A large delegation of cognac makers

30 exhibitors, from world-renowned to artisanal producers, and the interprofessionnal organization BNIC are waiting for the visitors during these 2 intensive days.

The complete list here

Whether you are a Cognac connoisseur or a complete novice, Cognac Show is the best place to learn about cognac, taste, and discover more than 150 cognacs such as cocktails crafted by bartenders and the famous cocktails Bar Luciole coming from Cognac for this show.

Cognac master class

Led by cognac educators and producers, the master classes will be the occasion to discover and taste specially selected Cognac and get answer to all your questions about this fascinating cognac universe. A great way to get acquainted with the production, history, and drinking of fine Cognac.

“Cognac is a dynamic spirit rooted both in its history and in its region, the South-West of France. There is a growing interest in the diversity of Cognac in all its aspects and this will be highlighted during these two days. Cognac has many producers, each with its own personality and history. The exhibition is an opportunity to demonstrate this in London where a rich history links Cognac to the UK, the fourth largest market in 2022.”

Alexandre Gabriel Vice President of the BNIC

Informations

Cognac Show 2023 at Glaziers Hall 9 Montague Close London Bridge London SE1 9DD

Friday 10 th from 5.30pm to 9.30 pm last pour 9.10 pm

Saturday 11 th 12 to 6 pm last pour 5.40pm

Discover the history of 2 exhibitors on the blog

https://livingincognac.com/delamain-ou-lexpertise-sensorielle/ https://livingincognac.com/histoires-de-familles-de-cognac/

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The regulated period of distillation

Beginning for the most important distilleries just after the harvest time, the period must obligatory end on march 31 st. In fact, day and night, distillers live according to the tempo of theirs stills and process called “double chauffe” or “repasse” in french, i.e two separate heatings, in a special “charentais” copper still.

Growers distillers or professional ones

The so named « professional distillers » (in french bouilleurs de profession) are experts in the distillation process. They purchase wines to growers who don’t distill, then distill and sell wine spirit, the famous eau-de-vie. The big ones are usually binded with major « Maisons » like Hennessy, Martell, Rémy Martin…

The grower-distillers are winegrowers ( in french « bouilleur de cru ») who distill their own wines, and then produce their own cognac or sell part of their eau-de-vie produced, to the »Maisons ».

A very particular moment

The distillation appeals to emotional senses of sight and smell : a sweety temperature near the stills, the slow flow of the eau-de-vie, and the subtle scents diffusing in the air. It’s look like a magic process of cognac elaboration, compared to alchimist without esoterism !

It requires skills and years of experience to be a good distiller.

For further information on distillation process

Since the beginning of cognac story, the distillation is still the same with this special double process of heating. The process is clearly detailed in this video from BNIC (coordination and decision-making body for the Cognac industry).

L’article Distilleries and white fumes est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

When the vine has been affected by hail, 4 or 5 days are necessary, without doing anything, (even it is difficult for the winegrower…), to see and understand how the vine will react. Like a person, « she » is injured and curled up therafter, small attempts of re-start appear, as if the vine would say  » shall I go or shall I stay ? »

We had big hopes for the next harvest, grapes were beautiful. It will be certainly a less important harvest as previous.

Even if they know that nothing can be taken for granted, even if they are insured against a number of climate risks, the winegrowers deeply feel theses moments, and emotion takes a lot of time to disappear. The work of a whole year is wiped before their eyes in a single instant without any possibility to protect of prevent.

Diffusers army against hail

As soon as the alert has been transmitted at noon by weather forecast office, the 250 silver iode diffusers have been switched on . In fact, the alert must be issued at the same time, 6 hours before the arrival of the hail, to be efficient. The diffuser located in an area is efficient for an area located 10 kms farther, and so on…

The ignition of the nozzle in the metallic pipe fired up to sky particles of silver iodide which are be sucked in the clouds. The reaction allows to decrease the size of the hailstones and so reduce the damages. However, it has not be sufficent as this huge hail storm was strong, but may-be losses will be less important than without diffusers.

