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Torula NewsGlobal News & Headlines |
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Torula NewsGlobal News & Headlines |
March 1999
| 31/03/99 | Le Moulin de Marcouze, hotel and restaurant in the Cognac region, re-opens on 1 April 1999. After a winter break and many successes of Chef Bouchet in Paris at the Hotel Crillon and in Asia, the exellence in cooking and the top stars hospitality is back. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 30/03/99 | A new association "Charentes viticole" has been organized to assist in the diversification of the viticulteurs. It is led by Jean-Louis Brillet and has a 400 strong membership. Its goals are noble and ambitious and it has a strong governmental support led by "Madame Diversification" Danièle Bellivier. At the same time during the recently concluded Film Festival, no vin des pays Charentais (one of the diversification options) were served. What is needed is a major marketing and promotion effort for all local wine based products; Cognac, Pineau des Charentes and Vin des Pays Charentais. It must be global in reach and not like Pineau (dropped the USA campaign recently) or Cognac (sudden concentration on French markets through Bouilleurs du Cru association) that are suddenly looking inward. (CL, Sud-Ouest, Torula News) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 30/0399 | 17th Festival du Film Policier de Cognac concluded on an American note; 5 out of 7 prizes were won by American artists. This seems to reflect world wide Cognac market with American segment leading the rest of the world by a significant margin. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 28/03/99 | Recently published Michelin Guide reconfirmed 6 stars for Alain Ducasse, 3 each for his two restaurants in Monte Carlo and Paris. Here is a list of Cognacs available at Alain Ducasse, Paris: Rémy Martin VSOP, XO, Louis XIII, Hennessy VSOP, Paradis, Nº1, A. de Fussigny Héritage lot 102, Fine Champagne, Très Vieille Grande Champagne, Moyet Très Vieille Fine, Audry Très Vieux Fins Bois, Léopold Gourmel Age du Fruit, Age des Fleurs, Age des Epices, Croizet 1914, 1967, Les Antiquaires du Cognac Grande Champagne, Frapin VIP XO, Hine 1967, 1976, 1972, 1965, 1961, 1960, 1957, 1953, Family Reserve, A.E. Dor Nº6 through 11, Dudognon Réserves des Ancêstres 30 and 50 years, Delamain Très Vénérables 1960, 1949 and 1935, Très Vieille Réserve Famille. An eclectic selection. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 27/03/99 | Bernard Guionnet's Presidency of BNIC is 100 days old but other than the current Film Festival in Cognac and positive signals from the Japanese market, there is not much to celebrate. Big Cognac Houses like Courvoisier or Martell recommend diversification to the viticulteurs, BNIC promotions continue to be inward towards the domestic market (less than 3% of Cognac is consumed in France), unions are restless and the local market is flooded with sub-quality Cognacs with strange names like "Ilegal". | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 25/03/99 | Cognac Laurent Merlin of Petite Champagne cru debuts on Internet. Following in the footsteps of her father, Carmen Merlin continues tradition of high quality, patient aging and slow expansion of the products line with a VSOP this year. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 24/03/99 | Alain Royer of Cognac A. de Fussigny blazes the trail. Again! New VSOP and more importantly new product; Ebony Blend. This VSOP quality blend (10-12 years of age) is an excellent example what can be and should be done to develop new market opportunities for Cognac. With the motto "The Spirit of the Oak" this blend is outstanding in its category. Torula News rates it 10/10; plethora of aromas with strong presence of chocolate, spice and smoky woods is supported by tastes of honey, hint of sunflowers and roasted coffee beans. As expected from A. de Fussigny, it is very well packaged. Click here for tasting notes. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 24/03/99 | 17th Festival du Film Policier de Cognac opens today. Until Sunday, 28/03, Town of Cognac will be in a festive mood. Torula News received an unofficial Film Festival poster titled "Claire fait son festival" - a tongue'n'cheek homage to BNIC and Claire Coates, Director of Communication at BNIC and a strong advocate of the Festival. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 22/03/99 | Charles Neal recently published a fabulous book
on Armagnac. "Armagnac, The Definitive Guide to France's
Premier Brandy" was published in the US by Flame Grape Press. The
distributor is The Wine Appreciation Guild. More information can be had about the
book by contacting this website: http://www.charlesnealselections.com. The book was released in January 1999 and the BNIA has additional information. You can contact the writer at info@charlesnealselections.com. |
