Cognac school
29 mai 2006
At the end of June Véronique Lemoine is launching the « Ecole des cognacs » which will offer three modules : qualities of eaux-de-vie, scents and the effects of aging on savors and vintages.

Hennessy meets graduate approval
24 mai 2006
According to a Figaro survey, young graduates from business schools place LVMH (including Hennessy) at the top of their list of companies where they would like to work.

SVG calling for price rises
24 mai 2006
The winegrowers union (SVG) is calling for a rise in the price of eau-de-vie (+4 to 5%). Letters to this effect have been sent to their clients in the brokerage business. The SGV is holding its AGM on 9 June in Cognac.

Lacarrière becomes Chevalier
24 mai 2006
Jean-Pierre Lacarrière, director general of Rémy-Cointreau, and president of the Bnic, has been made a Chevalier in the National Order of Merit.

Semaine du cognac
24 mai 2006
The cognac week in Poitou-Charentes takes place from 1 to 8 June. Events and/or tastings will be organized in 800 establishments in the region. Only 4% of sales of cognac take place in France.

Pernod-Ricard ambitious
24 mai 2006
Pernod-Ricard intends to dethrone Diageo as the world leader in wines and spirits. The group claims to be a year ahead of schedule in integrating Allied Domecq (including Martell) and has said it is ready to make further acquisitions, notably in champagne (it is fourth in the world, with sales of 300 million bottles per year and wants to become number 2 behind LVMH). Lionel Breton, head of Martell cognacs, is very pleased with the 49% progression in sales of cognac in China from 2002 to 2005. In another move, the Corrèze-based company Saury has just bought the Martell cooperage in Cognac. The 10 employees are being kept on.

Pineau committee : Claire Floch receives award
22 mai 2006
Claire Floch, the director of the pineau committee, has been made a Chevalier in the National Order of Merit.

Cognac : 590,000 hectoliters of pure alcohol
22 mai 2006
This winter, winegrowers in the Charente region distilled 590,000 hl of pure alcohol compared to a estimate of 545,000 hl. The quantity normally available for vinification (QNV) should be known on 28 June. The Bnic plans to invest 2.8 million euros in promoting cognac.

Good figures for cognac
22 mai 2006
The Bnic (Bureau national de l’interprofession du cognac) trade body has reported a 7% rise in exports in the 12 months to the end of April. Outputs rose by 4.3%. The Bnic has approved a budget for 2006-2007 of 11.6 million (+1.13%). In another move, 10,000 bottles of counterfeit cognac have been destroyed in Belgium.

Ricard has its eye on Russian vodka
22 mai 2006
Pernod-Ricard is in negotiations with the Russian firm FPK Soyuzplodoimport, a public group which is contesting the distribution of Stolichnaya vodka in certain markets. Ricard acquired its distribution outside Russia during the takeover of Allied Domecq. Pernod-Ricard may well take over the brand completely in order to settle the dispute.