Torula News May 1998

28/05/98	Finally! 22000 labels representing 1700 Cognac marks, 200 carafes, 300 glasses and many more items from a private collection of Paul Ronne are on display at the local library in Saint-Martial-sur-le-Né. Well done! Where was BNIC or City of Cognac to make this collection permanent and easier accessible to the visitors of the Cognac region? (Sud-Ouest/CM- 28/05/98)
17/05/98	Mr and Mrs Queron of Le Plantis des Vallées, introduced a full range of exciting new products; Cognac Nouveau Venu with a screw top as a base for long drink, 2 Pineaux (white and red) and Vin de Pays (Colombard and Cabernet Savignon).
16/05/98	Long awaited and much anticipated book on Cognac by Nicholas Faith has been delayed due to editorial disagreement according to the Torula News sources.
16/05/98	Cognac companies traded on the French Bourse showed significant advances led by Remy Cointreau group with 13% gain from previous week.
15/05/98	Christophe Navarre, President of Hennessy introduced 6 new cognacs with an emphatic statement: "Innovate...". Among them is the Pure White, young eau-de-vie to be experienced with ice. It is the first real attempt to compete with white spirits like gin and vodka. Great idea but what a terrible name, where were Hennessy marketing and PR people? So, when will we see Distillerie des Moisans' Extra Young Cognac, a white cognac, 12 months old approved?. (Le Tribune14/05/98)
14/05/98	Comite Colbert under the direction of Mme Dominique Heriard Debreuil (President of Rémy Martin) has opened an interactive exhibition in the Palais de la Decouverte under the title of "Theatre des Sens". Five senses go interactive on a variety of luxury products! But to real interact with Cognac visit Charentes! Great idea, great exhibition! (IHT12/05/98)
13/05/98	Any movements that attempt to ban alcohol and tobacco advertising should listen to Natalia Fonareva of the Anti-Monopoly Comittee in Russia: "The law should regulate not prohibit advertising". 2002 Winter Olympics Comittee in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA should pay attention to Ms. Fonareva' words!. (DIB 8/05/98)
10/05/98	Torula News does the first ever, as we know it, Cognac Houses visits ratings! Check it regularly until we finish all the visits. The best wins a Torula News price.
7/05/98	65 countries visited www.swfrance.com in April'98 representing a total of 13945 visitors. For the first time since September'97, Japan, China, Hong Kong and Thailand visitors have returned to this Cognac, Pineau des Charentes and Armagnac site. Is this the sign of Asian markets recovery?
02/05/98	Newly published proposal to reorganize Cognac producing industry (viticulture) offers compromises instead of bold action. It has "no passion and no momentum" as the headline in Charente Libre (02/05/98) pointedly noted. This is no time for comprimises, it is time for bold initiatives!