RECIPE


JOIE DE VIVRE THE MAIN STEPS IN A TASTING


SIGHT It all begins with observation. Hold your glass by its base and examine it in the light. The cognac should be gleaming and transparent. The color can vary from pale gold to dark amber. The colour is determined by the oak barrels in which the cognacs are aged, not merely the length of the aging process.


THE NOSE Before sipping the cognac, it is important to take time to savour the aromas rising from the glass. Bring it slowly to your nose at just the right distance for appreciating all the subtleties of this nectar. Above all, don’t shake it or the fragile, volatile aromas could be released too quickly. Inhale deeply. You will then perceive the fruity, fl oral, spicy, and even woody notes.


THE PALATE Cognac is tasted in small sips. Swish the fi rst one in your mouth, so that it coats the palate. The second sip involves ‘chewing’ the cognac to release its aromas. Take a bit more time with this step. Once you’ve swallowed this sip, place you tongue on your palate to detect even more aromas.


WHAT YOU FEEL The experience is unique and will diff er depending on the type of cognac tasted and on everything that precedes the tasting. Let’s start with the fi rst perceptions and the light notes of peach and apricot. These are followed by those of vanilla, primarily deriving from the barrel, creating a perfect harmony of fruity and woody notes. A sensation of sweetness emerges with the second sip, underscored by the aromas of fruit. And fi nally, for our best-quality cognacs, there will be woody aromas of mushroom and spices that impart a signature depth to cognac. The journey sometimes ends with the persistent scent of wax and walnut, which can linger in the mouth.


FOUR TIPS FOR CORRECT TASTING  Use a ‘cellar master’ or tulip glass.  Pour the cognac 10 to 15 minutes prior to tasting.  Serve it at room temperature, between 18°C and 20°C.  Take your time.


Extracted from The Spirit of Cognac Rémy Martin: 300 Years of Savoir Faire by Thomas Laurenceau (Flammarion, 2023). Photographs by Harry Gruyaert. Illustrations by Julia Perrin.


FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: November/December 2023 109


© JULIA PERRIN


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