Cognac and Chocolate Have Many Things in Common

Chocolate Assortment

An epicurean is someone who seek pleasure from the consumption of goods, in particular food and beverages.  If you are an epicurean of Cognac, you are most likely an epicurean of other things such as cheese, wine, coffee, perhaps mushrooms or else, one has only to imagine what it could be.

Personally, and perhaps because it is holiday seasons I cannot help to think of chocolate. If you are interested in cognac you must like chocolate too - I assume.

A great number of people are turning to premium bakers as well to get these amazing desserts they can only get from top-end restaurants. With this economy, they may not be able to afford going out to expensive but rather purchase and indulge affordable desserts directly from the bakery which maybe producing for highly rated restaurants. Or  chefs from deluxe restaurants may starts their own small business focusing on exquisite bakery or precisely "patisserie" to supply refined consumers.

In America, the bakery world is changing and more refined artisan breads and baked goods are being sought after by consumers. This trend is also happening with artisan chocolate makers, called "chocolatier" who are producing chocolates confection closer to jewelry making. Belgium and Switzerland are evident drivers of this phenomenon with famous brands such as Godiva or Leonidas. But here again, like in Cognac, the interest of the epicurean is directed towards the "boutique" chocolate producers such as Pierre Marcolini, Gilles Desplanches, Wittamer, etc... using cocoa from Madagascar, Venezuela and even Cuba.

Cognac Paradis Gilles Desplanches

More Info: see for instance, http://tinyurl.com/8a4fck3

If you are a chocolate epicurean you are looking for uniqueness and small-batch production. I often like cognacs which have chocolate nuances. I also like my cognac with dark chocolates and chocolate ice creams. I like nuts such as pecans, and other standards like almonds. Perhaps, my favorite are candied chestnuts but these are hard to find.

In a future posting I will go over the cognac tastings and different tastings wheels available. What is interesting is to look at and compare other tasting wheels such as the one provided to chocolate or coffee lovers. You will see there are many similarities with cognac.

Martell Cognac Event for 2012: Cordon Bleu 100th Anniversary

Martell, the second largest cognac producer and the oldest Cognac House among the top 4 largest house is about to celebrate a very important anniversary. 100th! In 1912, the company launched a new cognac which quickly became an iconic product and which is still today considered by many people as the archetype of premium cognacs. It is revered in Asia and it is very unique in its assemblage/formula and flavor profile. One of its secret is the use of cognacs originated from the Borderies region of production in Cognac. This is very much of a house characteristic for Martell as much as the assemblage of Grande and Petite Champagne is a trait of Remy Martin, the Borderies assemblage belong to Martell.
When you analyze the Martell Cordon Bleu product with today's "marketing eyes" one would imagine that it would be a project that would be quickly abandoned. Most of the new products being made are concentrating on the production of modern cognacs supported by trendy packagings. Cordon Bleu like Remy Martin 1738 are offering "old school" looks which are often perceived as evidence of "authenticity" by consumers. Hence, authenticity is an important characteristic for cognacs.
http://youtu.be/1MCxIdk6ZYw

Grammy-Award Winner and Cognac Connoisseur ‘Barefoot Diva’ Cesaria Evora has Past Away

Cognac Paradis Cesaria Evora

Singer Cesária Evora, nicknamed the "Barefoot Diva" because of her propensity to perform without shoes, has died aged 70 this past Saturday 17th December 2011.

Evora started performing Portuguese-creole songs when she was 16 years old in the bars of her hometown, Mindelo. World recognition came later in her life when at the age of 47, in 1988 she released her debut album, La Diva Aux Pieds Nus (The Barefoot Diva), which launched her career as a recording artist.

Evora grew up in poverty in the port city of Mindelo and often refused to wear shoes while performing in support of the homeless and poor women and children of her country.

Her 1995 album, Cesária, was released in more than a dozen countries and brought Evora her first Grammy nomination, leading to a tour of major concert halls around the world and resulting in album sales in the millions.

She later won the "Best World Music Album" Grammy in 2004 for her album Voz D'Amor.

The Grammy-winning singer, who was forced to retire in September due to ill health, passed away in the hospital on her native island of São Vicente in Cape Verde. Cape Verde is a republic made of 10 Islands set off on the west coast of Africa where people speak Portuguese.

Evora was famous for singing blues-influenced music and often recognized  for her interest in the enjoyment of the finest cognacs.

We regretfully say our goodbyes to a Diva.

Source: Photo: Silvio Tanaka

Cognac Glasses Make Very Good Music Instruments

What do cognac and classical music have in common?

Perhaps the cognac glasses! How come? Have you heard of Glass Harp?

Glass made instruments appeared for the first time in the 12th century in China. Today, a Polish couple are using cognac snifters to play the most difficult classical music pieces from Bach to Tchaikovsky. Some people may prefer Harry Potter or Star Wars themes but because today's is Hanukkha and this weekend it will be Christmas I thought it would be more appropriate to have something like "Sugar Plum Fairy" by P. Tchaikovsky.

ENJOY WITHOUT MODERATION THIS TIME!

Learn more from http://www.glassharp.eu