THE GRANDE DAME OF COGNAC

Wandering the hallowed grounds of Rémy Martin’s estate in Merpins, Cognac, one feels a sense of reverence, almost akin to entering a place of worship. This is a site steeped in centuries of family history: its cavernous cellars echo with the stories and savoir-faire passed down through generations, and its people speak proudly about the audacious men and women who came before them.

The rich heritage of the cognac house dates to 1724, when a young, that is, the synergy between soil, climate and people. As the only major cognac house to specialise in Cognac Fine Champagne, its grapes — primarily , with a touch of and — are harvested exclusively from the two most superior crus: Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, which are celebrated for their soft, chalky soil. Following harvest, a double distillation process takes place, keeping with the company’s tradition of retaining the spirit’s residual yeast — or ‘lees’ — and using small copper stills to enhance its aromatic intensity.