Cognac exportations hit a new record for the last campaign, with an increase of 8,2 % in volume and 5,4 % in value. The selected reference period is from August 1st to July 31st of the following year. More than 200 millions bottles in more than 150 world countries For the fourth consecutive year, cognac continue to boom. Theses figures represent for nearly 25% of the total value of exported french wines and spirits. According to the data collected by The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac US is on the top of the fist step of the podium “The dark spirits category is growing in the ..read more

Let’s discover “L’ombre de la vapeur” (the shadow of the vapor) a digital and interactive installation, ordered by the Fondation Martell to the company Adrien M & Claire B. An amazing experience for the visitor who becomes part of the workart. Dedicated to artistic commissions, the ground floor of Fondation Martell welcomes till april 2019 a digital and interactive installation created by the company Adrien M & ClaireB. Called “L’ombre de la vapeur”  which hightlights the torula ; the small mushroom living in cognac cellars, and indicating outside  by the black walls and roofs that pr ..read more

The exhibition Make the invisible visible retraces both the sources of inspiration of renowned artist Vilhs and the meeting of minds between Maison Hennessy, its innate affinity for the artistic avant-garde illustrated by numerous collaborations with the most pionneering figures of street art, and the portuges artist. After JonOne last year, I told you in this post, Vilhs unveiled his creative processus and the way he worked with Hennessy to make this artistic collaboration successfull. As if we are in his art studio More than “just” discover the works created by the artist for Hennessy and ..read more

Reference to the Robert Redford movie in Montana, the Charente river really runs through the AOC cognac vineyards from east to west. A quiet river which plays with landscape and flows into Atlantic sea just face to the famous “Fort Boyard”. Hop on board, imminent departure. “I can do whatever I want” The charente does not flow straight to the ocean. First it decides to go towards north, then suddenly makes a hairpin bend towards south and Angoulême where it finally chooses to flow at west. 380 kilometers of curves, meanders and small branches. 40 tributaries join its during this travel to a ..read more

The Corderie Royale belongs to french naval history. Built in the XVII century, this industrial  and historical building had known moments of glory during 150 years, and was a part of  the greatest military arsenal of France. Then, burnt at the end of the second world war, it was nearly destroyed.  The renaissance is due to passionnate men 30 years after. A stunning building On river bank Charente, built on an unstable place, the Corderie Royale is laid down on a raft made of oak pieces, deeply pressed on marshy ground. This explains the building could have a slant shape nowadays, even if it ..read more

Bold challenge to  open a wine cellar in the countryside in the heart of a lovely village to sell… french wines, cognac and pineau but also, new world wines ! After 10 years in famous places in France and abroad, Julien came back here to share his experience and passion. He could have choice to  locate his shop in Cognac, nearby. Julien preferred Mérignac, lovely village in the “fins bois” area, with an authentic live style. A contemporary wine cellar in a nice limestone house from XIX century with the typical front porch is a good idea indeed  : take a look to the following pictures and tel ..read more

As it’s the last day of january and the very last moment to do it, I wish everyone all my best : no resolutions impossible to reach, just positive thoughts to croos 2018 in a good mood ! Many thanks to each of you to follow and appreciate the blog, facebook page and instagram post. January is already behind us. Let’s have a look about it. A really wet wet month charente flood After days and days without any drop and critical level of the aquifers,  storms and  rainy clouds have suddenly crossed our region without any interruption ! From too dry to too wet, we went from an extreme to an other ..read more

Did you remember our visit to the truffle market just before Xmas in the nice market of Villebois ? I  recently have opportunity to spend an afternoon with Chantal and her nice fellows for a “hunting party”. It has been my great privilege to be there with Chantal, Flo and Masca, as truffle world do like discretion and secret. Truffles fields grow in hidden or well protected places. The tuber melanosporum, latin name of this small mushroom, star of festive tables appreciate mystery above all. Hidden spot Truffles plantation are rather well protected. The price of this small gastronomic mushroom ..read more

“la dame de pique” looks like a fairy tale, or the title of a novel. Far from a well marketed storytelling, it’s a lovely  tribute from a grandson to his grandfather who created this unique bewerage 50 years ago. In less than 2 years, Romuald Vincent has set up this family elixir in the trendy parisian bars and palaces. Welcome in his kingdom. A mysterious lady in the woods In this forest, just few kilometers from the city of Cognac, a woman would’ve drowned herself in the pond. Her ghost would still live here… And in the past time, Romuald’s family, owner of the place, extracted clay to pro ..read more

After days and days without any drop of rain, which was becoming worrisome for nature, rain falls without interruption for the last days of year and beginning of this one. The river Charente overflows fields and vines take a dip !  Soils get difficulties to absorb so much water in a so small period… Usually the climate is particularly mild in cognac land, due to the atlantic ocean and to its situation in south west France. The past year has been totally impredictable : First a mild (too?) winter, except few days in january Frost came suddenly  … on end of april, when the first small leaves ..read more