2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14
Emmanuel Courvoisier during his stay in Paris (early 19th century) met Louis Galois, a prosperous wine merchant. They began to supply cognac to the imperial court. Their storehouses were visited by Napoleon in 1811. The company supplied him with cognac during military campaigns. In addition, Courvoisier was on the ship that Napoleon was taken into exile on about. Saint Helena. Thanks to this cognac French Courvoisier began to be called "Napoleon's brandy". At the moment, the silhouette of the emperor can be found on all labels of the brand.
In 1835, the sons of the owners of the company created their own company, whose headquarters was in Jarnac. After 34 years, the Courvosier house received the status of a supplier to the court of the legendary Napoleon III.
After 50 years, the company was bought by Georges and Guy Simon. In 1960, cognac "Courvoisier" (Courvoisier) began to be sold in frosted glass bottles. After 4 years, the company was bought by Hiram Walker, and then by Allied-Lyons, which after the expansion changed its name to Allied-Domecq. At the moment, the firm has a staff of three hundred people.
Courvoisier is one of the largest companies. It exports annually 1.1 million bottles (13% of the market). The drink can be found in 160 countries: mainly in the UK, USA, Hong Kong, Japan, France and Italy.
Vineyards
The company does not have its own vineyards. Every 3 years, the company signs contracts with 1,200 vineyard owners, who then supply aged cognac, raw alcohol or wine. So, according to the contract, Courvoisier is the owner of products with a total account of 24,700 vineyards. Cognac is made from grapes of the best sub-regions: Petit Champagne, Borderies, Feng Bois and Grande Champagne. Ugni Blanc makes up 98% of the varieties used.
Courvoisier VS and VSOP cognacs contain about 1% caramel, which provides color uniformity to the drink. During its production, no wine pre-heater is used. Wine, depending on the season, is distilled with sediment, as well as without it. For example, in 1996, the sediment was removed in order to make cognac more complex. At the same time, drinks from Feng Bua are not removed from the sediment, since the alcohol of this subregion requires little exposure. Infusion on oak shavings (boise) is also not used, due to the choice of light styles of drinks that acquire the natural color of wood.
Excerpt
Oak grown in the forests of central France is used for aging of all varieties. This is explained simply - "Courvoisier" gives preference to fine-grained wood. The cognac master personally chooses a tree that is suitable for making barrels. To begin with, the wood must dry completely, which will take 3-4 years. Interestingly, dependingthe result that the masters want to achieve, alcohols are aged in new barrels for 6-24 months. Then it is poured into old barrels to complete maturation. Courvosier buys 2,000 barrels a year from 33 different coopers. The company has cognac storages of impressive size behind Zharnak. In this place, the barrels are stored upright for about 3 years.
Courvoisier cognac has a strength of 40 '. At the same time, the volume of reserve spirits is 86 million bottles. These spirits help maintain the style of cognacs every year. Cognac Courvoisier VS has received numerous prizes and awards.
Production
The company also owns its own trading house in Salignac. Cognac Courvoisier from here mainly goes to the North American market.
Besides this, the company has a factory that also produces local wine. It is sold in all markets in the UK, while in Germany it is supplied in bulk, serving as the base wine for making champagne.
Museum
TH "Courvoisier" created a museum. It contains various personal belongings of Napoleon: an overcoat, the famous cocked hat, a camisole and a lock of the ruler's hair. In this place, guests can get acquainted with the stages of cognac production: from growing grapes to distillation, from mixing spirits to making barrels. The oldest bottle of cognac is stored in the "cognac paradise" - paradise. It dates back to 1789. The museum also stores stocks of old spirits in large bottles braided with straw.
In 1988 the Bottle Design Committee started"Courvoisier". It was headed by Erte, a French artist. The first work was Vigne cognac, made from spirits in 1892. It was released in the amount of 12,000 bottles (6 other issues turned out to be the same volume). The artist had complete creative freedom in creating the design of each bottle. On its back side, he depicted with gold paint a grape leaf, which symbolizes the precious quality of the fruits that make up this cognac. It is worth noting that work on each bottle lasts about a month.
