Contrary to popular belief, cognac isn’t just for older men who want to order a digestif. It’s also perfectly suited to cocktails—in fact, it was once one of the most popular spirits used by bartenders before the arrival of phylloxera, a nasty aphid that ravaged estates around the world in the early 1870s. For a light aperitif, sip it like the Cognacians: with a tonic or ginger ale. It’s a nice change from the classic Spritz ! Baptiste Loiseau, cellar master at Rémy Martin, which is also celebrating its 300th anniversary, explains how to enjoy it…
Use your nose
Like wine, it all starts with the nose. Hold your glass at heart level to detect the first notes. What aromas do you perceive: fruity, floral, spicy, or slightly woody? Then bring the glass close to your chin to discover a new facet of your cognac. Finally, take a sip and let the cognac glide over the different parts of your tongue to detect its different aromas.
Enjoy it fresh
The presence of ice cubes will greatly influence the tasting: if you enjoy it with ice cubes, you will more easily perceive the freshness of the fruits. If you drink it without, you will more easily identify its sweet notes, reminiscent of candied fruits. It can also be enjoyed iced: the cognac then has a thicker and velvety texture. Today, Provence is the leading producer of AOP (Protected Designation of Origin) rosé wine in France, with nearly 157 million bottles produced in 2022. A protected designation of origin that is the highest quality and origin label on a European scale. It meets the strictest specifications, with all stages of production being carried out according to recognized expertise within the same geographical area. Currently, the vineyards of Provence wines are home to three AOPs: Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, Coteaux Varois en Provence, and Côtes de Provence. They include a small number of grape varieties adapted to the terroir and are subject to specific yields. These exceptional wines are appreciated for their freshness, lightness, and aromatic complexity, qualities that have earned them an excellent reputation on national and international markets.