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New addition to our Range – Hermitage 1974 Chez Richon Cognac

Posted in Brandy Bottle Reviews, The Bottle Story and tagged

We are very excited about our latest addition to the Hermitage range.  New on our shelves this year is the Hermitage 1974 Chez Richon Cognac.  Coming from Chez Richon, which is in the very heart of Grande Champagne near Segonzac, this cognac is typical of the area and exudes the qualities associated with the region.  Distilled 40 years ago, it has been aged in oak barrels for 38 years and has bags of nutty flavours and a long citrus tail.  This
exceptional vintage is in short supply, so enjoy it while you can.

The Cognac Process – Part 8. The dreaded Phylloxera

Posted / in History, How to make Cognac, The Cognac Process and tagged

The prosperity from the trade with Britain in the late 1800s was sadly doomed as production rose even faster than consumption. Thousands of acres were planted with vines to supply the anticipated surge in sales.  This threatened overproduction was however, overtaken by an even worse disaster. In the early 1870s the infamous louse, Phylloxera Vastatrix, arrived in the Charente and by the end of the decade it had spread to the whole of the region. The plague ended the 100 years of independence by the growers and their stocks grew even more valuable as the devastation spread. The growers tried to treat the vines with chemicals and when Phylloxera-resistant stock was found in America in the late 1880s, they simply did not have enough money to buy the new plants.  So it was the better off merchants who financed some of those in trouble, replanted their vineyards with the new grafted stock and helped with advice and support. But they too had their troubles with fraudulent production devaluing the name of cognac. Eventually this battle was won in 1905 when legislation introduced the golden certificate, Acquit Jaune d’Or, which must accompany every shipment of cognac on the highway, even today.

Over the years we have collected a sizeable stock of pre-phylloxera cognacs.  Our current range can be found here.

Trouble Afoot at Remy Martin?

Posted in Famous Cognac Houses, News, News from the Brandy Houses and tagged

There have been significant changes at Remy Martin over the past month.  First, it was announced that their Cellar Master, of 10 years, is to be replaced in the spring and then, last week, their newly appointed CEO resigned after only 3 months in post.  Although his resignation came as a surprise, it coincided with some poor company results.  Stock levels have dropped by 23% since he took over in October and operating profit is expected to be down by 20% at the end of the fiscal year.  These personality changes suggest that all is not well at Remy. It would seem that the Board is on a quest for a more profit driven approach, no doubt at the expense of quality.  We have seen similar changes at family rivals, Frapin, in recent times.  A drive to expand saw their extremely talented Cellar Master, Olivier Paultes, move on and the running of the company being passed down a generation.  Their cognac may never be quite the same again.

Responsible Drinking on the Increase

Posted / in News, Uncategorized and tagged

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has welcomed the latest survey of UK drinking trends by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) which shows an increasing number of people drinking responsibly. Reduction in the frequency of drinking enables customers to be more discerning in their choices and look towards the luxurious end of the drinks market.  Brandyclassics has always positioned itself at the top end of this market as our customers seek exceptional quality and individuality from our cognacs and other brandies.  Our own house, Hermitage, was in fact borne out of the need to supply a range of exquisite cognacs to discerning connoisseurs who demand superior quality and in 2013, our top selling cognac was the Hermitage 2000 Chez Richon.

The Charente Scene – Winter 2014

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Never has the weather in an area been more important than it is in the Charente and once again the unexpected has happened with temperatures in the high teens. Indeed growth has already started to show on many of the vines before all of them have been cut back. One surprised cognac merchant reported seeing butterflies in his garden! Of course a cold spell is hoped for as this often kills off the bugs before they can do any damage. The official figure from the BNIC for cognac production last year is 13hl/hectare of pure spirit but most producers appear to be of the opinion that we will be lucky to get 10hl/hectare. Indeed that which we know about so far is quite light.  It appears to lack any real body, is relatively poor quality and probably more suited for the younger cognacs than for ageing. At Chez Richon it seems likely that we may have done slightly better than average; we’re keeping our fingers crossed!

