Domaine du Chêne

In our quest for a small cognac/pineau distiller we were directed to Domaine du Chene. There are over 2000 producers in Cognac but this one was a gem! Yannis Chérat, who is responsible for product and sales, took care of us with a full tour from the grapes on the vines through the distilling process and aging to the finished products in the bottles. Yannis is passionate about his work and a wonderful ambassador for the cognac.

The vineyard property is 51 hectares in size with 55% Ugni Blanc, 40% Colombard, 5% Montils, 5% White merlot.

Pineau des Charentes
We tasted the 6 year old white Pineau which is made from 60% Ugni Blanc old vines, Pineau des Charentes - 12 year old Gold medal 2005 at "concours agricole de Paris" Old or Vieux Pineau is a white Pineau, aged 12 years in oak cask. The colour of this old Pineau is rich, brilliant, and intense with reflections of copper. It is a product of long and careful ageing, as its aromas of dried fruits, nuts, and almond. It has a very sought after rancio flavour. Its very round and persevering flavour offers notes of apricot and acacia honey. Magnificent. Exceptionnel !

Domaine du Chêne Cognac
Today the distillery benefits from the foresight of Jean Doussoux who had the policy of putting a portion of the production aside in the cellars. Beautifully aged fine cognacs of over 50 years old are presently available for purchase.

Domaine du Chêne Jean Doussoux X.O. nº20 Cognac

We were fortunate to sample Yannis’s “favourite” cognac a 20 year old XO cognac. This cognac is delightful and like a woman of the world, at home in any company. Pour it into a glass, as I am doing as I write! And your senses are hit by the aromas of the woodlands, taste and your mouth fills with firstly ripe fruit followed by tones of spices sandalwood, saffron, nutmeg and cinnamon. The long aftertaste is sweet and mellow—absolutely delightful!

Domaine du Chêne Jean Doussoux X.O. nº50 Cognac

We tasted a 50 year old Domaine du Chêne Jean Doussoux X.O. nº50 Cognac. If you appreciate things of beauty like classic cars such as Rolls Royce then this cognac is in the same class—to taste it was an exceptional experience ad best enjoyed after a week or a lifetime of work when it is time to reflect and enjoy.

Thank you Yannis for an earth-moving experience!

Château de BEAULON

17240 St Dizant du Gua, France
Contact: Isabelle and Thierry DAULHIAC
Tel : +33 (0)5 46 49 96 13 Fax : +33 (0)5 46 49 94 96
Email :
E-mail: info@chateau-de-beaulon.com
Website : http://Château-de-Beaulon.com

A medium sized world-class distillery with five centuries of tradition behind it and today renown for producing world-class cognac and outstanding Pineau. The distillery is situated at Lorignac on the D730. Chateau de Beaulon has spurned the current practice of using Ugni Blanc and strictly adheres to using the original grape varieties of Folle Banche, Colombard and Montils in traditional proportions.

I was privileged to spend time with Martial Deslande at the distillery where I sampled a number of fine cognacs including an outstanding cognac—

Château de Beaulon XO Vintage 1971

J. Claude Charbonneau

chez Piché 17610 Chérac
Contact: Martine Charbonne
Tel:+33 (0)5 46 96 30 84 E-mail:
E-mail: fermedchezpiche@orange.fr

On the D 141 between Saintes and Cognac you will see signs for a number of Pineau/Cognac producers. We recommend “Chez Piche” so look for the signpost CHARBONNEAU near Cherac. Martine Charbonneau is a charming, English speaking hostess and she will make you most welcome. They produce a very good Merlot Rouge and a Sauvignon Blanc however they specialise in excellent Pineau and Cognac at very reasonable prices. You are welcome to taste and purchase directly. Marine also operates a B&B so you sleep and drink on the same site!

Mansion Charbonneau Pineau des Charente

Hennessy Cognac

For visitors with limited time and/or only a passing interest in Cognac then a tour of one of the large international Cognac houses, can be recommended. These tours are very educational and extremely well organised. I choose to do the Hennessy being one of the original four traders who recognised the potential of Brandy back in 1765. Moet-Hennessy and Louis Vuitton are now a large international company.

To the tour, you have a short boat trip up the river then to the opposite bank to where warehouses have been converted into an outstanding display. The audio-visual elements are of the highest standard and certainly educate and inform so that you get a great insight into the growing of grapes and the whole production cycle from the soil to the bottle. The tour concludes with a tasting (note: the particular ticket you buy entitles you to either the cheapest or the expensive cognac) and an opportunity to purchase Hennessy cognac.

In summary: An incredible educational museum experience, but for myself I prefer the personal interaction with the winemaker and distiller

Domaine de PONCEREAU de HAUT

17120 Epargnes

There are not a lot of wine-only producers in Cognac, so finding an small outstanding producer with an excellent range of new-world style ready to drink blanc, rose and rouge wines was to strike “gold”. We sampled and purchased the following wines:

Vin de pays Charentais Vin Blanc
Clombard, Ugni Blanc, Chenin blend. A light lively wine with floral tones and a slightly acid finish—perfect with oysters.

2006 Cuvee Ophelie
A classy Sauvignon Blanc with excellent bouquet (mint & capsicum) Long intense taste of melons and tropical fruits.

2005 Cuvee Florian
A big Bordeaux style with 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6 months in oak barrels. An exceptional wine and steal at 4.10 euros!

2006 Cuvee Ludovic
We have tasted numerous Cabernet Francs in the Loire and I must say that this wine could stand up with the best of them. A bouquet of fresh berry fruits and a delicate fresh taste of strawberries and cherries.