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Frapin is a cognac house with a long history, old traditions and at the same time not alien to technological innovations. The company’s products are exported to 75 countries, mainly to Europe, while a fairly significant part, about 10%, is sold in France itself. This figure exceeds the average for the Cognac region by 3-4 times. The peculiarity of the cognacs of this brand is that they are made only from Grande Champagne spirits, the best Charente sub-region.
Brand history. Unlike other companies that were founded through the efforts of one talented and charismatic leader, Frapin was created by the joint efforts of an entire family. The Frapins, whose history can be traced back to the middle of the 1696th century, were engaged in viticulture and winemaking. Later, they excelled in the art of distillation and began to produce cognac. The starting point of the annals of the House is considered to be XNUMX, when Pierre Frapin was granted the castle of Fontpino and vineyards in Grand Champagne for impeccable service at the royal court. The family business has been inherited from century to century, today representatives of the twentieth generation manage the cognac house.
There are many famous people among the members of the family: it is enough to recall the son of Anna-Katarina Frapin, the humanist writer Francois Rabelais, the author of the literary encyclopedia of manners of the European Renaissance.
House Frapin paid tribute to the great ancestor, releasing one of the most expensive cognacs in the world in honor of his 500th anniversary. The drink is placed in a crystal decanter from Baccarat, decorated with images of Renaissance symbols made of gold. The blend includes the rarest spirits obtained from grapes grown before the invasion of phylloxera.
Today, the Maison is directed by Geneviève Cointreau, great-great-granddaughter of the Maison’s founder. Since 1991, the company has been committed to an ecological approach to production, seeking to minimize the negative impact that agricultural practices have on the environment. For example, in 2011, Frapin invested in a huge 30 hectoliter basin, a tool for treating wastewater from copper and organic matter.
Like some other cognac houses, Frapin expands the business through diversification and in 2004 created a collection of selective perfumes. The key notes of the brand’s perfumes – dried fruits, spices, spices, tree resin, leather – reveal a clear family resemblance to a bouquet of expensive exclusive cognac.
Awards
Brand cognacs annually replenish the collection of medals, for which a separate room is allocated in a small museum. All awards are stored here, from the diploma of the New Orleans exhibition in 1885 and the prize of the World Exhibition in 1910 to the latest.
World Spirits Competition, San Francisco:
- 2007 – silver medal (Frapin Cognac VS);
- 2010 – Double gold medal (Frapin Cognac XO, Chateau Fontpinot Grande Champagne);
- 2011 – gold (Frapin VIP Grand Champagne Cognac XO) and silver (Frapin Grand Champagne Cognac XO, Chateau de Font Pinot) medals;
- 2012 – gold (Frapin Grand Champagne Cognac XO, Chateau de Fontpinot) and 2 silver (Frapin Cognac Luxe VS, Frapin Grand Champagne Cognac VSOP) medals;
- 2014 – double gold medal (Frapin Chateau de Fontpinot XO).
International Wine and Spirits Competition, Лондон:
- 2013 – silver medal (Pierre Frapin Cognac Grande Champagne Millesimee 1991 20 YO);
- 2014 – Silver medal (Frapin Grande Champagne Cigar Blend Single Estate);
- 2015 – gold (Frapin Millesime 1988) and 3 silver (Frapin Domaine Chateau Fontpinot XO Grande Champagne, Frapin Multimillesime 1986-1988-1991, Frapin VSOP Grande Champagne) medals;
- 2016 – Gold Outstanding (Frapin VIP XO) in the category Cognac – XO, Silver Outstanding (Frapin VSOP) in the category Cognac – VSOP, 2 silver (Frapin Extra, Frapin 1991 20 YO) medals.
International Spirits Challenge:
- 2016 – 4 silver medals (Frapin Extra, Frapin VIP XO, Frapin VSOP, Millesime 1991 20 ans d’age).
The World Cognac Awards:
- 2016 – Frapin Multimillesime N°6 is recognized as the “Best Cognac in the World”, Frapin VSOP won in the VSOP cognac category.
The Cognac Masters:
- 2014 – gold medal (Frapin Chateau de Fontpinot XO);
- 2015 – 3 золотые (Frapin VSOP, Frapin Single Vintage 1988 25 Year Old, Multi Millesime No. 6);
- 2016 – the highest award Master (Frapin VSOP), 2 gold (Frapin Extra, Frapin VIP XO) medals;
- 2017 – gold (Frapin VSOP) and silver (Frapin VIP XO) medals.
Types of cognac Frapin
Frapin VSOP Grande Champagne, 40%
It is produced, like all cognacs of the brand, exclusively from its own spirits obtained from Premier Cru grapes grown in Grand Champagne. The average age used in the eau de vie blend is 10 years. The drink has a woody-balsamic bouquet, against which chocolate-honey notes, shades of dried fruits, jasmine and vanilla are revealed. The taste is characterized by softness and oiliness, tones of sandalwood, dark chocolate, and nut cake are felt.
In 2017, at the leading tasting competition, the Ultimate Spirits Challenge was rated 97 points and awarded the “Extraordinary. Absolute recommendations.”
Frapin VS Luxury Grande Champagne Premier Cru du Cognac, 40%
The youngest in the brand line: the average age of spirits originating only from Grand Champagne cru is 6 years. The bouquet is dominated by honey-vanilla and floral shades, gradually turning into the smell of apricots and quince. Although the drink is devoid of sugar, the flavors create a feeling of fullness and sweetness. The finish is long, with growing notes of blooming linden and oak wood.
Frapin VIP XO Grande Champagne, Premier Grand Cru Du Cognac, 40%
An aged cognac for special occasions, created from spirits of the noble sub-region of Grand Champagne. Mirabelle plum and nutmeg set the tone in the range of scents, supported by subtle woody nuances. The taste holds many surprises, it consistently reveals the nuances of dried fruits, chocolate biscuit and candied fruit.
According to blender Patrice Pivto, in this complex and multifaceted drink, everyone will find their own aromatic associations. In 2016, the cognac was awarded several prestigious awards: The Cognac Masters gold medal, “Excellent. Highest Recommendations” at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
Frapin Multimillesime No 6, 40%
Cognac continues the popular series, released in a limited edition of 1270 numbered bottles. Assembled by cellar master Patrice Pivto from three vintage spirits, each of which adds its own notes to the bouquet. The merit of the 1986 millesime is shades of ripe figs and grapefruit juice, 1988 shares woody tones, from 1991 the blend got nuances of citruses and grape seeds. The taste is sweetish, with a wave of old oak, lemon custard, notes of old leather gradually appearing.
Cuvee Pierre Frapin 1888, 40%
Collection cognac, released in a limited series of 1888 bottles. Dedicated to the memory of Pierre Frapin, who in 1889 won the Gold Medal at the World Exhibition in Paris. Today this medal is kept in the estate in Segonzac. The blend uses spirits obtained from the Folle Blanche grape, which is now practically not cultivated. Aroma and taste make up a harmonious whole, the bouquet is dominated by fresh notes of citrus fruits and the sweetness of yellow raisins. The crystal drink decanter is made by the famous company Christalleries Royales de Champagne, decorated with a spiral of 24 carat gold. The wooden box has a secret compartment containing a bottle of perfume shaped like an antique pocket watch.