Protecting the name ‘Cognac’

Posted in Brandy Education, Learning about Brandy, News and tagged

The name ‘Cognac’ is protected by Geographical Indication – in other words it needs to be grown and produced in the Cognac region of France under strict conditions. Only brandy created using such a method is entitled to be marketed under the name of ‘Cognac’.  But this ruling did not stop Indian based company, KALS Distilleries from producing its own ‘French Cognac Brandy’.  It took a law suit, filed by the BNIC at the Madras High Court, to have the product name changed.  Protection of the name ‘Cognac’ is vital to the value and longevity of the industry and one that we wholeheartedly applaud.   It is reassuring to know that the regulatory body, the BNIC, is working effectively in this area.

In an attempt to further secure the future of Cognac they are also pursuing an application for the region to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although this will need some serious work, if successful it will see the vineyards of Cognac being recognized as sites of extreme importance alongside iconic locations such as the Taj Mahal and Mont-Saint-Michel.  The rules governing the use of the term ‘Cognac’ would certainly then become better known worldwide!

Chinese buy Roullet Fransac

Posted in Famous Cognac Houses, News, News from the Brandy Houses and tagged

Next time you go to Cognac pop into any producer and ask them who is next door and they won’t know, but ask them if they know George Roullet and the answer will either be a look, suggesting you should leave the premises quickly, or a fit of laughter. Roullet Fransac is situated on the quay next to Hennessy in Cognac.  It therefore offers clients visiting Hennessy a chance to browse around the dusty shelves of its premises for an alternative to the sticky, sugary, caramel offerings next door. George would buy his cognacs from local chais in Grande Champagne, including his old family firm in Cherminac. Admittedly, he had some good cognacs but whether George ever knew what was good and what was not so good is debatable but what he did know, even when enjoying his Paris apartment, was a good deal. As the CEO of one famous old house once said, “George is George”. No doubt George did a good deal with the Chinese, he had tried with many others! In all probability the house of Hine, who have just sold the firm to the Nicolas family for circa €50m, will have done a rather different deal; the Nicolas family know what is really good!

Duret 1810 features in World’s Most Precious Christmas Pudding

Posted / in Brandy Bottle Reviews, News, The Bottle Story and tagged

Luxury website ‘VeryFirstTo’ chose our Duret 1810 Cognac as the key ingredient in their luxurious Christmas Pudding offer last month.  The creator was famous chef Martin Chiffers, recently Executive Pastry Chef of The Savoy Hotel and now with his own premises in Tokyo.  Comprising the finest organic ingredients, including Agawa dates and rare Mamra almonds from Iran, the pudding also included a highly collectible, gold, Henry VI Salut d’Or coin which depicts the Virgin Mary and our Duret 1810, a supreme example of pre-phylloxera cognac originating from the firm of James Duret over 200 years ago.  Retailing at £23,500 this exclusive Christmas pudding was intended for the most sumptuous of Christmas banquets which, it has to be said, is where our prestigious selection of Very Old Cognacs belong.

Olly Smith Reviews Hermitage Cognacs

Posted in Brandy Bottle Reviews, News and tagged

An insightful article about choosing your cognac by Olly Smith, journalist & TV Presenter in The Mail On Sunday this weekend:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/event/article-2532794/OLLY-SMITH-Brandylicious-Winter-blues-got-Crack-open-Cognac-bask-golden-restorative-glow-stunning-spirit.html

You can buy his Hermitage personal preferences below:

Gift Vouchers – A personal way to choose this Christmas

Posted in News and tagged

This year we thought that it would be a good idea to make the Christmas Thought count by offering you the opportunity to buy a gift which lets your friend or relative choose exactly what they like. After all, we have such a vast range of cognacs and brandies that in some cases you probably don’t really know exactly which they will most enjoy. In a way we have created this situation by offering our customers a uniquely individual and wide range of cognacs, armagnacs and other brandies with many styles, ages and vintages to choose from.

Gift Vouchers range in value from £10 to £100 and you can, of course, buy multiples to obtain the value you require.  Just think how nice it would be for you to give something that your friends or relatives can use to celebrate so personally, in their own individual way….. They may prefer the 30 year old cognac with its smooth chocolaty and nutty flavour or perhaps the award winning 1975 Grande Champagne or, the 2000, a vintage that has nearly run out.

Christmas, is the ideal time to make your friends and family happy with a gift voucher from Brandyclassics, it makes sense and will save you the worry of foot slogging it
around the shops. Happy Christmas.