The most authentic
The totally unpretentious Boinaud House invites to discover its vines and its distillery. The advantage is that it is one of the rare firms to host everything on the same site. I suggest you do this circuit during grape-harvesting, in September, when the grape is being processed, or even during the distillation period from October to the end of March. A wonderfully-immersive experience.
140, rue de la Bonne-Chauffe, 16130 Angeac-Champagne. Reservation: +33 (0)5 45 83 72 72. www.boinaud.com
The most original
It’s not a house in the real sense of the term, but XOmadame has imagined ingenious ways of proposing bespoke circuits and stays to discover Cognac. For example, you can cruise along the vineyards in a Citroën 2 CV, take part in Qigong classes – traditional Chinese wellness discipline – in the middle of the vines, or even fly over the area in a hot air balloon.
Booking on +33 (0)6 08 85 95 42 www.xomadame.fr
The most recent
The Martell House has recently inaugurated two new visit experiences, one known as Martell Craftsmanship, invites you to actually bottle one of the firm’s cognacs. Martell Borderies, the second visit, centre stages Les Borderies, a small, highly-particular vineyard area located north-west of Cognac. The little something extra? You can leave with a special customized Borderies bottle.
7, place Edouard-Martell, 16100 Cognac. Booking on www.martell.com
The most exclusive
Not for small budgets. The Louis XIII experience which Rémy Martin proposes is an exception at an exceptional price: €1,500. Over a period of 6 hours, all the most well-kept secrets, the most elaborate tastes of this eau-de-vie as well as places forbidden-to-the-public will be revealed. An exceptional circuit where refined luxury and crystal bottles take pride of place.
20, rue de la Société-Vinicole, 16100 Cognac. Booking on +33 (0)5 45 35 76 66.
www.remymartin.com/en-uk/visit-us
Excessive consumption of alcohol is harmful for your health, consume in moderation.
I grew up in Angoulême, along the banks of a long, peaceful river, the Charente, and close to Dordogne’s rolling landscapes, then pursued my route in Bordeaux where I studied and where I currently live. I split my life between my profession as a journalist for “Sud Ouest” and my passion, travelling.