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Cortel is a French brandy created by the old cognac house Pascal Combeau. Currently, the brand is managed by the Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits group of companies, specializing in the production of wines and spirits. MBWS is present in Europe (France, Spain, Poland, Bulgaria, Lithuania) and in the USA through brands such as Gautier cognac, Sobieski and Krupnik vodkas, William Peel whiskey, Marie Brizard range of liqueurs, Moncigale wines, Marques del Puerto, San Jose tequila . Brandy Cortel is most popular in Russia and Canada.
Historical information
The history of the cognac house dates back to 1858, when Pascal Pierre Combeau registered the company Pascal Combeau & C°. Initially, the work was focused on conquering the domestic market, and as this goal was achieved, Kombo began to supply his cognacs abroad. The solid experience and well-established business connections of the founder of the company contributed to the success – for 25 years he was a municipal councilor, a consultant to the Bank of France, and held chairs in the Commercial Court and the city council of Cognac.
Public duties did not prevent him from taking care of the commercial interests of the enterprise. Expanding production, Combo acquired the Bel-Air estate with large vineyards, where he experimented with grafting French vines on the roots of American grape varieties that are more resistant to phylloxera. The grown-up sons Pascal Combo Jr., Marcel Pascal and Pierre-Jules Pascal also entered the family business as partners. In 1912, the house began to produce brandy Cortel, using spirits obtained from the Montil and Jurançon grapes.
Since the mid-20s of the XX century, the company began to converge with the cognac house Gautier – at first it consisted in the joint use of production facilities. In 1972, the house of Pascal Combo was acquired by the Gemaco concern, which at that time already included the house of Gauthier. In the mid-90s, Gemaco became part of the Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits group of companies, which in 2008 faced serious financial difficulties. At the end of 2018, Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits announced the signing of an agreement with the European Financial Holding Company (COFEPP), the largest shareholder of the company that owns the La Martiniquaise-Bardinet group.
Awards
International Wine & Spirit Competition, Лондон:
- 2010, 2012 – Silver (Cortel Napoleon VSOP);
- 2011 – Gold (Cortel Napoleon VSOP);
- 2014 – bronze (Cortel Napoleon VSOP) medal;
- 2015 – silver (Cortel XO), bronze (Cortel Napoleon VSOP);
- 2017 – 2 silver (Cortel Napoleon VSOP, Cortel XO) medals.
International Spirits Challenge, Лондон:
- 2018 – silver (Cortel XO), bronze (Cortel Napoleon VSOP).
World Spirits Competition, San Francisco:
- 2013 – gold (Cortel Napoleon VSOP) medal;
- 2014 – bronze (Cortel XO Superior) medal;
- 2015 – 2 silver (Cortel Napoleon VSOP, Cortel XO Superior) medals;
- 2016 – Gold (Cortel XO Superior), Silver (Cortel Napoleon VSOP) medals;
- 2018 – Silver (Cortel Napoleon VSOP), bronze (Cortel XO Superior) medals.
ProdExpo:
- 2013 – Prodexpo Star (Cortel XO Superior), gold (Cortel Napoleon) medal.
Interesting Facts
In the building of the town hall in Cognac, the walls are decorated with marble plaques with the names of all the mayors of the city. And many surnames testify that the role of the mayor was often performed by representatives of famous cognac houses – among them Hennessy, Otard, Delamen, Hardy, members of the Martel dynasty were twice elected to this post.
Pascal Combeau Jr., the son of the founder of Pascal Combeau, who led the city in 1912-17, also contributed. In 1918, to honor the memory of Combo’s father and son, the city council renamed the street where the company’s head office was located Rue Pascal-Combeau. Currently, the headquarters of the Meukow cognac house is located here.
Types of brandy Cortel
Cortel Napoleon VSOP, 40%
Brandy is produced using cognac technology with distillation in a classic copper alambik. Alcohols are aged in oak barrels of unusually small size: this ensures better air exchange. The main visual tone of the drink is dark gold, with glimpses of mahogany. Notes of raisins, grape leaves, fresh cut wood, white pepper are distinguishable in the bouquet. It is easy to drink, showing moderate strength and harmonious tannins. It is bottled in traditional bottles with an elongated neck, indicating the relationship of the drink with Napoleon cognacs.
Cortel XO, 40%
Old brandy, which may well “turn over” cognac fans to its side. Color – dark amber or strongly brewed tea with lime blossom. A rich flavor and aroma range is provided by a long exposure of alcohols and double distillation with sediment. The bouquet consists of many notes: dessert wine, pear confiture, vanilla, worn leather. The taste warms without burning, revealing new shades – from honey sweetness to spicy peppercorns. To taste all the nuances, the original drink should be drunk as a digestif.
Cortel XO Superior, 40%
The drink attracts attention already with its “rim” – brandy, reminiscent of old gold in its shade, is bottled in exquisite octagonal bottles. The bouquet combines dryness and fruity-sweet tones – passion fruit, figs, honey. The taste follows the aroma, enriching itself with notes of prunes, hazelnuts, oak, tobacco leaves as it develops. The aftertaste brings new discoveries, delighting with the play of shades for quite a long time.