L’article Huge hail for summer day est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

This ambitious project is a real pride for the cognac industry and for the BNIC employees… M. Wilmotte and his teams have understood the vision that drives our appellation, loyalty to the past and faith in the future, simplicity and ambition… »

Christophe Veral, President of BNIC

This building located in the heart of the town, facing the small harbour, will be a new place of collaboration, exchanges and innovation. It will contribute to the attractiveness of its territory.

Jean Michel Wilmotte and Cognac

The architect is not an unknown person in Cognac, as he designed and built the cultural center of Hennessy, in 1996. Standing on a former Hennessy production site on the river bank, the building called « Les Quais » is a delicate balance of white stone, glass and oak, with a copper roof reminiscent ot the stills. The future BNIC headquarters will be built at around 500 meters of « Les Quais »

More infos to follow…

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Numerous chefs, pastry chefs, sommeliers and hospitality manager, whose establishments have been selected by the Michelin Guide inspectors will attend this ceremony, with french and international press.

It will be a wonderful pleasure for all of them, as last year the event took place at Eiffel Tower but on line video broadcast due to the pandemy !

Buoyed by a collective dynamic, the Michelin Guide, the regional authorities, and Hennessy, Martell, Rémy Martin and Courvoisier are swinging into action for this unprecedented event. France boasts multiple brands that echo in the hearts and minds of international travelers. Cognac and the Michelin Guide are two of them.

A benchmark of French excellence and a global jewel in terms of spirits, Cognac and the Charente region will thus host the best of French gastronomy talent: a unique opportunity to celebrate the richness and diversity of a land with a multitude of expertise. In fact, from the Cognac industry to products from Charente, the ceremony will be designed as a celebration of the artisans, producers, and professionals from the sectors that contribute to the map of France’s cultural and culinary identity.

Bringing the MICHELIN Guide teams to Charente is a way of reminding gourmets the world over of the abundance of talent ready to have them experience memorable moments, and this across the whole of France. Chefs established in France are more motivated than ever and this new edition of the MICHELIN Guide  will showcase their pugnacity, their inventiveness and a sense of customer care that is unique in the world.

Gwendal Poullennec, MICHELIN Guide International Director

L’article Michelin Guide France 2022 selection revealed from Cognac on march 22nd est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

After very tough climatic conditions during the first 6 months of 2021, and a tricky frost, cognac vineyard belongs to thoses less impacted that estimated previously. Summer rainfalls then the come back of sun and warm temperatures helped the berries to plump up. Finally, even if it will not be one of the best years, it is not a year to forget. Except for the winegrowers deeply impacted by spring frost.

Some pictures of the moment.

L’article Harvest time is ending est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

How to determine the D-Day ?

Each winegrower asked himself the question. The technical services of the Interprofessional Organization (BNIC) give an expected date for the beginning of harvest. Nevertheless, it depends from so many elements, that the final decision-maker is…the winegrower who knows and « feel » when it’s the right time to start. In fact, it looks like a very subtle balance between professional skills and intuition, and requires a fair amount of experience. Needless to say that it is a nerve-wracking period, especially when the weather has played unkind tricks during the year.

The D-Day of harvest and thereafter

It looks like a math equation : the maturity of the grapes, the health status of the vines, the weather forecasts and… the taste of berries ! The reason why experience and human sensibility are as so important as technical data, to get quality vines and thus, years after, fine cognacs !

End of september and beginning october

Depending from the year and temperatures, harvest in cognac land usually begin in the second part of september month for Ugni blanc, and ended in the second part of october. This year the official starting date was september 23 th due to a chill beginning of summer. Last year, it was more or less 10 days before and a huge part of harvest took place during the night due to very hot temperaturs in the day ! In fact, each year is different.

L’article Harvest time in cognac land est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

A record in april,restoring the year balance

Over the past 12 months, the Cognac sector’s annual turnover has reached 3.2 billion euros with 213.1million bottles of Cognac shipped, which represents 7.0% over the past 12months, despite the COVID.

