Cognac is a french commune located in the Charente department famous for being the origin of the brandy that names it. Last week Josep Mª Gotarda traveled to the area along with a team of barmans from different parts of Europe (from Stockholm to Paris and Spain in-between) to visit the most famous châteaux and to take part not only in the process of making the cognac but also to do some cognac tasting.
The first distillery they visited was the Merlet & Fils, the famous distillery Merlet has been operating since 1850 and it’s worldwide reknown for being the creator of the Merlet Cognac, Gotarda and his pals had the chance to visit the barrels where the cognac is aged, which are more than a hundred years old and are nowadays true relics, as well as the classical alembics and vineyards that surround the place. Moreover they could take part in a special cognac tasting organized by Luc Merlet, owner of the château.
Cognac region is not only famous by its brandy, it’s also known for having a wide range of oysters and the team was able to visit the Cognac & Cherac market where they could taste the different kinds of oysters they offer as well as other typical products of the area.
We leave you here a selection of pictures of the travel
Classical building of the Cognac region
The Merlet château dates from 1850 and it’s the home of Luc Merlet, its owner, his family and right next to it there’s the whole factory where Merlet is created.
Centenarian barrels and classic alembics are crucial for the making of this cognac
The spanish team about to taste the different cognacs
The wide offer of oysters at the Cognac & Cherac market
Taking part in the vintage
If you want to enjoy a good cognac after seeing all of this at Ideal we’ll be pleased to serve you the best one around.