The Charente Scene – Winter 2015 in the Cognac Producing Region
A Good Vintage?
Every year, around this time we start to get the full picture of the cognac production for 2014. Most of the new spirit will have been distilled and placed in new oak barrels and for the first time we are able to establish both the quality and quantity produced. Last September was dry and sunny and the grapes grew well during the year. Despite storms earlier in the year, which affected some areas to the west of Cognac, this year’s harvest was good. Indeed so good, it seems likely to have exceeded the big 1988 harvest. It is expected that around 825hl of pure spirit has been produced, which in terms of bottles is around 295 million bottles at 40%, and the quality is very good with lots of fruit showing through. Obviously the high quality will drive the price up but demand, which is not high at the moment, should bring it back down to within a few points of last year. How nice to be able to report such good news at the beginning of the year.