Cognac News & Features

In December 2016, La Dame Jeanne, a flat bottomed boat and popular tourist attraction that sailed the Charente River was damaged while docked and began to sink. While La Dame Jeanne was rescued by crane from sinking further, the sailing craft suffered extensive damage. According to Sud Oest, La Dame Jeanne will not be repaired in time to sail this summer during the height of the cognac tourist season. Discussions to find a replacement gabare...

National Cognac Day National Cognac Day June, 4 National Cognac Day is celebrated annually on June 4 in the United States. Here are some frequently asked questions about Cognac. What is Cognac? Cognac is a distilled grape spirit. Technically, it is a type of brandy that is produced in the Charente Region of Southwest France. How is Cognac made? The process for making Cognac is strictly regulated by the The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) In order to be...

In a groundbreaking move that sets the stage for future growth and expansion, Campari Group has announced its acquisition of Courvoisier, the renowned cognac brand, from Beam Suntory. The deal, valued at an impressive $1.32 billion, marks a significant milestone for both companies as they embark on new chapters in their respective journeys. This strategic move is part of Campari Group's long-term vision to become the world's most admired premium spirits company. The acquisition...

Last September, Martell established La Fondation d'entreprise Martell. As part of the foundation's work, Martell will be renovating a building once used to bottle its cognac that has been in disuse since 2005. The building will feature craftsmen of the Cognac area that helped shape the Cognac industry including glassmakers, ceramists, designers, cabinet makers as well as other artists and musicians work. Read more

There has been a lot of debate when it comes to the legal drinking age here in US. When it comes to law, there is always an opinion, some are for it and some are against. When it comes to the legal drinking age being 21 there are valid arguments in favor of it while others favor lowering the drinking age to 18. Legal drinking age varies by country. Lets see some of the reasons...

De Luze, a producer of Champagne cognacs, announced today that its XO offering had won the gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits competition. The House of Deluze makes a range of Fine Champagne cognacs made from eaux-de-vie from the growing crus Grand Champagne and Petit Champagne. DeLuze owns a 1,000+ acre vineyard in the Grande Champagne cru. Their Fine Champagne cognacs contain 70% Grand Champagne eaux-de-vie, and 30% Petit Champagne eaux-de-vie. The winner...

CNN recently covered the opening of a Remy Martin Louis XIII Rare Cask 42,6. This cognac is over 100 years old and 42.6% alcohol, slightly higher than the usual 40% alcohol of most cognacs. Only 738 decanters of this rare cask cognac were produced. St. Regis in Atlanta is offering tastes from their decanter of Louis XIII Rare Cask 42,6. For $1,050 you get a half-ounce shot, $2,100 a one-ounce shot and $4,000 will buy...

Louis XIII Cognac is among the priciest of all spirits Thousands of bottles of liquor are bought every day from liquor stores, wine shops and other places that sell spirits. Sadly, large numbers of bottles of liquor are also stolen each day from these establishments. This is not news. When, however, the bottle of liquor that is purchased or stolen, is Cognac, it often makes headlines, especially if the Cognac is Louis XIII. Louis XIII is...

New York Giant football star, Olivier Vernon bought about 100 bottles of Louis XIII Cognac to give to his teammates and coaches. The generous gift was estimated to cost the defensive end about $300,000 as the retail price of Louis XIII Cognac is approximately $3,000 a bottle. Louis XIII is a Remy Martin Grand Champagne Cognac made from eaux-de-vie aged between 40 and 100 years.

It is said that the distillation process was invented in the Netherlands and brought to the Charente in the early 17th century by Dutch traders. The Dutch mastered the art of distilling the Juniper Berry into Jenever (Gin). Since the process was introduced to the Charente, wines from the vineyards of the Cognac region have been distilled to create eaux-de-vie, that once aged in oak barrels, are transformed into brandy. That brandy later became...