Cognac Tasting Tour in Cognac, France

Cognac Tasting Tour in Cognac, France

In the course of the Easter getaway in the Charente-Maritime division of France, we frequented the town of Cognac, France and did a cognac tasting tour. Cognac producers, for example, Hennessy (LVMH), Martell (Pernod Ricard), and Rémy Martin have their cognac generation foundation in this city.

The historic home of Rémy Martin is a tourist internet site in the town. But unfortunately, the residence was below renovation and making ready for the forthcoming 300 year’s celebration. Discontented with the condition, we went to its shop upcoming doorway to get cognac as planned.

There, we received a chance to join a cognac tasting tour. The just one-tour was not totally free, but it was the only English tour of the week through the off-period. Just before we made a decision what to get, we would like to know the solution of this premium spirit and hence joined the tour.

To get a in-depth insight into the cognac sector, you can join the Cognac masterclass & tasting tour, whose material is unbiased of any models and producers. It also takes longer, and of class, you will be able to flavor various varieties of cognac.

Heritage of Rémy Martin

Our tour tutorial was a young French woman who spoke best English. She gave us a transient introduction to cognac background. The title Rémy Martin came from the firm founder, but his grandson, also identified as Rémy, developed the symbol and brought the spirit well known around the world. Rémy Martin has a typical title in China, réntóumă (人头马), virtually translated as

a person-headed horse. The Rémy Martin brand combines a creature from Greek mythology, which has the upper overall body of a human and the decreased physique and legs of a horse, and the zodiac indicator of Rémy Martin. So, the Chinese translation is really close to what the symbol is.

Cognac production

Cognac generation follows a rigid approach. Grape harvest time, the duration of the fermentation course of action, distillation methods, and the point out-of-artwork blending system are exclusive to cognac output. For the duration of the complete generation course of action, extra than 70 parameters will have an impact on the style and the top quality high quality of cognac.

Grapes

Only grape varieties from the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne cognac locations are employed for the cognac. The cognac area has all the components to improve the very best grapes, chalky soil, a microclimate indirectly influenced by the ocean. The chalk layer is further in the Grande Champagne area than in the Petite Champagne location. The sample chalk levels in the introduction area clearly show us the variance.  

Fermentation

Following the grapes are pressed, yeasts are included to the juice. This approach converts the fruit sugar into alcohol, and no other additive is included. The result of the fermentation is a white wine with about 7 to 8% alcohol and higher acidity. 

Distillation

Cognac distillation is performed in a two-stage method. We saw a traditionally formed Charentais copper pot with its swan’s neck, cooler, and condensing coil. The wine is converted into vapour and subsequently condensed back to the liquid sort, called eaux-de-vie.

After the very first distillation, only the first and the previous component of eaux-de-vie will go as a result of the 2nd distillation course of action. The consequence of the next distillation is called eaux-de-vie, a colourless spirit of about 70% alcohol.

Growing older

We entered a massive cellar exactly where numerous oak casks are stored. Visitors are not permitted to choose any shots in this spot due to the alcoholic beverages material in the air. The cognac interacts with the oak casks and evaporates about 3% just about every yr. The volume of liquid is composed on every single barrel and differs from barrel to barrel. 

Blending

Cognac is the end result of mixing distinct ages of eaux-de-vie. The blender, also termed the cellar grasp, is the just one who will take the most major treatment of the mixing. In Remy Martin, it will take at least 7 yrs to find out by carrying out to turn into a cellar learn. The cellar learn blends different eaux de vie so that each individual products, for instance, the X.O edition, has normally experienced the similar aromas and flavours around the several years. Since eaux-de-vie is also manufactured from a variety of vineyards, blending eaux-de-vie is a extremely proficient craft similar to the Grasp Nose of a fragrance manufacturing unit. 

The blending course of action has been getting position gradually over the several years. And, eaux-de-vie is moved from cask to cask and merged. I started to assume if there was any way to re-make this process applying modern day technologies, and the remedy would be no. The total generation process assures that the fragile wine spirit is always at the quality level.

Tasting

In a sample space, tables ended up set up for the cognac tasting. Our French tour guidebook released a cocktail created of X.O cognac. It was a fantastic way to consume the cognac. 

Now, it is the spotlight of the tour, Rémy Martin VSOP tasting. Pursuing the instruction, I gently rotated the glass and observed the clarity of this spirit. Then, I lifted the glass to my nose and attempted to expose floral notes as instructed. Finally, I savoured the cognac and felt its flavours promote my style buds. To blend the ripe fruit and refined notes of cognac, I ate many pure black sweets with fatty and bitter flavours put on a little plate.

What we bought after the Cognac Tasting Tour

Our tour guideline introduced us the Remy Martin Club, a new manufacturer of Rémy Martin sold to the Asian markets only. It has a toasted almond notice and flavours of, for case in point, dried fig and apricot. It is best for pairing with flavourful foods.

We purchased Rémy Martin Tercet and Remy Martin Club since it is only obtainable in Asian marketplaces. And, of training course, the quality X.O version as very well. The store only sells pure cognac goods and many confined editions. 

Suggestions for Cognac Tasting Tour

If you approach to do a cognac tasting tour, I suggest you e book on the net to keep away from disappointment and have a English-talking tour manual.  

You will not be capable to push right after tasting several cognacs since the alcoholic beverages regulate is restricted in France. In addition to that, the town of Cognac is incredibly scenic and has various exciting websites to give. So it is far better to continue to be in Cognac for a night or two.

Inns such as Hôtel Chais Monnet & Spa and Château Pellisson are just in the city centre and within walking length to the Remy Martin dwelling.