Torula News

a news service for Cognac and the region  edited by M. Andrew, F.I.J.E.V.

Tiffon, represented by Arcus and Brugerolle were selected as number 1 and 2 suppliers from 45 submitted Pineau des Charentes products in a recent tasting/selection for the Norwegian market.

The winners (Gold, Silver and Bronze medals) among Cognac VSOP and XO categories were Paul Beau, Drouet, Monnet, Gautier, HJ, Loizeau, Gibeau, Louis Royer, Francis Gacon, Cartais-Lamaure, Courvoisier, Jacques Petit and Claude Audebert. In the Pineau des Charentes segment there were so many medals awarded that it raises the question if there was an entry that did not get a medal. For further details click here.

In a rousing finale to an attendance breaking year 2000 tour visits at the Cognac Rémy Martin in Merpins, the Team MC Coates presented 3 days of Roquefort Cave Baragnaudes and chilled VSOP with it. Maître Affineur (Cheese Cellar Master) Maurice Astruc and Karine (one of the Rémy tour guides) dazzled us with nuances of tasting their products. And when Karine said: "...wine is a base of Cognac...", we knew we were in the right place.

This American invention, Halloween, spreads its charm at the Rémy shop in Merpins. After last year success, they have extended this extravaganza to a 2-day pumpkin pie party. A definite destination in the Cognac region.

"By John Thornhill and Juliana Ratner in London and Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson in New York - Oct 19 2000 00:00:00

Allied Domecq, the UK drinks group, still hopes to persuade Vin & Sprit, the owner of the Absolut vodka brand, to join its bid for Seagram's spirits business - in spite of the Swedish group's alliance with a rival bidding consortium.

Vin & Sprit, which has been seen as the "kingmaker" in the $7bn (£4.8bn) auction, joined forces with Bacardi and Brown-Forman to attend presentations by Seagram's drinks executives earlier this week.

However, analysts expect the state-owned Vin & Sprit to wait until the final stages of the auction before making its final decision on a partner.

Its decision may be crucial to the outcome of the auction because of the value of the Absolut brand, which Seagram currently distributes in the US.

Analysts estimate that a bidder could be prepared to pay between $700m-$800m for the Absolut distribution rights.

Saveurs de Poitou-Charentes 2000

The 2000 edition took place in La Rochelle in the newly converted Fish Market renamed Encan. Some 500 producers, professionals, press and amateur tasters have tested a variety of local products: butter, cheese, oysters, bread and, of course, Cognac, Pineau des Charentes and Vins de Pays Charentais. This correspondent shared the tasting jury duties at table 48 with the industry professionals. In the first round, we tested blended Vin de Pays Charentais Blanc (White). Overall quality of submitted samples improved significantly since last year and the jury awarded one Gold and 2 Bronze medals. In the second round, the jury awarded only 1 silver and 2 bronze medals in the blended Vin de Pays Charentais Rouge category. Here the quality of submitted samples was poor to average and shown no improvement over the past year.

Bottled water menu in the Cognac region

Following the trends in Paris and San Francisco, Auberge des Fins Bois in Rouillac is preparing a bottled water menu to be available in February 2001.

Sobering time for Liquor Industry in South Africa

Panafrican News Agency (October 16, 2000 Cape Town, South Africa) reports:

The South African liquor industry has emerged bruised but not beaten in a year of difficult trading as volumes fell once more and margins were squeezed, the Alcoholic Beverage Review said on Monday.

Trading conditions were extremely difficult in 1999/2000, says the Review, but the liquor industry could be cautiously optimistic about the year ahead, provided there is no downturn in the economy.

"The listed companies have shown resilience, posting solid results despite soft volumes and weak pricing," comments beverage analyst Ilan Stermer of Barnard, Jacobs and Mellet in an article in the Review. He cautions that much of the anticipated improvement is expected to arise from better economic conditions, although an economic recovery has been "patently absent" so far.

The most notable feature of the past year is the collapse of the brandy market, which has suffered a 25-percent fall in consumption in three years, and the unexpected decline in the demand for beer. Equally notable was the demand for both vodka, which grew by seven percent, and alcoholic fruit beverages, which saw a spectacular increase of 20 percent.

Bi-annual global food marketplace exhibition opened today in Paris under the heading of Le Sial 2000: Un Grand Cru. Wine and spirits products were present with a small contingent of Cognacs (i.e. Jules Doret from Louis Royer, Unicognac, Château Didonne, Lise Baccara, Maxim's line of Gabriel&Andreu, Pasquinet, Fauchon), some Pineaux, few Cognac based liqueurs and one or two Vins de Pays Charentais. One of the surprising discoveries was TKO Pure White, a whisky based product from Malta. Its aggressive marketing campaign stood above all other spirits. TKO Pure White vs. Hennessy Pure White; will they complement each other, will they confuse consumer or is there something in the name of Pure White?