Among the best
Cognac Courvoisier (Cognac) for its existence has been awarded a large number of medals at exhibitions in France, as well as at world-class competitions. In addition, the drink is included in the top four cognacs on the planet, it is produced on a par with Remy Martin, Henness and Martel. For 2 centuries, it has retained all the glory and strength of quality French drinks. For the production of "Courvoisier" Ugni Blanc grapes are used, marked with the "Cru" category. At the same time, the aging of the drink lasts a long time, which was noted in the legislation of the country.
Views of "Courvoisier"
Courvoisier VS cognac (reviews about it can be found in the article below) has a fairly wide range and contains 8 varieties of the drink, different in aging, and this is quite a lot. So, drink V. S. has a clean light aroma, golden color, refined taste with hints of fresh flowers and fruits. This gamma is the result of aging alcohols inover a long period of time, which is much more than what is specified in the law for category VS drinks. It is pleasant and easy to drink, ideal for people who are just starting to get interested in cognacs. Exposure - up to twelve years.
Napoleon Fine Champagne
This drink is no ordinary cognac. It is the subject of special pride of the entire cognac house as a whole. As, in fact, and cognac Courvoisier XO. The drink was stopped at the beginning of the 20th century, and over time it became a true standard of quality. Its delicate aroma contains rather subtle notes of flowers, plums and port wine. This is the most classic and traditional version, aging up to 15 years.
V. S. O. P. Exclusif
This Courvoisier cognac combines bright modern emotions and primordial traditions. Cognac spirits brought from Feng Bua add notes of fresh fruit to it, which positively affects the unusual character of the drink. Spirits from Petit and Grand Champagne give it harmony and depth, and from Borderies - some exoticism, which is associated with the aroma of flowers unusual for us. Aged up to 12 years.
X. O. Imperial
This Courvoisier cognac has a blend of mature spirits brought from Petit Champagne, spirits of Grand Champagne, Borderies. The age of these alcohols is up to 35 years. This drink has a rich amber color, in its aroma there are notes of chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, fruits, dried apricots and honey. The taste of cognac is incredibly soft and refined, harmonious and velvety, with an interesting aftertaste. Atthis age of spirits reaches 35 years.
V. S. O. P. Fine Champagne
This drink is a Fin Champagne blend, in other words, a combination of spirits that were obtained in Petit Champagne and Grand Champagne. This cognac Courvoisier VSOP has only enthusiastic reviews - it has a noble amber color, distinguished by shades of mahogany and gold. The drink is characterized by aromas of honey, vanilla, ripe nuts and fruits. The taste of the drink in the mouth is revealed gradually, while expressing all the sophistication and sophistication.
Initiale Extra
This Courvoisier cognac has a blend of spirits aged in the forties of the XX century. It is an elite product that combines the velvety taste of fruits, cinnamon, vanilla, cigars, amber and flowers. The flavor upon opening is incredibly rich, slightly oily. The age of alcohols is about 60 years. At the moment, Courvoisier Exclusif VSOP is often used for all kinds of cocktails. He adds a unique extravagance and originality to them. Intense aroma, rich amber color and harmonious taste of the drink when used in its pure form make it unforgettable.
Cognac Courvoisier: reviews
Judging by the reviews, this is an excellent brandy with a surprisingly light and interesting taste. And the fact that today there are several types of it only adds points to it among consumers. Many note its exquisite taste, moreover, even the most inexpensive cognacs.company.
Over the long years of its existence, this drink has been able to win the recognition of a huge number of people, among whom both its ardent fans and collectors of rare and expensive bottles of this drink have appeared.
In Russia today it can also be purchased by anyone in almost any hypermarket or large liquor store.
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