After a strong decline in shipments at the beginning of the health crisis in march, april and may 2020, the start of recovery began on the key markets during summer 2020 and shipment figures have been constantly rising since this time. Excellent results were recorded in China, particularly during Chinese New Year, and the US market confirmed very strong growth, with shipments further increasing by 20.7%, i.e. 116.8million bottles, over the last 12months. The sector is confident that it will continue to expand in 2021.

More fear than pain

Aftert the frost episod of last april and beginning may, as everywhere in Europe, the figures of the damages occured by the weather conditions are lower than anticipated. 15 % of the cognac vineyars has been impacted, depending from the area and localization. It is less than some other vineyards in France, Italy, Spain… Crossing fingers now to avoid hail storms ! Nature always remains the boss.

L’article Some figures of cognac est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

American tourists who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will be able to visit the European Union over the summer, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said on april 25 th to the correspondent of the New York Times in Brussels, if the sanitary situation is not getting worse.

The detailed conditions are not precisely known, but we hope they will be quickly defined between UE and USA.

We are waiting with great pleasure our american friends, lovers of cognac and all the foreigners tourists who will be able to come in safety conditions both for them and us.

Get vaccinated, and hope in the future !

L’article You are welcome in Cognac land est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

This past week, and still this one, vines have more or less deeply suffered of night frost, as in many others european vineyards.

I have a friendly thought to Burgundy, and Rhone valley winegrowers most impacted than here.

You certainly have seen the dramatically pictures of thousand and thousand of braziers, big candles, lighting the night in the vines.

It is just difficult to measure the exact impact today. We must wait several days, and hope that night temperature will increase. The paradox is that during the day, the temperatures are quite thoses of this spring season…

UGVC, the professionnal organization of the cognac winegrowers, is currently collecting detailed informations from its membership, in order to give within one week, a first idea of the damages.

We cross fingers and support our winegrowers.

L’article Frost in cognac vineyards est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

Pruning is a key work in vineyards cycle. Each gesture is important as it really engages the grow up and health of the vine, the quality of the harvest… Pruning is quite over, here’s time for binding just before buds burst.

Most of the time, cutted branches remain between the rows and then are grinded to fertilize soil.

Pneumatic tools are a great help for theses operations, requiring however, some physical strength and patience. Hundred and hundred hours are necessary, depending of course of the surfaces.

Traditional pruning and binding method in cognac vineyards is arch-trained or horizonally-tied « double Guyot  » and « Guillot-poussard ». A long branch with 8 at 10 buds is kept on each side of the trunk.

If it seems to be simple,gexperience is needed to be efficient. When you are in front of your first frapevine, pruning shear on hand, it’s not so easy to start,even if you have carrefully listened the explanations… At first time, I had the unpleasant feeling that the vine did not look like what I have learned !

At the end of the rows, vans and cars are used as rear base for material and mobile cafeteria : french saucisson, home made « pâtés », bread, cheese, hotdishes in a box and beverages, essential to get through the day. We are in France…

And to know more on the vine cycle

L’article Pruning and binding in the vines est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

Every bartender in UK is invited to share its best cognac cocktail tutorial video via Instagram !

Only a winner rewarded per week, during 6 weeks from March 15 to may 6th ! The big winner, among the six ones, will be welcomed in Cognac, when the sanitary conditions will authorize the travel and stay !

To know more on the rules

And to give you an idea of the excellence of the contest, click on here to see the french winner, the bartender Antony Bertin* in last january : From earth to the moon

I have been in love with this so magical video !

*Chief Bartender at Aquarium Bar à Dinard in Normandy.

So go ahead and good luck !

L’article Opening of the UK edition of Cognac Bartender Contest est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

If unfortunately this legendary ski race is postponed, all the norwegian and cognac lovers, can however celebrate the moment with this « Jean Luc Pasquet Grande Champagne », specially dedicated to this part of Norwegian history.