The number 2 Cognac seller in the USA finished 2-day training of 12 Black (Afro-American) American women in Jarnac to be Cognac Courvoisier' flag bearers (Cognac Hip Hop reps?) in the coming season. The battle for some 50% of total sales of Cognac in the USA is heating up.

From the LVMH press release of 12/10/00: "Cognac Hennessy sales are up considerably, with very strong volume growth for VSOP and XO, particularly in American and Asian markets (China, Taiwan and Korea). In Japan, Hennessy Classique continues its development."

From various press and Torula News sources, late on 12/10/00: There are 3 groups which are starting the bidding at $7 billion. Bacardi-Martini and Brown-Forman joined forces to form one group while Diageo and Pernod Ricard are in group 2. Both groups are bidding against Allied Domecq that many feel is in the strongest position. The key to this bid is the position of V&S AB, the Swedish government company that holds the ace in form of Absolut Vodka distribution rights. They decided to wait out the first round of bidding before choosing a partner. So far, the only surprise was the statement by Seagram' executives confirming their ability to raise up to $8.2 billion for this buyout. The betting now is that Allied Domecq may win and will finance this transaction by selling their donuts and ice cream businesses. If this will be the outcome than Cognac Martell, as Allied Domecq already owns Cognac Courvoisier,  will be sold after the main transaction is concluded. In which case, Fortune Brands, makers of Jim Beam, will be the prime candidate for purchasing among other brands, Cognac Martell. This may have an impact on a few smaller Cognac producers that are being distributed through Jim Beam network. If Diageo wins, Cognac Martell has found a safe but aggressive brand developer. In case of Bacardi-Martini winning it, Martell would be sold as well, as Cognac Otard and Gaston de Lagrange are already in their stable. There are some who believe that merging Martell, Otard, Exshaw and Gaston de Lagrange is not out of question. As they come to the final stretch, it is believed that the race will be between Allied Domecq and Diageo. And the winner will be known by the end of November.

Results and commentary by Gerard Allemandou from 30/09/00 Cognac tasting at La Cagouille in Paris. For more click here. For up to date summary of year 2000 tasting at La Cagouille click here.

Between 28/09 and 10/10/00 www.cognacnet.com & www.swfrance.com users, readers and visitors experienced uneven service. This was due to a major technology upgrade at our service provider. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. We are now delivering our services faster and better.

Only 10 days left! Book early as the Night of Cognac, music and youth, is happening again on the 28th of October in Segonzac. Pierre Forgeron, a young viticulteur and founder of this excellent concept to promote Cognac and his band of young friends are building on the past success. To reserve call: +33 (0)5 45 83 37 77

After recent visits to Vietnam, BNIC executives are pursuing China where they are being wined, dined and honored. We hope it is a long term strategy that will benefit Cognac industry as the market in China is worth pursuing.

Smart diversification of 1894

When the phyloxera destroyed all of the vineyards around Echiré, 10km north-west from Niort in Poitou-Charente, local viticulteurs decided to buy cows and create Laiterie Cooperative d’Echiré, a diary coop. Today, under the guidance of Mr. Chartier and technical supervision of Mr. Veron, they produce 950 tons of AOC butter. Most of the work is done by hand. 85% of production is sold into French market with an almost equal division between wholesale, three stars restaurants and direct sales. The remaining 15% goes to export, primarily USA and Japan. It is the best butter according to several tastings, both consumer and professional. In the recent New York Times tasting, the Echiré butter won hands on. The last remaining connection to viticulture is the fact that Cooperage Radoux builds the butter churns from teakwood as it has strength and no tannin.

Among many words and paragraphs on the pending Seagram deal that are being written, we found this little gem: "Goran Sundqvist, CEO of Absolut, is playing waiting game. Withdrawing Absolut's distribution from the portfolio package (if the rumors are correct), strips$2 billion off the asking price and gives Allied Domecq (allegedly $2 billion short of the estimated $7 billion) a reasonable chance to trounce the Diageo/Pernod Ricard dream ticket". (AlcoholReviews.com)

From AP: WASHINGTON -- State prosecutors would gain new weapons to combat illegal interstate alcohol sales under legislation approved by the House on Friday. For more click here. Is Europe far behind?

