Back on cognac land news and events in 2018

décembre 28, 2018

Some highlights on this year-end, seen from Cognac land. A totally subjective look which does not claim to reflect the full diversity of what happened here during 12 months.

Grapes and cognac

After two successive tough years with hail and frost occuring a lot of damages on vineyards, everybody crossed fingers to live a “normal” year. Not taking account of theses wishes, hail decided again to cross over a part of our area… Then a very long period of drought,never seen before in the past years, spread from end of spring till september, which was not optimum conditions, vines got thirsty !

Spring time…

… and summer time

And fortunately, harvest has been one of the most important both in quantity and quality for a while now.

Even if the hot weather was a bit tricky and induced some winegrowers to harvest by night, at the end of the game, smiles were on each face.

living-in-cognac harvest 2018 by night – courtesy R. Martinaud

A very good surprise for everybody involved in cognac.

It’s now time for distillation till end of next march.

The soon-coming definitive figures of cognac shipment will be on the same trend as the three past years, on a never-ending increasing line, throughout the world. Hereunder, the top ten countries loving-cognac-so-much figures published in last september. Waiting now for the figures of the complete year. ( mid january) – courtesy BNIC

livingincognac cognac export boom — The top ten countries source BNIC

More on the cognac economy here https://livingincognac.com/fr/cognac-combien-de-bouteilles-combien-de-caisses/

Cultural life and amazing artists

Not only in Paris, as someone could think that nothing interessant happen “au-delà du périphérique” i.e, just beyond the large circular motorway surrounding Paris !

In picture, some of the the interesting events we had the chance and opportunity to see this year in cognac area.

Vilhs and Hennessy

The portuguese and international-know artist Vilhs desgined the VS limited edition 2018. The exhibition on Les Quais gave the opportunity to enter the creative process of the artiste.

More on https://livingincognac.com/fr/vilhs-sexpose-a-cognac/

L’ombre de la vapeur à la Fondation Martell

A poetic, digital and immersive installation which brings the visitor outside of the frameworkn outside the time.

More on https://livingincognac.com/fr/lombre-de-vapeur-a-fondation-martell/

Comics and movie in Musée de la BD in Angoulême with the famous author Goscinny

living-in-cognac 2018 Exposition Goscinny et le cinéma

Poussières d’étoiles in Domaine des Etangs

living-in-cognac 2018 Domaine des Etangs

More on https://livingincognac.com/fr/poussieres-detoiles-domaine-etangs/

A stunning place for international designers and architects

The Domaine de Boisbuchet, in East Charente is the dream of a design amateur and expert, Alexander von Vegesack who created this peaceful and amazing place to gather each year professionals and students to experience how internationally successful professionals structure their work, and how they approach design problems. Most inspiring architects & designers from all over the world, give a week-long workshop in summertime. Throughout the week, participants get insight on the process & techniques of top designers, and have the opportunity to connect with like-minded, passionate people.