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Category: News

Cognac Houses Address Climate Change

Posted / in How to make Cognac, News and tagged ,

As temperatures steadily rise across the globe, the knock on effect of climate change on viticulture is being felt by all wine producers. In the Cognac region it has been found that during the last 30 years, a 1°C increase in the maximum daytime temperature during the growing period of the vine has resulted in a 10 day advancement of the harvest. Whilst harvesting early has so far been successful, temperature increases also compromise the acid levels in the grapes (high acidity is essential for cognac production.) Longer term a different solution must be found so some of the big houses have got together to try and find one. Currently the majority of vineyards are planted with Ugni Blanc, a grape known for its high acidity levels, so a new grape variety, Monbadon, is now being trialled. Monbadon is known to have a higher level of acidity and lower level of alcohol than Ugni Blanc but it should have a similar aromatic profile and harvest later. Due to the ageing process of cognac, the overall experiment will take nine years but it is in 30 years’ time that the solution will be required, when global warming will have made a real impact.  Hermitage Cognacs are hand selected to take advantage of careful harvesting and ageing processes used during their production.

Definition of XO to Change

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The proposed rule for changing the minimum age of XO cognacs, set to come into operation in 2016, from the current age of 6 ½ years to 10 years has now been postponed until 2018. This change to a more realistic minimum age was first discussed nearly twenty years ago and various dates have been set for the change since. A shortage of 10 year old stock has been cited as the reason for the delay. Even though demand has slowed recently for the more expensive cognacs in China, it has increased in other markets, especially America. When and if the definition of XO changes in 2018, it will undoubtedly have an effect on the prices of XO cognacs which are likely to increase substantially.  So, take a look at our range of hand-picked XOs, they might not be around for long.

Cognac Gift Presentation and New Armagnac Vintages

Posted / in Brandy Bottle Reviews, News, News from the Brandy Houses, The Bottle Story and tagged , ,

Lots of new stock has arrived on our shelves during the last month. An exciting new concept for the cognac connoisseur is a Cognac Gift Presentation offering 2 x 20cl bottles of very special old cognacs. Enough to try, enjoy and share with a friend and the perfect way to sample some of the very best the Charente has to offer.

We also have a brand new Hermitage Cognac 1976 distilled 40 years ago. This vintage is proving to be exceptionally rare so we don’t expect our stock to be on the shelves for long!

In addition, we have taken delivery of some new armagnac vintages including the very popular 1986, 1976 and 1966 from 30, 40 and 50 years ago respectively.

The Charente Scene – Spring 2016

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It seems that in order to get a bit more brand awareness, some cognac houses on the Charente Scene have been changing their image. Larsen has updated its style and changed its strapline from ‘Cognac of the Vikings’ to ‘Spirit of Adventure’. Hine has changed its colour from purple to gold and moved away from ‘Vintage Cognacs’ to ‘Maison fondée en 1763’. Not content with one brand update they have reintroduced the salamander to one of their other brands, Monnet, and repackaged it in fresh blue and white. Brand changes for Deau and Tessendier with their Park range of blends continue the theme but what difference will it make? Here at Hermitage Cognacs we believe in brand longevity so the only change we make on the labels is for a new age statement, like the Hermitage 1965.

Amazon’s Sommelier by Phone Service

Posted / in Brandy Education, Learning about Brandy, News and tagged ,

David Baker is our resident expertOnline retailer, Amazon, has just launched a new Sommelier By Phone Service in Japan.  Prospective purchasers can leave their phone number on the purchasing page of a specific bottle; they will then be telephoned by a sommelier who will answer questions and advise on flavour and alternatives; more information will follow by e mail. Another great innovation by Amazon – or is it?

Here at Brandyclassics we have been offering this service since our inception, a quarter of a century ago. Always happy to talk and advise about our handpicked products by phone or email, we think our experience and expertise provides an even better service than Amazon. So, if you have a question about our products, please contact us on 01225 863988 or cognac@brandyclassics.com.