Hennessy on top in the USA

Robert Bradford of Massachusetts Beverage Business in the USA writes: “Last year's major winners remain unchanged since my '98 accounting, only the numbers have become more impressive. Hennessy, once again, is leading the category with a spectacular 16.7% growth percentage. Indeed, its 1.26 million annual case total represents over half of all US cognac sales. Nearly as dramatic was the growth performance of #3 volume leader, Rémy Martin (345,000-cases), whose 15% volume increase, last year, continues to close the gap on #2 Courvoisier's 430,000-case totals. But Courvoisier, too, was able to show a commendable 5% sales advance, as well. And with a recent heavy Allied Domecq advertising investment behind the brand, for the first time, look for some strong new consumer awareness and significant advances for Courvoisier over the next couple of years.“

Click here for more and 3 interesting interviews with senior sales reps for Hennessy, Courvoisier and Rémy Martin.

Since late last week harvest machines and occasional pair of hands began grape harvest in all crus of the region. The bulk of the harvesting began this week. The grapes are high on sugar but low on acidity which will present a bit of challenge during this year's distillation. In Grande Champagne, this viticulteur was one of the early harvesters while Torula News did some manual harvesting at the Family Florant. Most of their vineyard is harvested mechanically but a small parcel is reserved for manual harvest. For the past 7 years several volunteers who come from Paris, Bordeaux and the region including a few viticulteurs, helped with the harvest. Their reward was a fabulous lunch and lots of conviviality led by the energetic Florant sisters. Book your bucket and cutters for the next year!

10/10/00

Women of Ragnaud-Sabourin create vintages 

Annie Sabourin, Denise Ragnaud and Cellar Master Daniel Dudognon (the only man at the estate) of Cognacs Ragnaud-Sabourin bring to the market 2200 bottles (50 cl.) of 1988 vintage. Patricia Sabourin-Rieff sells them. There are more vintages aging in their famous cellars. L'Esprit de Marcel Ragnaud is another gem from the women of Ragnaud-Sabourin. They offer only 135 bottles in the spirit (l'esprit) of husband, father and grandfather of the women from La Voûte in Grande Champagne.

Roquefort cheese and Cognac

Visit Rémy Martin during 18-20 October at the visitor tour center in Merpins to taste Roquefort and their Cognacs.

From www.tastings.com in Chicago

Comes a nice write-up on Cognac and old tasting results (1995-1999) of some 50 products in the new presentation. The editorial is titled “Luxury Cognacs, If you have to ask how much they cost...” is by Alan S. Dikty, dikty@tastings.com

Pure White Magic!

On a recent ferry boat ride between Rodby in Denmark and Puttgarden in Germany we noticed strong activities in the former Duty Free shop led by Alizé, Larson VS and XO and Martell VS. But it was in the dinning room that all were ordering Lobster soup with Cognac making the point that Cognac is experienced in more than one way in the Northern Europe. For the recipe check Andrée Marik' book, Cooking with Cognac.

They drink Cognac in Moscow, again

Debating brandy

In the September 2000 issue of Wine & Spirit International you can read lively quotations from the leading Cognac personalities on the state of Cognac and brandy. The winner is: “The Scots have known how to develop a range, with mixers at one end and single malts at the other. Well done, them. I’m jealous. We should follow their lead,” says Jacques Lacroux of Château Paulet (owner of Premier XO brandy). Instead following Scotch Whisky example, how about clearing up confusion between Cognac and brandy (a role for BNIC to play?), develop and build existing brands and do not forget that both products are related to wine, a proud and important relationship that Cognac and brandy industry is forgetting in their marketing efforts.

New boss at Comite du Pineau des Charentes

Claire Floch has been appointed, effective 2 January 2001, to replace Christophe Thomas, the successful Director of the CNPC (Pineaux Producers Association). He is moving to bigger and more challenging position within the Intermarche supermarket chain, gaining additional experience prior to returning to his family business at Château Beaulon.  

Considered the best in Sweden and one of the best in Scandinavia has disappointed us at a recent dinner when it came to tasting Cognacs. Sommelier knew next to nothing about Cognac. When we did sample 1935 Delamain (a clear winner scoring 9/10), his other offerings of L'Heraud Cuvée 10 (scoring 5/10) and Grönstedt 1973 Milléssime (scoring 4/10) paled in comparison. The explanation we were given is that the restaurant is separate from the hotel and the bar. But that is not real excuse for lacking knowledge and having rather poor Cognac selection.

And now we know

A great book landed on our desk recently, “A la rencontre des lieux-dits du Pays de Matha”. It describes the origins of all villages making a part of community of Matha. So, know we know the 820 AD origin of La Pinelle (from where some of the Torula News originates), Neuvicq le Château with its 15^th century château and a nearby Fief des Brousses, of Gallic origin, but today the center of Cognac tasting expertise. But it is in Fresneau, where the driving force behind the book lives, that we pay most respect. Click here to view Mr. Egreteau' cover drawing. Both he and Torula News correspondent are proud to be Haimpsois.

.Torula News logo courtesy of Marie Claire Pajeile.

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C20 May 2001                                                                   Copyright © 2000 Lusina ISG, Inc.