Cognac, March 4 ,1998

Two New Products

Davidoff revamps the Classic In order to enhance the existing harmony of Davidoff Classic Cognac aromas and those of a great cigar, the bottle has been dressed in a superb round giftpack. Suggestive twirls of smoke are floating in a luxurious Epicurean atmosphere. This limited edition will be available at selected distributors during certain seasons such as Christmas and Father's day. Inquire here.

Roullet launches a new X.O carafe The house of Roullet renown for the high quality of its Cognacs and the high esthetic sense of its packaging is in the process of renovating its range of products. As a first step a new X.O. carafe has been launched with an exclusive engraving and a giftpack. Price: 480FF Shipping included. Inquire Here or go to the boutique.

Cognac and Politics

With a fervor worthy of the greatest republican spirit, the entire political class of the department mobilizes itself in support of its star product.

The Mayor of Cognac, Mr. Francis Hardy has sent to his colleagues in charge of larger cities a package for the Christmas holidays, containing a bottle of Cognac and a bottle of tonic water. This effort to increase public awareness was very much appreciated. Let’s hope that Mr. Mayors of France will share their enthusiasm with their guests. On her side, Mrs. Marie-Line Reynault, the district deputy, organized a great reception at the National Assembly in order to share this slightly forgotten treasure. It was a great success when the members of Parliament rediscovered the greatness of our brandy. The corridors of the Palais Bourbon still echo with the sounds of this "divine surprise".

If you think you should be among the beneficiaries of Cognac's Mayor's gift, send us a mail explaining how you can help promote Cognac. We shall forward it to MR. Mayor.

To the point where the president of the regional council of Charente, Mr. Pierre-Rémy Houssin, so he wouldn’t be left aside, went to the Elysée to plead the cause of Cognac. He was very pleasantly surprised to find out that orders coming from "the top" had already been given to systematically propose Cognac as a long-drink at all official receptions. It was than reminded that during the term of the last "tenant" of the Elysée,, although he was from Jarnac, it wasn’t done systematically, far from it…

Visit of High Chinese Dignitary

Invited by Mr. Alloncle, senator of Charente and a member of the Foreign Affairs Commission, one of the most influent economists of modern China, Mr.Li Yining, also member of the Chinese National Congress Commission, will be coming to Cognac to better understand the craze of his people for Cogna

The "Bitons" of Pineau des Charentes

On the occasion of Saint Vincent's day, patron saint of wine growers, the entire family of Pineau producers got together to elect Mr. Pineau 1998.

This responsibility, exclusively confided to a "biton" (good ole’ country guy), takes place for a full year during which this roving ambassador will praise beyond frontiers the virtues of Pineau. In order to test the poetic qualities of the candidates, an original ode must be written and declaimed for the occasion. The language used is free of choice –French or Patois-, but the fervor of the narrator must be communicative.

On this happy occasion, the ones in charge of this major activity of our region had several reasons to congratulate themselves.

Pineau, thanks to a voluntarist policy, is giving up little by little its reputation of little brother of Cognac to assert values closer to the soil and the people who make it, and to proclaim its identity as a regional product with an international magnitude. Today, this tendency is illustrated by several promotional operations in France and throughout a few foreign countries. Regarding sales results, it appears that success is on the way, and this rustic, authentic and convivial image seems to attract more and more consumers tired of "standard" products and searching for rue sensations.

Furthermore, the results of the1997 grape harvest easily level with the hopes that the aspect of the grapes had given. Full of sun, perfectly concentrated, with the right level of sourness essential for the blooming of the specific aromas of this liquor wine.

However, nothing could be achieved without a harsh qualitative selection, the accumulation of a specific know-how, as well as the implementation of particular techniques. Without all this, Pineau could suffer from its success and the renewed interest it provokes near wine growers, who are right to feel it is a gratifying and economically viable activity.

Finally, some maladjusted and unfair tax laws, as well as fanciful classifications in some countries are still slowing down the expanding of the product near consumers, especially women throughout the world, who seem to particularly appreciate the rough sweetness of this poet of the soil.

For More Information on Pineau, send us a mail.