Celebrating Timeless Tradition and Opulence

There are very few brand names in the world as synonymous with a product as Rémy Martin and cognac. For its 300th anniversary, the prestigious cognac house is opening its doors and offering a glimpse into the art of cognac production, perfected by generations of cellar masters.

In 1724, an ambitious winegrower had a dream: to produce a cognac of exceptional quality, using only the very best grapes. Today, 300 years later, Rémy Martin’s vision has become a global luxury empire. The fine spirit, produced by double-distilling white wine and aging it for years in oak casks from France’s Limousin region, is now sold in over 100 countries.

With annual sales of over €1 billion, the Rémy Cointreau Group is one of the world’s leading producers of cognac. The brand is particularly popular in the US and Asia, where Rémy Martin has long been a symbol of French savoir-vivre and superior quality. Its most exclusive editions, which include the legendary Louis XIII, are amongst the most sought-after spirits in the world.

Cognac Fine Champagne?

No, not the sparkling drink ‘champagne’ from north-eastern France, but a fine spirit from the region around Cognac, more specifically the prestigious Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne growing regions, or crus. The ‘Cognac Fine Champagne’ label on the bottles refers to these crus, whose names are derived from the Latin ‘campus’, meaning ‘open field’. The calcareous soils here provide the perfect conditions for growing grapes, just like in the famous Champagne region.

And the secret ingredient when it comes to crafting a cognac like Rémy Martin? Consistency. Baptiste Loiseau – at the age of 34, the youngest cellar master in Rémy Martin’s long and rich history – has the challenging task of preserving the characteristic taste for which Rémy Martin has been revered for an incredible three centuries. No easy feat, given that the quality of the cognac very much depends on natural factors like the weather and harvesting conditions. “Not all grape vintages are the same,” explains Loiseau. “Just as with wine, each vintage of cognac varies. Sometimes it is fruitier, sometimes it is drier…” To ensure consistency, the cellar master blends eaux-de-vie from different years to create a cuvée, using his keen nose and well-trained taste buds.

To mark 300 years of exceptional cognac-making, Loiseau created a special limited edition: the ‘300th Anniversary Coupe’. An honour that is only bestowed on a cellar master once every 100 years. For the cuvée, Loiseau drew on special reserves set aside by his predecessors for this very occasion, some of which over 200 years old! There are just 6,724 individually numbered bottles of this special limited edition cognac, and just 56 of these are destined for the Benelux market. The price? A staggering €2,500 per bottle!

But if this seems a little out of your price range, Rémy Martin does of course also offer a number of more affordable cognacs. On the next page is a brief guide to its regular collection.

Cognac & Food Pairing?

Cognac has a surprising range of impressively deep and complex flavours. Did you know that a glass of cognac is the perfect accompaniment to spicy goat’s cheese, a platter of cold cuts, fresh seafood, or even salty oysters? And for those with a sweet tooth? Cognac also pairs well with marzipan, vanilla and honeybased desserts. Whether to accompany your starter or round off your meal with dessert, cognac is a highly versatile spirit for adding a unique touch to your dinner party. So, why not swap the wine for a cognac and discover the sensational taste sensations of this extraordinary and exquisite drop.