A Discovery Exclusive: Cognac Camus

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

French writer Victor Hugo once called Cognac, "the liquor of the gods." But did you know that Cognac is a type of brandy that's made from double distilling wine and aging it in wooden casks? Then why is it called Cognac and not brandy? According to regulations, if it's produced in the Cognac area of France then it must be labeled Cognac.

One of the most accomplished makers of fine Cognac is the 153-year-old company called Camus Cognac. Five generations have perfected each Cognac recipe and the Master Blender workshop offers a look behind the craftsmanship that goes into every bottle.

Your day-long adventure begins as you board your coach at the pier. Sit back and relax as you travel south through the peaceful countryside and rolling green hills to the 9th century town of Cognac.

A flourishing center for wine dating back to the 3rd century A.D. traders found it difficult to transport huge casks of wine, which took up a lot of space on ships. But when local wine producers discovered that wine double-distilled in copper stills and aged in wooden casks transformed into brandy required less room a new industry was born.

Once your coach arrives in Cognac you'll continue on to the estate of Camus Cognac, a sprawling chateau with 125 acres of prime vineyards.

Upon reaching Camus, you'll disembark and meet your host who will give you a tour of the cellar. As you pass row after row of oak barrels you'll learn that Camus begins making Cognac with grapes from the family's very own vines (most large producers do not own their vineyards).

Then, you'll discover that once the grapes are harvested, pressed and fermented, the base wine for Cognac is put through a double distillation, which creates a smoother, more refined eau de vie (French for water of life).

The next step in the process is called barrel aging. The eau de vie rests in the barrels for years, acquiring from the wood some of its golden hues and a variety of complex flavors that range from fruity, floral, spicy to oak.

A cellar master must then keep track of all the brandies aging in the cellar, monitor their development and painstakingly blend their flavors and aromas to create a satisfying and worthy Cognac.

After the tour step into the shoes of the Camus cellar master and create your own unique bottle of Cognac. You'll be directed to a table set with beakers and after filling it up with liquor from various barrels you'll learn to properly blend and taste your own creation. Then, it will be recorded into Camus' official registry book so you can re-order a bottle of your very own Cognac any time.

At the end of this fascinating adventure, you'll reboard your coach for the scenic ride back to the pier.

Special Notes:

Minimum number of participants is 15. Maximum is 20.

Passengers must be 18 years old to participate in the Cognac blending.