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| 20/03/99 | LVMH, a parent of Cognac Hennessy, continues its buying spree (i.e. Gant) while Cognac Hennessy registers 12% drop in sales in Japan offset by a 14% increase in volume in the USA. With its Hennessy 2001plan well underway, the company looks to a further improvement in its performance, expecting to better 15,000 cases shipped of new Cognac products (Kenzo, Pure White etc.) in 1998. (CL19/03/99, SudOuest19/03/99, Torula News) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 19/03/99 | Internet Fiesta begins 3 days of celebrations. About 100 Cognac producers, 20 Armagnac producers, 65 Pineau des Charentes producers have presence on the Internet. Devenez un cybercitoyen, votez en ligne : une première expérience française "Loi de l'Internet : un espace de citoyenneté mondiale à conquérir" Participez au Parlement virtuel les 19 et 20 mars 1999 Voter et suivre les débats : www.loi-internet.org | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 17/03/99 | Armagnac exports clearly affected by the Asian crisis; 5.1 million bottles were exported in 1998 vs. 6.3 million in 1997. Overall bottles production increased slightly. UK became a major consumer replacing Japan at the top with the USA registering a major drop in Armagnac purchases. For full details click here. (BNIA) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 16/03/99 | Recent additions and updates on www.swfrance.com : February viewer stats, Cognac tasting notes: Gerus from Germany & Mac's tasting course notes, Cognac Tonik! and Town Markets schedule in the region. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 15/03/99 | CNN comments on the status of Duty Free in Euro zone of EC:"The remaining 4 EU finance ministers from the non-Euro-zone countries are due to join the meeting to re-examine whether to grant a last-minute reprieve to duty-free sales, due to be scrapped on July 1. But any change to the 1991 decision would require a unanimous vote by the 15 governments and some, notably Denmark, are fiercely opposed to an extension.The executive Commission is also hostile, believing duty-free sales distort the concept of a level playing field across the EU's single market. "It looks like a never-ending story, doesn't it? But it must end, and it will end," Internal Market Commissioner Mario Monti said Monday". Torula News agrees with Commissioner Monti. (CNN 15/03/99) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 13/03/99 | Millésime 1998 Prix Carentonous has been awarded to: La Garden Party de l'Elysée (14 July 1998) and Le Salon de la Littérature européenne in Cognac (November 1998) by the distinguished jury led by Christian Delage of the Cognac Tonique Association. The selection was made from the 12 nominations (Cognac-tonic at the National Assembly, Le prix Cognac Tonic, XO Magazine, La Fête du Pays du Cognac, Magazine Cognac Tonik!, Blues Passion Festival, La Nuit du Cognac, Le Concours Saveurs Poitou-Charentes, La Maison Blanche and Les Bouilleurs de Cru-Montparnasse.The prize is given in the recognition of Cognac promotion efforts in France and is sponsored by Cognac Paul Giraud, Cognac Frapin, Cognac J.R. Brillet, Moine Brothers, Charpentron, the Mayor of Cognac and others. Torula News conducted an independent poll among the participants at the prize awarding ceremonies with the following results: 1. La Garden Party de l'Elysée, 2. Les Bouilleurs de Cru-Montparnasse 3.La Nuit du Cognac. Like with Oscars, Cesars and other jury prize awards, this one came close to matching public sentiments. A noble effort in promoting Cognac. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 13/03/99 | After a quiet opening in June'99, Cognac Larsen retail shop in Cognac (near the train station), is now in full operation having attracted more than 5000 visitors from around the world todate. Full range of Larsen products is available at very attractive prices. Posters, pins and special commemorative glasses are also available. A pleasant addition to Cognac shops where you can meet Larsens themselves; Nicolas, Frédéric or Jean on any day. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 13/03/99 | Top 10 Cognac brands as rated by the customers at
Oslo's Bar 1 in
January-February 1999 (price is in NOK/drink):
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| 13/03/99 | From the PR Network: "Almost 80 million U.S. adults, some 38 percent of the population age 16 and over, now have Internet access, according to Intelliquest. And an additional 18.8 million will go online in the coming year. An estimated 60 percent of these users shop online, while 20 percent actually purchase something. Intelliquest estimates 36 percent of U.S. Internet users have a college degree, compared with 46 percent in 1996. Details: http://www.intelliquest.com/press/release72.asp" With poor export pricing concept, bad logistics, expensive transport fees and complicated laws governing sale of spirits across the borders, a successful model of selling Cognac or Armagnac on the Internet is still to be developed. Among more successful attempts at this is www.calvados.de. In the next 3-5 months, we will see another series of new Internet web sites selling Cognac and Armagnac. But the proper model of selling spirits on the Internet world wide will remain elusive for some time to come. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/03/99 | Cognac Hennessy on the offensive, introduces high quality XO Grande Champagne. It is clearly one of their best products among the recent introductions. Strong floral aromas, hint of smoke, round and long with just enough rancio charentaise to make it interesting. A very good if somewhat high priced product. The outstanding XO decanter reminds us of a 50th anniversary of its creation by Gerald de Geoffre. On the Torula News tasting scale it gets 8 out of 10.Under Jean Marc Granger direction newly reorganized Hennessy store La Boutique des Quais Hennessy looks and feels much better; the clutter is gone and the Cognac rules as it should. