The US office of the Bureau National Interprofessionnel of Cognac organised its first annual Cognac Mixology trip on 12-15 March 2007. The objective of the trip was twofold:
- to provide background on Cognac to a group of cocktail experts, and
- to provide expertise on mixology to BNIC and Cognac professionals.
Five mixologists and two specialised journalists were invited to spend four days in the town of Cognac to explore the terroirs and the production of Cognac, as well as taste a wide range of eaux-de-vie with professionals. The grand finale of the trip was a mixology session held at the BNIC’s offices to demonstrate and discuss how Cognacs can be used in cocktails in front of an audience of local producers, restaurateurs, barmen, and press. A lively discussion followed on how to marry fresh juices, liquors and other spirits to Cognacs in order to create cocktails that transcend all of their ingredients. The use of fresh ingredients, molecular mixology and seasonal cocktails were explored at length.
The participants in this first trip were:
- Brian Van Flandern, founder of Creative Cocktail Consultants, currently consulting for Bemmelman’s at the Carlisle Hotel, NYC. Formerly of Per Se restaurant where he developed the restaurant’s cocktail lists; awarded the second best bartender in the world in 2006 in the BOLS 200 Masters International Championship;
- Eben Freeman, Bar and Books restaurant, NYC, formerly of WD-50 and opening restaurant Tailor with Sam Mason; Spirits Consultant renowned for his knowledge of molecular gastronomy;
- James Meehan, Gramercy Tavern and Pegu Club, NYC; Deputy Editor for the 2007 Food & Wine Magazine Cocktail Book;
- Junior Merino, international consultant, contributor to CocktailTimes.com, formerly of The Modern restaurant, NYC, First Prize winner in the 2005 International Bar Show;
- Gary Regan, cocktail expert, author and educator, publisher of ArdentSpirits.com;
- Yuri Kato, publisher of CocktailTimes.com and regular cocktail competition judge. The recipes developed during the trip as well as pictures will soon be on the site.
Tentatively, the next Cognac Mixology trip will take place in February 2008.
The Bureau National Interprofessionnel of Cognac oversees all matters pertaining to the Cognac Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC). The Cognac region of production was legally established in 1909 as a result of the joint efforts of the local wine-growers and shippers. It was followed by the establishment of the Bureau National. Today, its mission is to develop and promote Cognac all over the world and to represent the interests of the professionals involved in the Cognac production and trade: wine-growers, shippers and all those whose activities are tied to the production of Cognac such as barrel makers, nurseries, brokers, etc. With a staff of about 100 people, BNIC is involved in activities including scientific research, economics, marketing, communication, legal assistance, defense of the appellation, quality and inventory control, etc. BNIC works closely with the French and EU administrations, international organisations, scientific institutions, national and international media, in order to accomplish its mission. Aside from the US, BNIC has offices in Germany, Japon and the UK. Offices in China and Russia are under consideration. For more information: www.Cognac.fr.
