Emmanuel Courvoisier, while in Paris (early 19th century), met with Louis Galois, a successful wine merchant. They began to deliver brandy to the imperial court. Their stores in 1811 visited Napoleon. The company supplied him with cognac during the military campaigns. In addition, Courvoisier was on the ship that Napoleon took away in reference to Fr. Saint Helena. Thanks to this cognac French Courvoisier became known as "Napoleon's brandy." At the moment, the silhouette of the emperor can be found on all the labels of the brand.
In 1835, the sons of the owners of the company created their own enterprise, whose headquarters was in Zharnak. After 34 years, the Courvoisier house received the status of the supplier of the courtyard of the legendary Napoleon III.
After 50 years, the company was bought by Georges and Guy Simon. In 1960, Courvoisier cognac began to be sold in matt glass bottles . After 4 years, Hyrum Walker bought the company, and then Allied-Lyons, which after the expansion changed its name to Allied-Domecq. At present, the company employs three hundred people.
Courvoisier is one of the largest companies. It exports annually 1.1 million bottles (13% of the market). The drink can be found in 160 countries: mainly in the UK, USA, Hong Kong, Japan, France and Italy.
Vineyards
The company does not have its own vineyards. Once every 3 years, the company signs contracts with 1200 owners of vineyards, which then supply aged cognac, raw alcohol or wine. Thus, under the contract, Courvoisier is the owner of the products with a total account of 24,700 vineyards. Cognac is made from the grapes of the best subregions: Petit Champagne, Borderi, Feng Bois and Grand Champagne. Uni Blanc at the same time accounts for 98% of the varieties used.
About 1% caramel is added to Courvoisier VS and VSOP cognac, which provides the drink with color uniformity. During its production, a wine preheater is not used. Wine, depending on the season, is distilled with sediment, as well as without it. For example, in 1996, sediment was removed to make cognac more complex. At the same time, drinks from Feng Bois are not removed from the sediment, since the alcohol in this subregion requires a short exposure. Insisting on oak shavings (bouise) is also not applied, which is explained by the choice of light styles of drinks acquiring the natural color of wood.
Excerpt
For aging all varieties of oak is used, grown in the forests of central France. This is explained simply - Courvoisier prefers fine-grained wood. Cognac master personally chooses a tree that is suitable for making barrels. To begin with, the wood must dry completely, which will take 3-4 years. Interestingly, depending on the result that the master wants to achieve, in new barrels the spirits are aged 6-24 months. Then it is poured into old barrels - to complete ripening. Courvoisier buys 2,000 barrels annually in 33 different barrels. The company has impressive cognac storages beyond Zharnak. At this point, the barrels are stored in an upright position for about 3 years.
Cognac Courvoisier has a fortress of 40 '. The volume of reserve alcohols is 86 million bottles. These alcohols help maintain brandy style every year. Cognac Courvoisier VS was awarded repeatedly various prizes and awards.
Production
The company also owns its own AP in Salignac. Cognac Courvoisier from here mainly goes to the North American market.
In addition, the company has a factory that produces local wine. It is sold in all markets in the UK, while it is delivered to Germany in bulk, serving as the base wine for making champagne.
Museum
TD Courvoisier created a museum. It stores various personal items of Napoleon: an overcoat, the famous cocked hat, camisole and a lock of hair of the ruler. At this place, guests can familiarize themselves with the stages of brandy production: from growing grapes to distillation, from mixing spirits to making barrels. The oldest bottle of cognac is stored in the "cognac paradise" - a paradise. It dates back to 1789. The museum also stores reserves of old alcohols in large bottles braided with straw.
In 1988, the Courvoisier bottle design committee began to work. He was led by Erte, a French artist. The first work was Vigne cognac, made from alcohols in 1892. It was produced in a volume of 12,000 bottles (6 other issues turned out to be of the same volume). The artist had complete creative freedom in creating the design of each bottle. On its back, he painted a vine leaf with golden paint , which symbolizes the precious quality of the fruits that make up this cognac. It is worth noting that work on each bottle lasts about a month.
Among the best
Cognac Courvoisier (Cognac) for its existence has been awarded a large number of medals at exhibitions in France, as well as at world-class competitions. In addition, the drink is included in the top four of the world's best cognacs ; it is produced on the same level as Remy Martin, Henness and Martel. For 2 centuries, it retains all the glory and power of quality French drinks. For the production of Courvoisier, Uni Blanc grapes are used, marked with the Cru category. At the same time, the aging of the drink lasts a long time, which was noted in the legislation of the country.
Types of Courvoisier
Cognac Courvoisier VS (reviews about it can be read in the article below) has a fairly extensive range and contains 8 varieties of the drink, different in exposure, and this is quite a lot. So, VS drink has a clean, light aroma, golden color, sophisticated taste with notes of fresh flowers and fruits. This gamut is the result of long-term aging of alcohols, which is much more than what is specified in the law for drinks of category VS. It is pleasant and easy to drink, ideal for people who are just starting to become interested in cognac. Exposure - up to twelve years.
Napoleon Fine Champagne
This drink is not an ordinary cognac. It is a special pride of the entire cognac house as a whole. As, in fact, cognac Courvoisier XO. The drink was stopped at the beginning of the 20th century, and over time it became a true standard of quality. Its delicate aroma contains quite subtle notes of flowers, plums and port. This is the most classic and traditional version, the exposure of which reaches 15 years.
VSOP Exclusif
This cognac Courvoisier combines vibrant modern emotions and original traditions. Cognac spirits brought from Feng Bois add notes of fresh fruit to it, which positively affects the unusual character of the drink. Alcohols from Petit and Gran Champagne give it harmony and depth, and from Borderie - some exoticism, which is associated with the aroma of unusual colors for us. Exposure reaches 12 years.
Xo imperial
This Courvoisier cognac has a blend of mature spirits brought from Petit Champagne, Gran Champagne spirits, Borderi. The age of these alcohols is up to 35 years. This drink has a rich amber color, in its aroma notes of chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, fruit, dried apricots and honey are felt. The taste of cognac is incredibly soft and sophisticated, harmonious and velvety, has an interesting aftertaste. In this case, the age of alcohols reaches 35 years.
VSOP Fine Champagne
This drink is a blend of Fin Champagne, in other words, the combination of spirits that were obtained in Petit Champagne and in Gran Champagne. This cognac Courvoisier VSOP reviews is only enthusiastic - it has an amber noble color, different shades of mahogany and gold. The aroma of honey, vanilla, ripe nuts and fruits are characteristic of the drink. The taste of the drink in the mouth is revealed gradually, while expressing all the sophistication and sophistication.
Initiale extra
This Courvoisier cognac has a blend of alcohols laid down for aging in the forties of the XX century. It is an elite product that combines the velvety taste of fruits, cinnamon, vanilla, cigars, ambergris and flowers. The taste at opening is incredibly rich, slightly oily. Moreover, the age of alcohols is about 60 years. At the moment, Courvoisier Exclusif VSOP is often used for all kinds of cocktails. He adds unique extravagance and originality to them. The rich aroma, rich amber color and harmonious taste of the drink when applied in its pure form make it unforgettable.
Cognac Courvoisier: reviews
Judging by the reviews, this is an excellent cognac with a surprisingly light and interesting taste. And the fact that today there are several types of it only adds points to it among consumers. Many note its exquisite taste, even of the company's most inexpensive cognacs.
Over the long years of its existence, this drink was able to gain recognition of a huge number of people, among whom there were its ardent fans and collectors of rare and expensive bottles of this drink.
In Russia today, anyone can also purchase it in almost any hypermarket or large alcoholic beverage store.