Half a Million Bottles of Cognac Seized

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Cognac delivery seized

Chinese customs officials have arrested four suspected smugglers and confiscated more than 520,000 bottles of Louis Royer XO Cognac bound for the Chinese mainland. It is alleged that those arrested avoided paying the correct excise duty and VAT by lowering the declared price by 30% and falsifying customs declarations at their HK company. Clamping down on imports appears to be another measure by the Chinese government to curb luxury spend and cognac exports to China continue to fall.

Entry Level Cognac Brands Haven’t Improved Quality

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According to Hine Cognac’s CEO, “The trend towards premiumisation across all consumer categories, including fashion and alcohol, is seeing brands improve their image without improving quality.” This trend has meant that lower grade brands have been able to improve their overall perception without improving their quality. However he goes on to say that “connoisseurs are now seeking products with flawless raw material, of precise provenance and uncompromising quality” in their search for truly premium brands. So, it’s not about the logo, discerning customers want superb quality, like Hermitage – take our 43 year old for example.

Revamping Cognac’s Image?

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Various spirits have enjoyed a revamping of their image in recent years as cocktail culture continues to evolve, but what about cognac? It still tends to conjure up one of two images. The first is of an older gentleman in a suit, sitting in an overstuffed leather chair next to the fire with a large snifter. The second involves a whole lot of bling and rap music, thanks to the various rappers who have claimed cognac as their signature beverage. But what about influencing those outside of these two somewhat polarised groups? Even cocktail consultant Jordan Watson does not believe cocktails are the way ahead stating that “The higher-end, older cognacs are best for sipping on their own so as to fully appreciate their amazing range and depth of aromas and flavours.” So how can we get this message across to other sectors of the younger generation? Justin Bieber, at just 21, is clearly a fan and one of the oldest cognac houses has just employed its youngest cellar master ever, at just 35 years old, perhaps indicating a different approach? Maybe this is the start of a new trend to broaden the appeal of cognac as an elegant drink to youngsters?

The Charente Scene – Winter 2016

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Very much as expected, the grape harvest in 2015 is producing one of the best and biggest quantities of distilled spirit ever.  It looks like the total will be well over 800,000hl, indicating a record year.  Despite this, many distillers are fearful of a new demand on cognac from export markets, especially the USA where a record 4.3 million cases (51.6 million bottles) were sold last year. The US market is predominantly led by Hennessy whose share is 67%, the majority of which is of VS quality.  It has been made popular by influential rappers such as Nas and Jay-Z and the trend seems to be increasing.  Many of the distillers who sell their cognacs to Hennessy believe that surges in demand, such as that from China a few years ago, will lead to their instability; the current large production requirement may not be needed in 2 -3 years’ time.  In contrast, many of the Hermitage vintages have been aged for decades and are now in extremely short supply.  Take a look at the Hermitage 1903 for example, only a couple of bottles remain.

2015 – A Good Year for Armagnac

Posted / in How to make Armagnac, News and tagged

According to the regulatory body representing Armagnac producers, the BNIA (Bureau National Interprofessionnel l’Armagnac), Armagnac distillation started on 8 October, the earliest date in living memory.  Favourable weather conditions in the spring got the vines off to a good start.  This was followed by a very hot July, and then the “right” amount of rain in August, which helped to speed up grape maturation.  As a consequence, harvesting started two weeks earlier than usual on 10 September.  “It is important to harvest early as the producers are looking for wines that are high in acidity and low in alcohol for the distillation and October can be a very sunny and warm month,” a BNIA spokesperson explained.  When harvesting early, it is also important to distil early or keep the wines cold. The harvest itself was deemed “good quality” – it will be very fruity and rich with fine lees, and the producers are expecting a particularly good vintage.  So, make a note for the future, 2015 Armagnac should be delicious!  And while you’re waiting, how about another recent vintage to whet your appetite – the Domaine du Cardinat 1994?