A norwegian historical event

During the civil war early 13 th century, between the Birkebeiner and the Bagler, two birkebeiner skiers carried the 18 months old prince Haakon Haakonsson over the mountains and brought him to safety. Skiing in deep snow the tough warriors wore leggings of birch bark, hence the name Birkebeiner (birch legs). In norwegian history Haakon Haakonsson is known as the great king Haakon IV. First he put an end to the civil war. An then during his long reign (46 years) Norway lived in prosperity and peace. Recently, the norwegian filmaker Nils Gaup produced a movie called The Last King (Birkebeinerne in VO) on this historical moment of the country.

The legendary Birkebeinerrennet

To honour the feat of theses two warriors and fabulous skiers, the first race took place on March 20th 1932. It starts from Rena to finish in Lillehammer, representing 54 km of breathtaking sceneries. The classic technique race crosses two mountains and valleys. To honour the history and the courage of the former skiers of the legend, the participants must carry a backpack of 3,5kg corresponding to the little prince weight ! It is known as the most challenging long distance cross country ski race.

This race is very famous in Norway at once for the sporting challenge and the celebration of part of history, gathering hundred of thousands norvegians, racers or spectators.

The cognac Jean Louis Pasquet Grande Champagne

Tribute to this glorious part of the history, Amy and Jean Pasquet created Kongesonnen XO, available to buy only in Norway.

The label represents the two birkebeiners and the little prince.

So as the race will not take place this year, nevertheless, you can watch the movie and drink a glass of Kongesonnen XO. Cheers and of course drink responsibly.

L’article Cognac Jean Luc Pasquet celebrates the Birkebeinerrennet est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

We heard the flight before we can see it : « Krrou, krouu  » an incessant and noisy sound , then a perfect geometric V appears in the sky. Sometimes, the birds break the V to search the best thermal lift to pursue. The birds take turns as leader of the squad during their flight.

It’s always amazing and emotionnal to see theses migratory birds above our heads. Everyone raises the head to look at this wonder of nature.

More and more often, the birds stop for wintertime at 200 hundred kilometers south from here, in Pays Basque, or cross Pyrénées mountains to stop in Spain.

And we see them on the way back to north earlier than past years. They are symbol of on-coming spring !

L’article Migratory birds on the way back to north est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

Since the beginning of cognac story, the distillation is still the same with this special double process of heating. The process clearly detailed in this video from BNIC (coordination and decision-making body for the Cognac industry).

L’article Distillation time est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

“In cognac-making, there is space for infinite imagination. It’s about exploring the unknown and taking nothing for granted.” Liu Wei
By this new collection, Maison Hennessy reaffirms its inherent values of constancy and dedication to craft through special edition artistic collaboration. 

More about Liu Wei
The Beijing-based artist Liu Wei, 48, graduated from the China Academy of Art in 1996. Early in his career, Liu belonged to a generation of artists known as the Post-Sensibility group. Since then, Liu has become a singular presence on the global art stage for works spanning various media including large-scale installations, video, drawing, painting, digital design, and sculpture, as well as for his use of unconventional materials and shapes. Liu Wei received the Chinese Contemporary Art Award for Best Artist in 2008 and received the Award of Art China in 2016. 

L’article New artistic collaboration for Maison Hennessy est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

People who live waterfront and cognac producers working on the river bank since the beginning know how to anticipate and protect them when the Charente owerflows even  for a big one as this past week. Anyway, as water level was increasing hour after hour during 4 days, it was a bit scary.

Since last saturday, level is constantly decreasing and everyone heaved a sigh of relief !  Fortunately, nothing to worry about cognac. Water did not reach the precious barrels and “paradis”. All has been raised and/or moved in others cellars far from the river. 

It’s now time to clean up and repair, a tough job to do. The technical services of Cognac city, Jarnac and Saintes are everywhere all along the days to help and secure. 

Far from this hustle and bustle, cognac is safely ageing in the darkness and silence of the cellars…

L’article One week, feet in water est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.