REMY MARTIN 1989 COGNAC-ONE FOR THE AGES

By Michael Hepworth

Cognac drinkers in the USA are in for a treat with the launch of the 1989 vintage in September at the RRP of $300 per bottle. I tasted a sample recently of this very potent vintage blend, with a hint of figs and other fruits. At 45% alcohol by volume, you will love this superb Remy Martin Cognac , either neat or on ice. Suggested foods to enjoy with this treat are canapés and tapas, or creamy desserts such as buttermilk or Panna Cotta.  For those on a tighter budget, V.S.O.P. Remy Martin has come out with a limited edition bottle created by photographer David LaChapelle to reinterpret the famous green-frosted bottle. Only 150,000 of these bottles have been produced with the top selling Cognac in the USA .

Getting back to the 1989 vintage, that is also going to be a very limited edition, since in the world of Cognac , 1989 was apparently a very special year. What a great ending to a meal this Cognac offers, with its many flavors and a great burning feeling in the palate. This will be selling for about $40 a shot in the top bars in New York .  The requirements needed to produce a vintage Cognac like this are stringent. One example is the fact that the casks made out of Limousin Oak from one selected forest in France must be kept under lock and key for a specified period of time ( 18 years in this case). They could only be tasted once a year under the supervision of the BNIC (cognac’s governing body),

Rare grapes from the most sought after vineyards must be used, and the fact that the weather in 1989 was perfect with low rainfall helped the growth of these robust grapes. By the third week of September the Ugni Blanc grapes were ready for picking, a month ahead of schedule.

Cocktails We Like

Melon Baller-2 oz Remy Martin V.S.O.P, ¾ cup fresh watermelon, ¾ oz simple syrup.

Muddle and strain watermelon. Add watermelon juice w/syrup to a cocktail shaker. Add Remy Martin VSOP and ice. Shake well and strain into a martini glass.  Created by mixologist Ugo Jobin.

Website: www.remymartin.com