Distilleries en Fête - 03 Dec. 2011-23 Feb. 2012
Winter is when the cognac-making begins - the season’s fermented wine is distilled twice, producing the eau de vie that is then aged in oak barrels to become the world-famous spirit.
And to celebrate the quality of the smaller producers of the region, about 40 of them open their doors to the public between November to March for Distilleries en Fête, formerly known as Les Bonnes Chauffes.
It is a wonderfully personal festival as it allows people to meet and chat to the cognac producers through a variety of visits, from taking breakfast with a producer and their family to a tour through the vines in a jeep.
The visits are broken down into three types – those that are more social (such as the breakfast), exploratory (hot air ballooning above the vines) and technical (a tour of a distillery) so you can choose what appeals to you.
To find out exactly what’s on offer, pick up a copy of the Distilleries en Fête programme found in the region’s tourist offices or take a look at the website www.cognacetapes.com. In it are marked those producers who speak English – ask for an English tour when you reserve your visit.
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