Source: http://www.cognac.fr/cognac/_fr/4_pro/index.aspx?page=actualite&id=7501&src=flash

Hence, the Government and Cognac Society (BNIC) have agreed for a rather high rate of harvest per hectar of vineyard for the production of cognac, i.e., 14,64 hl AP /ha.
This decision follows a rather large demand for cognac in 2018 with + 8,2% in volume and 5,4% in value on 31st juillet 2018.
"Confirmant un besoin total de 914 700 hl AP, la filière Cognac a validé, au sein de la Section ODG du BNIC, un rendement annuel Cognac 2018 à hauteur de 14,64 hl AP /ha. Ce chiffre, issu du Business Plan Cognac a été entériné ce jour dans le cadre du Comité Régional INAO. Cette décision collective et unanime répond à la forte demande des marchés et à la croissance des expéditions ... et ... tient compte de la capacité du vignoble affecté par les aléas climatiques et des dernières estimations de récolte de la Station Viticole du BNIC."

Source: http://www.cognac.fr/cognac/_fr/4_pro/index.aspx?page=actualite&id=7505&src=flash

10 TIMES MORE DISTILLERIES IN THE USA IN 10 YEARS

Craft Pot Still Distillery

The number of craft distilleries in the USA is ten times larger in 10 years. This is showing a healthy growth.

Original Title: Number of US craft distilleries rises by 26%

Source: beveragedaily.com

July 18, 2018

In 2016 there were 1,315 active distillers, which rose to 1,589 in 2017, according to figures compiled by the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA), Park Street Imports, and the IWSR.

A craft spirits producer is defined by the ACSA as one that has not removed from bond more than 750,000 proof gallons; markets itself as craft; is not openly controlled by a large supplier and has no proven violation of the ACSA Code of Ethics.

All about local?

The West boasts the largest number of distilleries (32.7% of total US craft distilleries), but the South - with classic spirits states like Texas, North Carolina and Kentucky - comes a close second (29.3%). The Midwest accounts for 19.1% and the Northeast 18.9%.

California is the state with the most distilleries: a total of 148, which makes up 9.3% of the nation's total. This is followed by New York, Washington, Texas and Colorado.

On average, more than half of a craft spirit producer's US sales come from within its home state (18% at the facility and 34% outside its premises).

"Nearly one-fifth of all sales take place at the production facility, underscoring the importance of tasting rooms and on-site retail to the bottom line,"? says ACSA in its 2017 annual report.

Meanwhile, employment in the craft spirits industry has grown nearly 50%: from 13,239 full time jobs in 2016 to 19,579 jobs in 2017.

The ACSA highlights 2017's 'most game-changing moment' as when Congress passed the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CMBTRA) on December 19 as part of the larger Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

"The significance of the tax vote cannot be overstated, for it is the first time in modern history that the federal government has acted to lower the Federal Excise Tax (FET) on the nation's small craft distillers," ?explains the ACSA.

"The legislative action has helped level the playing field for spirits within the broader craft beverage space, putting distillers on par with breweries and wineries. Prior to the law's enactment, a craft spirits producer had paid 5.4 times more FET than a craft brewer and 16.4 times more FET than a small winery, for equal quantities of beverage alcohol.?

"While it certainly is a time to celebrate, our work is only just beginning. ACSA's priority now is to ensure that Congress votes to make the tax relief permanent."?

The American Craft Spirits Association is a registered non-profit trade group representing the U.S. craft spirits industry.

AMERICAN AND SOUTH AFRICAN BRANDY BLENDED TOGETHER

Copper & Kings American Brandy Co. has launched Geogr&phy Bi-Continental Brandewijn

Copper & Kings American Brandy Co. has launched Geogr&phy Bi-Continental Brandewijn ($50), a new limited release. The 54%-abv offering is a blend of copper pot-distilled American and South African brandies (51%/49% respectively) aged an extra two years in ex-Bourbon barrels.

The spirit is bottled without flavor additives or chill-filtering. Geogr&phy Bi-Continental Brandewijn is now available at the Copper & Kings distillery in Louisville, Kentucky and in select retail locations throughout the company’s distribution footprint.

Last January 2018, Constellation Brands took a minority share in Copper & Kings.

Source: The Spirits Business

WHILs DESIGNED NEW BOTTLE OF HENNESSY VS

Hennessy VS Limited Edition VHILs

This 9th edition of Hennessey V.S Limited Edition is the latest in Hennessy’s ongoing series of collaborations with internationally renowned artists. This is the first edition that includes an eye catching gift box that also showcases the talent of the Portuguese Graffiti Artist know as VHILs.


Hennessy VS Limited Edition VHILs

THE ARTIST
Portuguese visual artist, Vhils, is renowned for developing the unique aesthetic of removing layers from walls and other surfaces to expose what lies beneath. Considered groundbreaking in urban and contemporary art scenes, Vhils’ innovative portraits are chiseled into city landscapes around the world.

Hennessy VS Limited Edition VHILs

Source: Hennessy.com