NEW WEBSITE FOR THE BNIC: CULTURE COGNAC

Culture Cognac Website

CULTURE COGNACis a site managed by the French government (Bureau National Interprofessionel du Cognac, BNIC). It offers basic information about what is cognac and how it can be enjoyed.

"Sharing the culture around Cognac to connoisseurs and purchasing advisors throughout the world… such is the philosophy behind this magazine, created by the BNIC (association of Cognac professionals) and co-edited by the experts and celebrities that make up the ICS (International Cognac Summit) community. Since 2008, they have improved upon and gathered around innovative communication projects to transmit their knowledge and promote the Cognac designation around the world."

This site is easy to navigate and attractive. Check it out!

Source: Cognac Culture

COGNAC COCKTAILS IN OCTOBER 2018 IN LOS ANGELES

Cognac Classic Crawl USA Los Angeles 2018 by BNIC

Cognac Classic Crawl in Los Angeles is organized by BNIC.
Taste Classic Cocktails with the Spirit that Started It All that is 'cognac' at 5 of Los Angeles’ coolest bars.

At each of these bars, you’ll have the opportunity to taste a rendition of a classic and experience why Cognac captivated the stirrers and shakers of the world’s first cocktail-makers.

By purchasing a ticket, you’ll get one cocktail at each location. Check the announcement and registration below.

See, EventBrite

2017 COGNAC HARVEST IS PLANNED ON 10TH OF SEPTEMBER SAYS BNIC

Cognac landscape photo

Harvest was initially expected on 15th Sept. but it has been moved earlier to the 10th September according to Bureau National Inteprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC). Average date for harvest is historically approx. 23rd Sept.

The BNIC expects that the 2017 will be the smallest harvest since 1945 due to various weather conditions and in particular the late frost in May.
In late August 2017, the average acidity was 11.1 g/L H2SO4 for a  pH of 2.8 and with a potential alcohol % of 7.4%.

The area of the Cognac AOC not damaged by frost can expect 110 to 120 hecto liter per hectar of wine, whereas the frozen vineyard areas will only make 40 to 50 hl/ha, which will make a potential harvest on average for 2017 of 80-90 hl/ha.

Normally, the average is over 100 hl/ha, with an average for the past 10 years being of 107 hl/ha.
This is caused by the lower number of grapes per bunch with 37.5 grapes per bunch compared to the average of 53.5 grapes for the past 10 years.

Surprisingly, the grapes bunch weighted about 420g which is well above the 10 years average of 357g.
The BNIC recommends harvesting grapes with a rate of alcohol of 8.5 to 10.5% for an total acidity above 7.5 g/l H2SO4.

Source: Vitisphere

BNIC IS HIRING TEUWEN PR AGENCY TO PROMOTE COGNAC

Teuwen and BNIC

Food and beverage PR specialist Teuwen has been named 2017 agency of record for Bureau National Interprofessional du Cognac (BNIC), which acts on behalf of all the Cognac growers and firms of the region of production, as well as Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance in California and Long Island Wine Council in New York.

These are the first spirit Geographic Indication and American wine associations to join the agency’s client roster since being founded in 1995 by Stephanie and Geert Teuwen.

Current clients include: Amy’s Kitchen, Bordeaux Wines, Champagne Laurent-Perrier, Côtes de Bordeaux, Elena Walch, Esporão Wines, Falesco, Le Botaniste, Le Pain Quotidien, Rhône Valley Wines, Saint-Émilion-Pomerol-Fronsac and Wines of Alsace.

Started in New York City, Teuwen branched out this past year with the opening of an office in the San Francisco Bay area.

Please Teuwen help!

DECLINING COGNAC SHIPMENTS IN 2014

Global Cognac shipments declined markedly by volume and value in the year through June, with growth in the U.S. unable to offset continuing woes for the category in China. According to the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC), shipments fell 7% by volume to 156 million bottles in the 12 months through June, with value down 10% to €2.2 billion ($2.85b).

Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac BNIC Logo

A 19% slump in sales to the Far East—where shipment value amounted to €1 billion ($1.3b)—was blamed primarily on the ongoing government austerity drive in China. Cognac sales to Europe also declined, falling 12%, even as Eastern Europe posted volume progress. Meanwhile, shipments to North America—led by top Cognac export market the U.S., which accounted for 54 million bottles—delivered 6% growth by both volume and value.

Source: http://www.shankennewsdaily.com

Winners of the 2012 ExperienceCognac.com Essay and Cocktail Competition

I feel I know a lot about cognac. Do you? How would I know?
Let's take the quiz!
The Cognac Trade Board (BNIC) has a cognac website that is outstanding www.cognac.fr
It allows you to learn and better understand the details behind the production, history, mixology, and uniqueness of Cognac. They also offer a quiz to test your knowledge on the subject.
http://www.experiencecognac.com/quiz.php
This quiz had a competition for bartenders only that just ended! The ExperienceCognac.com Essay and Cocktail Competition winners were eligible for the Grand Prize* - a Scholarship to the BAR 5-Day Program and a free trip to the region to experience Cognac in person.

Five bartenders have been chosen to compete in the live finals to be held May 15th in New York City during the Manhattan Cocktail Classic. Benjamin Augustine from Sepia Restaurant in Chicago, Brian Matthys from Le Bernardin in New York City, Joshua Pearson from Sepia Restaurant in Chicago, and Ezra Star from Drink in Boston will compete in a live cocktail competition for a chance to win a trip to Cognac, France to become a certified Cognac Connoisseur.

This competition was designed by six leading spirits and cocktails experts: Steve Olson, Andy Seymour, David Wondrich, F. Paul Pacult, Doug Frost, and Dale DeGroff. Experience Cognac leads bartenders on an exploration of Cognac and also offers tips, cocktail recipes and food pairing suggestions.

Follow and find out more at:
www.experiencecognac.com
www.Facebook.com/CognacManiac
http://goodspiritsnews.wordpress.com

Philippe Coste, A Successful Career In the Cognac Region!

Since Bernard Guionnet passed away in April 2011, Philippe Coste, the President of Cognac Meukow is the new interim President of the Bureau National Interprofessionel du Cognac. In September 26th 2011, he was elected President of the Union of Cognac Houses [Syndicat des maisons de cognac (SMC)]. These 3 presidencies are remarkable levels of achievements as well as many difficult responsibilities to balance. Patrick Piana CEO of Cognac Rémy Martin will serve as vice-president of the SMC.
Cognac Meukow is part of the Compagnie de Guyenne. Philippe Coste is a very representative president as his company is made of 85 employees, and it is family owned and operated.

Source: Photo: Cognac Meukow

Source: News: www.charentelibre.fr