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/03/99 | Millésime 1998 Prix Carentonous to be awarded today. All eyes and ears in the Cognac region are focused on it. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/03/99 | "French brandies are like zodiac signs: Some fit some personalities;others, others. If you're the lusty, brash, headstrong type, Dr. Wine knows which one's best for you." Click here for more: http://sidewalkapps.com/rd.asp?id=8439&x=DrWine | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/03/99 | Cognac in Oslo 12- 18 April 1999 at Bar 1, Aker Brygge. Tasting new products in the Norwegian market: Cognac Boutinet, Cognac François Voyer, Cognac Louis Bouron and a special surprises from Jean Luc Chevrou! Tasting starts from 17:00 every day. Come and visit! A special painting exhibition from the Cognac region by Marie Claire Pajeile. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 09/03/99 | World wide wine imports more than doubled in 1998 in to Japan signaling end of the financial crisis but also a change in drinking habits. The value of imported wine exceeded $1.4 billion. France was the top exporter, with a 32.9 % market share. Next were Italy, with 14.7 %, Chile with 9.7 % and the USA with a market share of 7.4 % led by California wines. Key question is: "Will this trend benefit Cognac?" (CNN04/03/Torula News) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 09/03/99 | Cave Particulières and its 70plus members in the Cognac region gear up for active promotion using their distinctive logo on the bottles. New Presidential elections are scheduled for the early April'99 with Paul Giraud of Cognac Paul Giraud holding a commanding lead. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 06/03/99 | Lots of new additions about Cognac, Armagnac and Brandy can be found at John Robert's rare and out of print wine and spirits books on the Internet.Some dated from 1930s. Worth a visit. Click here. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 05/03/99 | TWIX gains 4.64% over previous week led by surge in stock prices of companies owning Cognac production. One exception was a Rémy Cointreau (parent of Rémy Martin) stock falling 3.78%. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 03/03/99 | Led by the thirsty British, this time, European Commission (EU) begins to waver on elimination of the Duty Free by June 1999. Tony Blair, Prime Minister of Britain, said recently: "It is sensible to have some form of extension so we can put in place a proper and sensible successor regime". What the British Prime Minister forgot that he and the others had since 1991 to do just that. He is, of course, supported by the French and German governments with only Danish standing firm for the abolition of the Duty Free within EU. We will repeat what is clearly stated in the EU report on the Duty Free: "... the price advantage is often relatively small or even nonexistent...". Abolish it, free the tax revenue because the job losses are truly negligible. Use the tax revenue to create real jobs. Most of the Cognac industry, as reported here earlier, has already made provisions. (IHT01/03/99;Torula News) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 03/03/99 | Once again Bouilleurs du Cru with their Alambic-Expo (on the wheels) lead the Cognac industry in promoting it in France. This time at the 1999 Agriculture Show in Paris. When will we see them on the European roads? The preoccupation with Cognac Cocktails (i.e. with Tonic) is a temporary phenomena that over a long time could be detrimental to the Cognac industry. The world is and will always drink Cognac straight! The positive 1998 sales figures from the USA, Canada, Ireland confirm that. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/03/99 | Following in the footsteps of her father, Laurent Merlin of Laurent Merlin Petite Champagne Cognacs, his daughter Carmen continues tradition of excellence and quality. Maison Merlin has recently introduces a VSOP (of about 7 years old) in addition to their 1920 Vintage and fifty year old Petite Champagne blend known as Hors Pair. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/03/99 | Pineau and Cognac Henri Joly continues to prosper under direction and management of Corinne Mougenot of édico, SARL company. Full line of Cognacs and Pineau des Charentes including Vieux Blanc is available. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/03/99 | Among the winners at the 1999 Salon d'Agriculture in Paris for Armagnac and Pineau des Charentes were: For Armagnac: Domaine des Cassagnoles, Cointreau-Clès des Ducs, Château de Tariquet, Marcel Trepout, Duffau, Domaine d'Ognoas, Gelas et Fils, Baut Baron, Château de Pellehaut, Domaine de Mons, Château de Laubade, Armagnac de Castefort, Ferme de Gagnet, Cave des Producteurs du Bas-Armagnac, Georgacaracos and Société des Prodits d'Armagnac. For Pineau: Michel Baron, Jousseaume, Roussille, Terigeol, Brard-Blanchard, Henri Geffard, Bel Ange, Pierre Gaillard, Château-Guynot, Simmonot, Doussoux Baillif, J-P. Menard, Dominique Chainier, Coop des Vignerons de l'Ile de Ré, Vignerons Côtes Saintonge, Jean-René Batard, GAEC des Deux Champagne, Sarl Drouet, Château Saint Sorlin and René Jobet. For details click here. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Global News for: March'99 February'99 January'99 1998 |
| Cognac | Pineau des Charentes | Armagnac | Brandy |
| Buy on Internet | Vin de Pays Charentais | Hotel Restaurants | Tourism |
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