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.

A really wet wet month

After days and days without any drop and critical level of the aquifers,  storms and  rainy clouds have suddenly crossed our region without any interruption ! From too dry to too wet, we went from an extreme to an other. Vineyards, fields, roads  close to river are under water.

The river Charente has spread over its banks and is not in a hurry to come back in its stream bed…

Here in Jarnac, cognac Courvoisier  is just on front line !

Ready to walk on the river ?

As you know, every clould has a silver lining and in this case the positive point of view  and thought is that the nature and plants, and cognac vineyards needed this water, and even if it happens all at once, it’s a good new for springtime. So we just have to be patient…

A mild winter

Spring is not here yet, altough temperatures are rather mild for the season. Consequetly, my wattle tree in the garden is in bloom with about two weeks early.

In Oleron Island, each mid february, a flower parade takes place with numerous activities, music and concerts, flea market, sale of wattle, and Miss Mimosa (french name of wattle) contest. During this period wattle trees are in blossom and the whole island is yellow colored.

A sunny color on my desk is clearly inspiring positive thoughts.

Distillation is on the air

Since november after the harvest and till end of march, the cognac distilleries work night and day. It’s really a magical moment to be there with the master distiller.

He/she crosses non-stop several weeks  depending from the quantity of vine to be distilled. Even if modern facilities such as computer controlled devices, and gaz heating  allow to sleep at home and no more in the distillery, the distiller  takes great care of each step of distillation, trusting on his/her five senses. The crunch time is called  » la coupe » (the cutting).

First, “the heads”appear with  the highest alcohol content. Then comes the precious moment “the heart », a clear spirit : this is the one that will produce cognac. The « second cuts » and the « tails » come lastly.The « heads » and « seconds cuts » are distilled once more with the next batch of wine, called « brouillis. 24 hours are necessary for an entire cycle.

I do love the different names used for the process,  » la bonne chauffe »   » la mise au courant » giving it its part of mystery. The scent in the distillery is quite amazing. We feel good even if we don’t drink ! 

Angoulême International comics strip

Created in 1975, the Angoulême International comics strip festival is the most important event of its kind in the world and the place-to-be for editors, authors, and fans. As usual, from last thursday to end of sunday, it has been a tremendous success and huge moments of emotion, laughs, discovery and passion.

To describe in few words and figures this festival : schtrumpfs and cosplayers in the streets, 23 countries represented, 2000 authors, 6600 editors and professionnals, 900 french and foreign journalists, 400 tons of books and materials.

Some views of the exhibition of Naoki Urasawa, one of the most fascinating contemporary mangaka.

and some other of the President of this past edition, Cosey 

In this grey january, this moment of madness is a authentic gift

And you, what have you done this past month ?

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L’article Positive thoughts from cognac land est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.

Usually the climate is particularly mild in cognac land, due to the atlantic ocean and to its situation in south west France.

The past year has been totally impredictable :

First a mild (too?) winter, except few days in january

Frost came suddenly  … on end of april, when the first small leaves and buds were out. A very rare and awful event fore winegrowers.

The day after…

About 10 % of the cognac vineyards did not produce any grape this year or in very small quantities.  Fortunately,  it has been an interessant harvest for the remaining 90 %.

Then summer has been hot and dry.

No rain in october and november, the moment for the water tables to fill up for the next spring and summer. It has been one of the most dry year since 40 years until… end december !

As the small rivers and the Charente received so much rain, they spread out on the banks, ,quite at the same level.

Thus, we get moving landscape, with some small  short-lived lakes, trees with roots in water, such as vines, roads disappeared under water.

The quiet Charente looks like a mountain stream !

Boots are highly recommended to walk along vineyards and and food paths.

As we were in water deficit, we’re not going to complain even if this rain causes some temporary inconveniences. It’s good for nature.

L’article Vineyards take a dip in december est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.