1. Cognac
“Cognac is the liquor of the gods” said Victor Hugo, a famous French writer from the nineteenth century, and this quote summarizes it all!
Cognac is one of the most refined liquors in the world, enjoyed every day by many consumers: each second, seven bottles of cognac are sold somewhere in the world…
The region around the town of Cognac seems to have been chosen by the gods as it leverages many features available in this geography:
- A soil that has a unique composition that helps create the ideal wine to make cognac
- A climate that allows the grapes to grow optimally
- A wealth of traditional knowledge acquired over the centuries in France: wine-making, distillation, the science of cask-making, the wood maturation.
- The proximity of the Charentes river has helped historically for the trade, supporting the growing business.
In 2021, the sales of the Cognac rose by nearly 31% in value to $4.1 billion, and the volumes were up 16% to 223.2 million bottles, according to the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) industry group.
The cognac sales to the U.S. represents 52% of the worldwide market, and increased by 11% in 2021!
Four brands (the BIG FOUR) represent 90% of the market:
Through scientific research, the cognac production area was defined and segmented in six “crus”. The first significant geological work was done by Henry Coquard, a geologist, in 1860. It is still in use today and is composed of six vineyards differentiated by the composition of the soil, the landform, the solar exposure, and the climate.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT COGNAC?
- Whisky Gourmet organizes a Cognac course open to all: Cognac 360°
- We also conduct a Cognac high-end tasting session: https://whiskey-gourmet.com/product/cognac-tasting-online-discover-and-enjoy-this-great-liquor-in-the-comfort-of-your-home/
Ask questions here: https://whiskey-gourmet.com/contact-us/
Check the next tasting events here: https://whiskey-gourmet.com/shop/
2. Armagnac
“Armagnac is the oldest French eau-de-vie, with more than 700 years of history”. The first evidence of its use dates back to the year 1310 when Maître Vital Dufour, prior of Eauze and Saint Mont, extolled its 40 virtues to keep your health and stay on top form.
Above all, Armagnac is an artisanal product crafted in small quantities by wine growers, producers, and traders who embody an age-old savoir-faire. The diversity of the terroirs and grape varieties imparts this eau-de-vie with a rich and varied personality that reflects the character of the artisans who create it. There is not ONE Armagnac, but MANY Armagnacs.
Through scientific research, three Armagnac areas were defined based on their soil, climate, sun exposure and landform: Bas Armagnac (about 67% of the Armagnac production), Armagnac Ténareze (32% of the production), and Bas Armagnac (1%).
The Armagnac production is just over 1% of the total cognac production! Cognac’s little brother is quite characterful, and its diversity is unmatched in the world of brandies.
Below are some examples of high-quality Armagnacs that are available in the USA.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT ARMAGNAC?
- Whisky Gourmet organizes two Armagnac certified courses:
- Armagnac Enthusiast: https://whiskey-gourmet.com/product/certified-armagnac-enthusiast-online-course/
- Armagnac Specialist: to come
- These courses are certified by the French Armagnac Academy, and students receive a certificate.
Ask questions here: https://whiskey-gourmet.com/contact-us/