PETITE CHAMPAGNE COGNAC

This Cognac Petite Champagne is the result of a passionate research and can be considered a rarity. Distilled in 1983 from Uni Blanc grapes with the classic Charentaise discontinuous still, aged for 38 years in French Limousin oak barrels, it was bottled in 2021 by Cuspid Selections. Le domaine de Comte Pierre, now inactive for years, has never marketed under its own brand. We were immediately struck by the intense aroma and characteristic, balanced and persistent taste.

This Petite Champagne Cognac represents the spirit of the de Joyet family. Count Pierre de Joyet was born into the French nobility in 1921 and grew up in the castle of Ruffec, one of the many properties of the family. One of his favourite properties was a thirty-hectare vineyard in Jurignac, Petite Champagne.

The history of this family is ancient and Pierre’s father, Henri, has always been involved in the cycles of harvesting and distillation in his native Charente. Upon Henri’s death in the 1960s, Pierre and his younger sister, Thérèse, inherited the Jurignac estate. This cognac dates back to this transition period. Although they had no idea how to grow vines, nor how to distil wine to make cognac, they were sure they had a magical terroir.

Pierre lived until 2014 and died at 92. He left the care of these precious vineyards to the Glemet brothers, who had taken care of him and his vineyards.

The brothers planned to reopen the beautiful de Joyet family home with a brand name in honour of Pierre and his noble ancestors. Unfortunately their health did not allow it. Their renovation of the family manor, as well as the vineyards that surround it, remain as proof of the friendship between Pierre de Joyet and the Glemet brothers.

We bottled this Cognac in 2021 convinced that it was not only an exceptional spirit but that it was a treasure also for its history.